Downrigger Advice and Hi from a new guy

First off, Hi!  These topics are great!  Thanks to Yarjammer for sending me this way.

I've been trolling from my kayak for a few weeks now.  I've managed to land Crappie and Trout so far (5 Trout at Alder Lake yesterday!)

I'm looking to catch some bigger stuff at Lake Chelan on August 1-3.  I'm looking for any advice/input on how to do it. 

My setup: Wilderness Systems, Tsunami 140 w/ rudder
Scotty Rod Holder (the one REI sells, and I probably paid too much for it!)
Medium Heavy Ugly Stick
40lb braid line (10lb test diameter)

Going to pick up a #2 deep six? It says it will drop the line down to 170 ft or more.  It's also set up to run in line, not separately from what I can tell.

I generally cruise easily at 4-5mph, so I figure trolling at around 1-2 shouldn't be difficult even with a downrigger. 

How long of a leader should I use after the downrigger?
How far out does my line need to be?
Any other tips/input ?

Hey BO. Welcome. Check out this link and I think it should answer most of your questions.

Kayak Downrigger Fishing 101
http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/page,32.html

Z

Scotty Lake Troller seems to be difficult to find.  The beefier units are around though.  What do  you think of the Cannon Lake Troller?  It has a built in rod holder.  Cannon Lake-Troll Downrigger  it looks easy enough to mount.

I'm still thinking I might try the Deep Six diver that goes on your line without a downrigger for now as I don't think I'll have the time to install all this stuff before I head to Chelan.

I'm also not sure I want to put all those holes in my Tsunami 140.  Might wait to get a more fishing oriented boat. 

Scotty Lake Troller seems to be difficult to find.  The beefier units are around though.  What do  you think of the Cannon Lake Troller?  It has a built in rod holder.  Cannon Lake-Troll Downrigger  it looks easy enough to mount.

I'm still thinking I might try the Deep Six diver that goes on your line without a downrigger for now as I don't think I'll have the time to install all this stuff before I head to Chelan.

I'm also not sure I want to put all those holes in my Tsunami 140.  Might wait to get a more fishing oriented boat.  

They have them at Outdoor Emporium. Here's the best deal on the Lake Troller that I can find $54. http://www.lfsmarineoutdoor.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=119 I don't like the Canon DR's. Not really laid out right for a kayak as the vertical plane the reel sits on is awkward to reel in.

Oh so you wanted to mount that on your SIK? Like the article says, I don't really recommend using a DR on them. With all the weight and stability issues it's too dangerous. I've snagged my DR ball a few times and I came very close to flipping. if I were in a SIK I would have been a gonner for sure. I think divers and banana sinkers are the way to go for SIK trolling. Just my .02

Z

i was thinking of giving this one a try. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21276-cat350017-cat20985&id=0012297010800a&navCount=1&podId=0012297&parentId=cat20985&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=QZ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true  looks like it could be made to plop into a rod holder.  might be worth a shot.

Bobby

I believe Attwood and Scotty mounts are not interchangeable.  Anyone know for sure?

-Allen

They aren't... I was eyeing an Attwood DR at Boater's World during the fire sale.  I took one of the Scotty bases and tried mating it with the Attwood male end with less than warm fuzzy about the result.  If I recall right, the Attwood male ends are too long for the Scotty bases and there is a lot of play in the connection as a result.

For SOT's with flush mounted rod holders behind the seat, Scotty makes a gimball mount that you don't have to drill new holes into your yak to use.  This is by far the cleanest setup and is the way I will be going.

Looking more and more like I'll have to get a different boat if I want to do it right and safely.