Scotty Prawn Puller Review

This post was originally written in 2013 and has been updated for 2026.

In 2013 I purchased a Scotty 2500 Prawn Puller for hauling my prawn traps. I have used it extensively since then, so this review is based on my own experience with the puller on the water.

One of the things I like most about the Scotty Prawn Puller is its compact size. It is similar in size and design to a Scotty downrigger, but with a much shorter boom. That makes it easy to store when it isn’t being used. On my Striper, I can slide it under the seats in the cuddy cabin.

Scotty 2500 Line Puller Specifications

• 12-volt electric motor
• Pulls one crab trap or up to four prawn traps
• Retrieval speed of 120 feet per minute
• Accommodates 1/4-inch to 3/8-inch line
• Stainless steel and composite construction
• Designed for recreational use

The Scotty 2500 Line Puller comes with a two-year warranty for the original purchaser against defects in workmanship and materials when used for lifting non-commercial traps.

For complete product specifications and warranty information, see the official Scotty Line Puller page.

Mounting the Scotty Prawn Puller

The Scotty Prawn Puller is easy to mount. I simply remove the 6-inch pin from my Scotty downrigger, remove the downrigger, and mount the prawn puller on the same base. The electrical cord uses the same connection as the Scotty downrigger, so it plugs directly into the existing Scotty outlet.

Pulling Prawn Traps

My prawning setup includes 450 feet of lead line, a 10 lb weight, and two Ladner-style prawn traps spaced about 50 feet apart. For most of the retrieve, the puller is lifting the weight of both traps, the lead line and the catch. I have had no problem pulling this setup with the Scotty, even when the traps are loaded with prawns.

If a trap gets hung up, or I need to stop the retrieve for any reason, I simply release the light hand tension on the line. The traction wheel loses its grip and the trap stops coming up. Applying a small amount of tension by hand engages the wheel again and the line continues coming in.

I’ve found the traction system works well with different types of trap line, including 3/8-inch nylon and 5/16-inch lead-core line. I’ve also used yellow polypropylene rope on my crab traps, and the puller handled it without a problem.

Scotty 2500 vs. Ace Brutus Line Puller

One difference between the Scotty 2500 and the Ace Brutus is the design of the boom and pulley system. I have not personally used the Ace Brutus, so my comparison is based on its design and watching YouTube videos rather than firsthand experience with the Ace.

The Scotty has a relatively short, low boom. When the trap reaches the surface it remains in the water beside the boat rather than being lifted higher alongside the boat. I haven’t found this to be a major problem, as it is easy enough to swing the trap aboard by hand.

Another difference is how the rope comes off the puller. With the Scotty, the line feeds out horizontally toward you. The Ace has a different pulley arrangement that directs the line downward, which appears better suited to coiling the line directly into a container.

With the Scotty, I initially dealt with this by coiling the line in large rings on the deck. This worked well when we were going to redeploy the traps right away. I later started winding my trap lines onto a garden hose reel, which keeps the line organized and reduces clutter on the deck.

After several years of using my Scotty, I did find one limitation with the pulley design on my early-production model. If the boat drifts or pivots while a trap is coming up, the angle of the rope can change. If the line is no longer coming straight into the pulley, it can jump off, so I need to pay attention to the boat’s position while retrieving the traps.

Scotty has since improved the design with a pivoting pulley on the current 2500 Line Puller. This appears to address the same issue I experienced with my older model, so it may be less of a concern on the current version.

Scotty Prawn Puller Storage Bag

I also use the Scotty storage bag for the puller and have found it to be a worthwhile accessory. The puller has some hard and sharp edges, so I don’t like storing it loose in the cuddy cabin where it could damage the upholstered seats.

The bag keeps the puller contained and makes it much easier to store in the cabin without worrying about damaging the upholstery. It also provides some protection for the puller while it is being stored or transported.

Is the Scotty Prawn Puller Worth It?

Overall, I have been very happy with the Scotty Prawn Puller. I particularly like its compact size, simple setup and the fact that it mounts on the same base and uses the same electrical connection as my Scotty downrigger.

My puller is an early-production model and, as noted above, the current version has an improved pivoting pulley design. Even with the limitation of the older pulley on mine, the puller has served me well for many years. I would have no problem recommending the Scotty Prawn Puller to someone looking for an electric prawn trap puller.

Of course, getting the traps back to the boat is only part of successful prawning. For more on what I use in the traps, see my guide to the best prawn and shrimp bait.

Questions or Experience With the Scotty Prawn Puller?

If you have a question about the Scotty Prawn Puller, leave it in the comments below and I’ll answer it if I can. If you already use a Scotty, Ace Brutus or another electric trap puller, feel free to share your experience as well.