Downrigger setup on a Marauder

I got to test my downrigger setup on Lake Sonoma today... fish didn't bite but the downrigger worked very well.  Here's the details. 

I used a Scotty Laketroller manual downrigger that fits into a standard scotty spindle mount.  I mounted it on a Scotty gimbal mount adapter that was fitted into one of the flushmount rodholders in my cockpit.  On the other side of the cockpit is the rod mounted in a Scotty Rodmaster II rodholder in a gimbal mount.  I used a 6 lb downrigger ball and it seemed to work just fine. 

As you can see in the photos, the arm of the downrigger was pointing forward so that the ball is essentially right below the kayak.  The hand crank is within easy reach and with the right technique, you can loosen the knob and operate the crank with one hand.  Very slick and very simple.  1-turn = one foot of depth. 

I was trolling from 40 to 60 feet at ~1 to 2 mph with no problem.  Since the downrigger ball is just off to the side of the kayak, it is fairly close to the center of gravity and didn't throw off my stability very much at all.  I think this setup will be doable in the ocean on a calm day. 

I used a 6'6" Moderate action, light power, fiberglass spinning rod rated for 4-8# line with 6" test. 

I am contemplating replacing the wire with 80# spectra for even better efficiency, and possibly adding a snubber in line with the downrigger ball to help absorb shock in an ocean setting.  We'll see.

Erik

Cool deal Erik,

I had planned on rigging up some Scotty laketrollers this winter.  Nice to see it getting done.

Even Scotty recognizes this application.  Have you seen the attached flyer?

-Allen

Looks good.  I am planning on making a jury rigged one for trout season using  a beater line counter diawa and spectra.

Well, I've planned that for 3 years now without doing it..... We shall see.

How much bow did you get at 40 feet with 6 pounds?

MolBasser

Yeah Allen... I noticed that Scotty has a page on their website dedicated to accessories for kayaks / canoes.  I hadn't seen that flyer before, but they definitely offer some good accessories.  I like their round flushmount brackets which are now totally sealed.  The Laketroller fits my yak like a glove. 

Mol... as for how much bow I had in the line... I'm assuming you're wondering how much of an angle the downrigger line took with 40 ft out.  It didn't seem like it angled very much at all.  It stayed pretty vertical... maybe the ball moved a few feet or so.  I think that replacing the cable with spectra will make it even more efficient. 

EK

Erik: That came out super cool, nice work!

I think that replacing the cable with spectra will make it even more efficient. 

It's not just about efficiency for me.  It's a safety thing.  Up here we hug the bottom in search of kings.  You will snag up every now and then.  It's just a matter on time.  I'd rather have the downrigger spooled up with spectra than with wire.  I can cut it easily and fast if I need to.

-Allen

Good point Allen.  Also, with the way these little downriggers are mounted, you can easily pull the unit from the mount and chuck it in an emergency, and the drag nut is very accessible and could be loosened very quickly.  In fact, I think you could loosen the spool faster than you could grab your knife.   I think there's a lot of promise in these little babys for ocean salmon fishing.

EK

Eric~

It would not be that easy to pull out if it is under load. I carry a set of wite cutters with velcro so I can keep it right next to the downrigger.
Snag some kelp or the bottom with wire and you could be in a world of hurt.
How much weight did you use?
The only thig I didn't like about my downrigger is that I have to constantly keep moving forward as it is deployed. Paddle, drop, paddle, drop until I reach my desired depth.
I don't like where mine is mounted on my prowler. I may have to look into a change. I do like where you have it mounted. VERY sweet. You always do great work.

Eric~

It would not be that easy to pull out if it is under load. I carry a set of wite cutters with velcro so I can keep it right next to the downrigger.
Snag some kelp or the bottom with wire and you could be in a world of hurt.
How much weight did you use?
The only thig I didn't like about my downrigger is that I have to constantly keep moving forward as it is deployed. Paddle, drop, paddle, drop until I reach my desired depth.
I don't like where mine is mounted on my prowler. I may have to look into a change. I do like where you have it mounted. VERY sweet. You always do great work.

I used a 6# downrigger weight.  I found it to be quite forgiving.  I casted the lure out behind me, then clipped the line in, loosened the drag on my reel, and cranked it down.  I definitely lost forward momentum a few times but didn't seem to matter.  I really was surprised at how easy it was to deply without any tangles or anything.  Later on I would hold the paddle in one hand and take a couple strokes forward as I cranked the downrigger down...  that worked OK too. 

Also, with where the ball is located when it is all the way up, as long as I was moving forward a little bit, the clip would come to the surface right within easy grabbing distance. 

very cool KZ.

J

I bet you could use a way lighter ball too, super cool job...still loving it.

I bet you could use a way lighter ball too, super cool job...still loving it.

Yeah... the trouble is finding one.  Cannon makes a 4# downrigger weight but they want like $25 for it. 

The 6# ball was the lightest that they had at OPS for cheap.  You could probably use a regular ball weight as well, but I was concerned about having twisting problems.  The downrigger balls have the little fin on the rear with the eyelet for the release... seems to stay oriented pretty well.

EK

cabelas has a 4lb ball.

Yeah Allen... I noticed that Scotty has a page on their website dedicated to accessories for kayaks / canoes.  I hadn't seen that flyer before, but they definitely offer some good accessories.  I like their round flushmount brackets which are now totally sealed.  The Laketroller fits my yak like a glove. 

Mol... as for how much bow I had in the line... I'm assuming you're wondering how much of an angle the downrigger line took with 40 ft out.  It didn't seem like it angled very much at all.  It stayed pretty vertical... maybe the ball moved a few feet or so.  I think that replacing the cable with spectra will make it even more efficient. 

EK

Yeah, that was what I was looking for.  Looks very sweet.

MolBasser

Thanks Erik,  very cool.  I've been hoping someone would figure this out as I really hate dropping lead all the time while salmon fishing.  Now if I can only convince my wife that I really need this...

Brian