Downriggers on Prowler 13/15

Before I get out my drill, I'd appreciate suggestions on where to install my downrigger on my Prowler 13. A Scotty surface mount for my rod holder is on the inside of the gunnel by the footwell and flush-mount rod holders are on each side behind the seat.

What's the best way to set it up for boom/rod operation? convenience for cranking? minimizing change in center of gravity? installation of a backing plate? what else have I forgotten to ask? Thx!

Janice aka "Big J"

Hi J:

       I tried to use a 2.5 Lb Ball to troll and I was a big Mistake. The
 2.5 Ball setup created way too much drag and made the Kayak un-stable .
       The  Max. weight I use now is #8 ball w/ slider. The Stern might be a good Location. I Also use a Dipsy Diver which has more Tackle on the Line but, I found for me it's a lot easier than a Ball and release.
                                                                 Good Luck
                                                                 Ernie
                                                                 


     

Hi Janice bought your self a downrigger did ya. Well the best place to mount it would be the place that is comfortable for you to operated it, I mounted mine in the back it work real well for me, it did take some time to get use to. I did back my flush mount with a aluminum plate not sure if it was necessary I figured it could not hurt. As for the boom/ rod goes it does not matter as you can see in the pics my boom point to the back and my rod points to the side. I tried to get the downrigger-ball as close to the yak as possible I thought it would track better. I will not lay to you it does pull to that side a bit. I use a 2lb ball that I made I tried a 3lb seemed a bit much and I tried a 1.5 seemed like it was not enough so I settled for the 2lb. I have the 3 and the 1.5 if you would like to try them out you are welcome to. The downrigger clip I use is the smallest Scotty clip they offer works good for me. All in all this is just my opinion what works for one won’t work for another, good luck on your quest.

Pat R       

Yeah, big J, that's a tuffy.  Not seeing many options but then again, I would need to see the yak in person - might make a difference.  If it's not on when I see you Sunday, I'll try to give you my inprofessional opinion.

Maybe talk to Scott/GB2 becuase I think he paddles a Prowler and I know he has one.  

What ever you do, don't rush into it.  Don't put it on just to have it on, you may regret its location later.  I know you know that, but just wanted to reiterate.  I had my yak for 6-7 months before I actually installed it.  Didn't want any regrets.

Michael

Well the best place to mount it would be the place that is comfortable for you to operated it

Agreed!

I did back my flush mount with a aluminum plate

Did the same.  May not be necessary but peace of mind is!

I tried to get the downrigger-ball as close to the yak as possible I thought it would track better

Agree again.

I will not lie to you it does pull to that side a bit

Yup!

I use a 2lb ball that I made I tried a 3lb seemed a bit much and I tried a 1.5 seemed like it was not enough so I settled for the 2lb. I have the 3 and the 1.5 if you would like to try them out you are welcome to.

Wish I had fabrication skills.  I'm jealous Pat.  I use a 2.5 lb wight.  It is the fishy shape.   Do wish it was coated with that black stuff though.  I also have a 3.4 lb and 4 lb ball.  Bought the 3.4 lb before I was even ready to use the downrigger.    It's my back-up now.  The 2.5 and 4 lb ball were left over from my aluminum boat days.  Got 'em at Fisherman's Wharehouse and they still carry them.

The downrigger clip I use is the smallest Scotty clip they offer

Me too.  But I only use it becuase it came with the 'rigger.  Not married to it, just free.   I have some old Sepp's as back-ups.  Again, just personal preference.

All in all this is just my opinion what works for one won?t work for another, good luck on your quest.

And Yup again!!

Man this Pat guy has many great things to say.  I think I'd get along with him.

Michael

I just installed one and took it for a few runs. So far, WAAAAY better than a deep six!

I figure the best place to install it is behind your seat to one side where you can easily access it. The downrigger added means that it's a little more tricky deploying so you need it where you don't have to strain. Then when you use it you can throw your rod in the rod holder next to it. Most of us have one there. The idea behind having it further back is less pull to one side.

I've been running a 3# ball and it's done pretty well up to 100' but will give you a workout. There's no two ways about though, if you're going to be trolling deep, it will be a challenge no matter what. Also, make sure you replace your steel cable w/ 150# PowerPro. The PowerPro has a smaller diameter and will create less drag. It's a bit hard to find but I found a guy on Ebay who has it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/POWER-PRO-150-LB-DOWNRIGGER-CABLE-WORLDWIDE-SHIPPING_W0QQitemZ280192354389QQihZ018QQcategoryZ36151QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQtrksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZViewItem

Z

Some pics of my downrigger

Here ya go Big J. I just used long stainless bolts, nuts, lockwashers and washers.
Mine in the P15 but I think it will work the same on your 13.
Change out the wire cable for heavy spectra.

Hey Tote, it's hard to tell in her picture, but I don't think Janice has that flat spot where you mounted your downrigger.  Of course it doesn't help that I'm not familiar with Prowlers, but it seems to be one of the things they cut out for the P-13.

Michael

Good advice here.  I would recommend mounting it so that it is in front of you.  Much easier to operate it and access the clip if it's all in front of you IMO.

Orienting it so that the ball  goes down as close to the yak as possible is important. 

FWIW, I use a 6 pound ball.  It pulls a little to one side but it's totally manageable.  Then again I'm in a marauder and I weigh... well... alot... so that probably helps.  I will be looking for a smaller ball, but that's the smallest I could find with a fin on it at the time.

EK

I could find with a fin on it at the time.

Does a fin really have much effect at kayak speeds ?

Things about downrigging from my skiff experience.

1: Get a pancake weight ( lots less drag and it sounds better than 'I lost my balls today fishing' ).

2. Even with spectra as the cable don't tighten your downrigger drag down tight, if you snag you want it to pull downrigger cable.

3. Be care of your depth because your lure might dive also and you'll snag up.


-Brian G

I will be looking for a smaller ball, but that's the smallest I could find with a fin on it at the time.

Erik, pretty sure cannon makes one but that means you'll have to pay a little more for the name.

Michael

Great info and pix, guys--NCKA rocks! GB2 posted some good info in the Del Valle 1/20 Hook Up thread, too (before I started this post, I think). I'm going to sit in my boat in the yard today to get a feel for reaching to the back, but I have limited neck mobility so I'll likely end up installing the downrigger in the cockpit area.

I don't think Janice has that flat spot where you mounted your downrigger.

Yeah, the Prowler 13 is configured a bit differently, but there is just enough room where Tote has his cleats (where the rudder cable/pedals go) to install a surface mount. I have one on the right side for my rod holder and considered putting one on the left for the downrigger. My latest idea is to install a RAM mount (if it fits) for my rod on the left so I can swivel it around and then use the surface mount for the downrigger.

Get a pancake weight ( lots less drag and it sounds better than 'I lost my balls today fishing' ).

Hmmm... I'd have a serious problem if someone misunderstood me! Now you guys, OTH... 

Keep the info flowing! Your input has been invaluable to me and will certainly be a good resource for others! Thanks a bunch!

Janice aka "Big J"

Janice,

It looks like it may be possible to mount it on the gunwale side of the foot well, just in front of your foot. If you go to FW tomorrow and bring the boat, I can take a look at it for you.

Scott

Good advice here.  I would recommend mounting it so that it is in front of you.  Much easier to operate it and access the clip if it's all in front of you IMO.

I can see what you mean by accessibility but IMO the problem w/ having it in front of you is that it pulls you to the side more; meaning you have to offset the pull a lot by paddling on one side. It only takes a little bit of force to one side and then the drag of the downrigger "digs it's heels in" and really pulls. The further back on the yak you have it the less side pull you get and less paddling correction. The analogy I thought of is: if you pulled a car antenna to the side from the tip or the base. At the tip it's easy to bend but at the base almost impossible. So the further forward the downrigger is the more leverage it has to pull you sideways.

Before I installed my downrigger I used a deep six and did an experiment by putting the rod in the front and back rod holders to compare if there's any difference. The front rod holder let me paddle 4 strokes and then correct the turn from the drag. The back rod holder let me paddle 8 strokes before having to correct.

And access is just fine where it is right behind my seat. I can reach back without changing my seating position at all.

Z

Behind your seat isn't perfectly flat but looks like it'd still work.