There are lots of good releases...Thought I would add my 2 cents. I extensively use downriggers on Lake Powell fishing striper or whatever, and also use riggers in the ocean for salmon trolling. Using the right release the right way is a skill like anything else fishing related. That means, unfortunately, that here are no easy "1 size fits all" solutions. The main issues with release choice is more about what speed will you be trolling, the drag of your trailing gear in the water, the currents (not an issue in the lake) what the material your line is made of, and it's diameter. Clips that "pinch" the line (like Scotty) are perfectly fine for monofilaments and fluorocarbons, but work terribly with braided lines because the braids are simply too slick and the cinch hold is unreliable.
As such, I no longer use pinch style releases because they are too frustrating to get them dialed in with different line types and diameters.
The Black's release is the only release I will use, because you don't have the line material and diameter issue...it works a different way: You take your line and twist an additional loop into your main line around 6-8 times and place this loop into the release. As mentioned earlier, this could potentially weaken small diameter mono and fluoro, but should be okay with any 8lb or higher main line. For braids, there is no issue with twisting and strength loss. I only use 20lb braid on the mainline with downrigger fishing on Powell, but am running fluorocarbon after the release in the 8-12 lb range after the flasher. Some people will also use rubber bands on the line and release to act as a snubber which helps with soft-mouth fish species (Kokanee anyone!!!) It will not allow a release with any vertical line pressure, and only release with horizontal line pressure (like fish strike). The only adjustment you need to make is the tension on the release with a little tensioner knob built onto the release. The tension you set depends on how much drag your equipment is placing on the release in the water, which is based on the bulk and shape of the trailing tackle (dodgers and flashers need more tension), your trolling speed and whatever currents exist underwater.
Summary: Cinch releases: easy to use, requires little skill, frustrating amount of improper releases with braided lines. easiest thing to "try" for a beginner
Black's style loop release: much better to preventing unnecessary releases, works with any size/material of line, requires a little more learning curve...but ultimately way superior
AT the end of the day, stick with any one thing for at least a few days and learn its nuances and you should be fine. But, after years of using cinch clips pretty successfully with occassional frustration, I switched to Blacks and NEVER get frusted anymore. If you have braid, don't even consider a cinch.
Jon