DYI Down Rigger?

So I am looking into making my own down rigger...any of you try this? What worked and what didn't?

(I did a search of posts but got no results...although I did see a pic of one made of PVC along with a shade cover)

I think I saw a Ytube video a while back, but I couldn't find it (no luck tonight, apparently).

I am thinking of using an old spin reel/rod, but it sounds like I will need a bait caster reel instead (I don't have one of those, not even an old one).

Any ideas or links?

-Cherie

I know I've seen someone post a homemade downrigger made with a stout ocean baitcaster. There are plenty of good deals on Craigslist if on a budget. I'll keep looking to see if I can find the post.

I have seen several home made models.  The most likely to work was a guy in Australia that used an old Penn Jigmaster.  Even though it looked cool and functional, the amount of cranks it takes to retrieve your weight when you have 100 feet out, seems like a lot of work.  I think you just got an Eddyline, and the sider rails allow you to put a lake troller on one.  With each revolution you can take up or let out 12 inches. Less work means more time to have fund for me anyway.

The DIY your thinking was made by motherlode send him a pm. Search eBay for small big Jon downrigger it's the one I use and you can get them fairly cheap. Just clamp it on your crate and good to go no holes.

Search "downrigger" and scroll down to the one that says "re: downriggers" that topic is 7 pages long and has pictures of what I was telling you about. Good Luck!

Here is a link which shows the one I built.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=11375.15

I am all about saving $$$. With that said, I would invest 60-70 bucks on the Scotty and be done. Easy to use, fairly precise depth control, and no hassle trying to find old used gear to modify. I don't know about mounting on your Eddyline, but as mentioned before, it would work on a crate well if you have one. That's how I used one at Berry. Good luck.

Old Tuna rod cut down to 2 feet long.  Old Penn Mariner, $10.00 line counter.  Pretty cheap and works like a charm...

Old Tuna rod cut down to 2 feet long.  Old Penn Mariner, $10.00 line counter.  Pretty cheap and works like a charm...

Looks like 
$10.00 for reel (yard sale)
$10.00 for rod (yard sale)
$10.00 for counter
$29.99 for ram mount
$59.99 total investment + time to find psrts and assembel
-------------------------------
Scotty D.R. total investment
$69.99 & easier to use

See Ya Soon,
Eric / Yakhopper
-------------------------

$29.99 for ram mount

I love my scotty down rigger, I wish I would have got one sooner.

There is no need to make it complicated..

It's just a string and a heavy weight.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=39695.msg430059#msg430059
This is just a little cheaper than a cannon if u can find an open faced real for cheap. Good luck!

I am all about saving $$$. With that said, I would invest 60-70 bucks on the Scotty and be done. Easy to use, fairly precise depth control, and no hassle trying to find old used gear to modify.

+1

I have tried homemade and store bought down riggers on the kayak, and have not been pleased with them.  Too much work and gear on the kayak IMO.  BanjoTad turned me onto the Davis Fish Seekers.  Tie right onto your line and you can troll from 10-100 feet just by changing which holes you clip into.  These have worked great for trout in the lakes and salmon in the ocean.  I also have the Jet Divers and Deep Six, but like the fish seekers as they are so easy to adjust.  I have had such good luck with them I use them on my power boat rather than my down riggers.  Just another option for you:

I used a Scotty Lake Troller for 3 years before I made my own and they work fine. The main advantages of the DR I built are:
#1 You can drop hands free by backing off the drag which reduces tangles
#2 The rod flexes to absorb the shock from the weight on swells. This allows you to use lighter spectra and lighter weights and you dont need a snubber.
#3 The line counter reel keeps track of the depth so you don't have to remember how many cranks.
#4 The DR is more compact and a little easier to crank

All that said, I hate using them and use the double deep 6 75% percent of the time for ocean salmon. I use a DR instead of the DD6 in the following situations:
#1 Targeting suspended bait where I need precise placement
#2 Trolling deeper than 50' down
#3 Sail trolling

Inventing and making your own stuff isn't for everyone so by all means get a Scotty, however, you can make a downrigger which is superior to a Scotty Laketroller for about the same amount of money. My DR is cool looking too, so why not roll with style.