Down riggers

I have scrolled through the site and found a few comments about down rigger mounting and weights, but I didn't find anything concerning the actual down riggers. 

It was recommended that I get one for salmon fishing. 

What model do you like/dislike?  Easiest to use?

Thanks

I can only speak to the one I have but I have a penn fathommaster manual downrigger with a 24 inch boom and it works great.  I mount it behind me and its no problem cranking up by just slightly turning to the side.  I can reach the handle and when center mounted directly behind me, the boom extends maybe 6 inches over side which is perfect.  I can reach the tip, get the ball, drop back down easily. 

I permanently mounted it in September on a 360 deg rotating base so you can check out my Sept blogs. 

http://guidesak.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html

I also temporarily semi center mounted one on my mini-x to pull shrimp pots out of whittier.  That worked pretty well to but never did try it for fishing.  I had to turn around and face the stern to winch up my shrimp pots.  You can see the genesis of that project in my  April blogs.  I think this method would work for other kayaks as well if you wanted to take it off.  I just chose to permanently mount since I think I will be using it A LOT this year.
http://guidesak.blogspot.com/2011_04_01_archive.html

I'd say sit in your kayak, and see which motion of cranking works best for you without having to turn around or side straddle your yak.    The horizontal mounted spool like the scotty or the vertical mount like the Penn.  You can always swing your legs over to crank.  Also check that you can reach the drag/lowering device.

I should also add zee's article was SUPER valuable  http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/page,32.html

In the saltwater here in Cook Inlet using large 11 inch flashers and such, a 6 pound ball is minimum.  I switched to an 8 pound ball and it is much better with less blowback and no real perceptible difference in drag or cranking up.

Mr. Kenai. I use a Scotty 1060 manual rigger usually with a 6lb ball. I used Kallitypes
protype base(should be in a past thread) and found only 2 problems. Due to bad rt eye
and stiff old body,it's hard to turn and read the depth counter. Secondly, I will make some adjustments to raise the whole base unit so it doesn't sit so low behind my seat. This should help with issue#1 and make it easier to use the release handle and use the crank to bring up the ball so it's not so hidden behind the seat. The Scotty works great and retrieves 2' per turn and the cable I replaced with 50lb PP spectra. might consider using Kone Zone flashers because of less drag. Also check out Ravdakots & Lee's thread
on using an eggcrate for the mount. I may try that one myself since it looks might solve both my existing problems. Go Scotty. And by all means, carry a good knife/scissors to cut the braided line or wire cutters if you stay with cable. CAN YOU SAY CAPSIZE?

There's an article and review on downriggers on the front page.

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?frontage;p=7

Thanks for all the help and suggestions guys.

Now I've got another question for you.....  Would I be considered nuts/crazy/insane if I thought I could mount 2 downriggers on my rig?  Think about it.....get 2 with the extendable booms and set them both out.  Sure there might be some issues when you are first dropping them, but more bait in the water = more fish in the boat right?

That isn't legal down in WA in the salt, but your in AK, so maybe if you had a tandem yak and someone else with you.  Otherwise, seems like a collosal PITA with the potential for lots of knots, and getting hung up on the bottom.  You also got 2 DRs you gotta reel up while keeping a fish on the line.  Oh, and unless you got a pedal drive, you're pretty much pulling a drift anchor at that point. 

TLDR version:  Don't try 2 downriggers from a yak

Totally agree with Lee. Your asking for one big cluster. Tough enough with one unless your Houdini.

I have been know to try things a little on the crazy side, but if its a huge pain in the butt I'll let that one go.  I do have a peddle kayak, but I've only got 2 arms.  Sounds like you need 3 or 4 to make that setup work

That isn't legal down in WA in the salt, but your in AK, so maybe if you had a tandem yak and someone else with you.  Otherwise, seems like a collosal PITA with the potential for lots of knots, and getting hung up on the bottom.  You also got 2 DRs you gotta reel up while keeping a fish on the line.  Oh, and unless you got a pedal drive, you're pretty much pulling a drift anchor at that point. 

TLDR version:  Don't try 2 downriggers from a yak

Just checked my local regs....you can't use more than one line here either.

So much for that idea

Thanks for all the help and suggestions guys.

Now I've got another question for you.....  Would I be considered nuts/crazy/insane if I thought I could mount 2 downriggers on my rig?  Think about it.....get 2 with the extendable booms and set them both out.  Sure there might be some issues when you are first dropping them, but more bait in the water = more fish in the boat right?

If you're looking to fish two rods, why not "stack" both on one downrigger.  I agree however that this would seem to be a recipe for a major cluster.