Scotty #1173 Power Grip Plus Line Release, with 48" leader is the critical link between the downrigger and the fishing rod. If it does not perform properly you will lose both valuable fishing time and fish. The fishing line is gripped between the soft pads with variable release tension attained by moving the line in or out of the jaws. The line release is attached to either the weight or the cable. Patented "tension adjuster" doubles the holding power.