Riviera Downriggers

[willfishforfood]

I have a pair of Riviera electric downriggers I'm going to use here in Washington State and wondering how well the motors hold up. They are old but like brand new. Everything works great and only thing there isn't a auto stop.

Thanks Steve

[sherman51]

back in the day they was as good as anything elce on the market. if they are in good shape now you should get many years of service out of them. just my opinion, and im sure there are some people that didnt like riviera. but the first riggers i ever had was riviera manuals. then i got laid off that fall and sold all my gear just before christmas, so we could have a good christmas for our kids. that spring when i went back to work i got a new set of penn manuals, then got laid off again that fall and sold them. the next spring i got some used big jons. i stayed with big jon manuals untill 3 yrs ago. and switched to big jon electrics. mostly because i got some awesome prices on the big jons i got. i got a set of sportsmans off ebay, one was a boat show display and the other one was new, i got them both for 425.00. then last year i got a set of pro tournaments with auto stop on auction with no reserve for 510.00 and 25.00 for shipping. then i had to pay alittle more for my second 2. but the first 2 didnt have rod holders or swivel bases, but i already had those. but i,ve heard good things about the riviera electrics back when all i could afford was manuals.

sherman

[Line Dancin]

they were a good rigger. The company is still in business so if you need parts you should be able to get them. http://www.rivieratrolling.com/products.html

[Fuddly]

I had some manual Rivieras on my first 2 boats. I prefer them over any manual out there. Never used the electrics but can't imagine they'd be any different from the manuals quality wise. Anything but big jons in my opinion.

[willfishforfood]

I have Big Jons manuals on the boat now but the Riviera were $125 for the pair and will only use them in the salt 2 or 3 time a year

[Nailer]

Steve, I am looking forward to some of the great pictures of your pacific north west Salmon. God luck this year.

[willfishforfood]

Thanks. Hope the kids activity's aren't as busy this summer but sometimes you have to go with the flow. I only have a 16' boat and wind/waves dictate if I fish or not but keep looking at some used walk arounds and might have to dive in.

[Rascal Trophy Fishing]

Great post Aaron, thought Riviera was gone long ago, but you revived my interest. Good luck Steve, let us know how they work for you.

[willfishforfood]

I have a soft spot Riviera Rigger as they were my first one's I owned. Looks like I need on clutch also. I have wire on one a and braid on the second one. I like braid but not when I have too many lines out. Here we can only use one rod per person. So most of my fishing is in The Columbia River or smaller streams So getting some downrigger time will be a great change and make me feel at home on the big pond.

[willfishforfood]

Clutch is fine and the other parts I need are on the way.

Thank You Riviera Trolling Systems http://www.rivieratrolling.com/ for all the help.

Steve

[willfishforfood]

It has been two years and they work great and rival and other rigger I have used. Haven't used them in the salt but worked great in the upper lakes and Res. here in Washington State I put 48" arms on the and will be adding one down the middle this winter.