Abstract: An accessory for use with the cable of a downrigger for positioning the fishing line at a predetermined depth while trolling. The downrigger cable extends through the accessory body which includes a roller for engaging the cable during cable and weight retrieval and a cord attached to the body permits the downrigger weight to be pulled inboard. Additionally, the accessory includes a lower region shaped to engage stacked fishing line releases mounted on the cable to dislodge the releases as they engage the accessory to prevent wear of the release pads.

Abstract: A fish line release consisting of a pair of elongated jaw members interconnected at one end and having free ends movable between open and closed positions biased toward the closed position by a spring. Resilient fish line engaging pads affixed to the free ends releasably retain a fishing line and alignment projections formed on the jaw members assure alignment of the fishing line with the pads when "loading" the release and also restrain the jaw member free ends from relative lateral displacement. The pads are attached to the jaw members by adhesive which is received within recesses which aid in interlocking and bonding the adhesive to the jaw members, and the jaw members include stops which prevent overstressing the spring when squeezing the jaw members to the open position.