The noise is kinda clanky, with a popping sound. The wire does not slip back into the water but rather slips down tighter in the spool. maybe I should respool my Cannon down riggers. when the downrigger pin broke I was tighting up the drag a bit when it just snapped and down went the ball. I had to spool the wire back on by hand. That I will never forget. After I got the ball into the boat I reached over and hit the up lever on the other downrigger and belive it or not the drag tention handle spun right off and fell into the water. Down went that ball. I had to get that one up by hand too. This is why I am so nervous about this situation going into this season.