Looking for good down-rigger

Thanks for that info! I'm happy to not have to learn that lesson the hard way!


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Hmm..thought I replied to this thread.   

Short answer: You don't need one.

But they are a useful tool and can be fun to use under the right conditions.  I thought I was going to need it for Dec through March kings.  Maybe its the warmer temps, but I haven't needed it at all. 

There have been times when I have marked silvers in Seward deep or the kings.  I also use it to mount a gopro.  It will up your catch or I should say options.  But frankly, I think its the last piece of major equipment to consider.

Scotty LakeTroll mounted on a quick release gear head. They are very compact, easy to use, and are cheap. I'll post pics of mine later

Scotty LakeTroll mounted on a quick release gear head. They are very compact, easy to use, and are cheap. I'll post pics of mine later

A Scotty Laketroller is easy to mount on a Scotty flush mount or side-deck mount, and it works well on those mounts.  The problem with using a Scotty Gearhead is that the tension on the arm of the downrigger will twist the Gearhead, and if the downrigger is sticking out of the left side of your kayak, the twisting will loosen, rather than tighten, the Gearhead.  In addition, cranking on a downrigger puts a lot of stress on its base, and I'd be concerned that a Laketroller mounted on a Gearhead would bend or break the rather thin bolt which holds the Gearhead onto the track.

I only run a 3lb weight and haven't had a problem yet, I normally twist mine so the line is right against the kayak anyways cause it silences the humm and reduces the drag from turning the kayak. I normally don't use it deeper than 60ft, most of the time at about 25.

I quit using Gearhead bases for trolling rod holders because they kept twisting, even when trolling on the right side of my kayak, which I found real irritating.  But I like them for gear which isn't under any stress, like my fish finder.