Laketroller or Depthmaster

The Lake troller is small and compact and fits in a standard Scotty mount. The depthmaster appears to have the same size reel, but the deployment and retrieval would be SO much better on a kayak because of the braking system.
Can the depthmaster be modified to plug into a standard Scotty mount? Anyone attempt to shorten the reach on the depthmaster?

HamptonT. Are you going to be fishing lakes or hit the salt for bigger prey?. If all you're doing is lakes, the laketroller is fine but in the salt you want a heavier boom that can handle a 6lb downrigger ball which the Laketroller won't. The Depthmaster 1060 retrieves 2' per turn but really needs to be mounted behind your seat. See previous threads by Lee,
Ravdakot, Zee and Kallitype for types of setups for the rigger. Any way you look at it, the rigger is sort of a PITA in a yak but also has the benefit of getting you to a prescribed depth where the fish are. As far as shortening the handle, don't know. Get more input.

Welcome to the cure HT!

Since you're considering a downrigger please read this article. I think it should answer most of your questions. http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?page=32

Welcome to the cure HT!

Since you're considering a downrigger please read this article. I think it should answer most of your questions. http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?page=32

Mostly area lakes. One week per year on Lake Michigan. I was looking for the better unit for the Lake Michigan trips. I wish I could actually put my hands on these models and do a thorough inspection, but I have not been able to find them in stores. I had my mind set on the Laketroller, but then I saw that the 1050 model also has a one foot per turn spool, indicating that the spools on the 1050 and the 1073 are the same size.
I'd like to have a drop in mount in front of the seat, so it needs to be small enough. I realize that behind the seat is recommended, and I understand why, but I'm getting too old and stiff to be twisting and reaching behind me.

Mount an electric one in back.  No bending or twisting necessary

Ndogg took a  broken rod and an old reel and made a downrigger that can mount in any rod holder. You can just pull it out of the rod holder and reel it up in whatever position is most comfortable for you.

They make a gimbal mount for the depth master. I have seen some pics of how a guy made it work in the stock outback rod holders. Search around on this site for the link, as I believe the setup was posted over at norcal kayak anglers

Ndogg took a  broken rod and an old reel and made a downrigger that can mount in any rod holder. You can just pull it out of the rod holder and reel it up in whatever position is most comfortable for you.

That's a great idea and very resourcefull, but that type of rig would require two hands to manage it. The main reason for going with the Depthmaster over the Laketroller is the one handed operation.
I found a right angle mount for the Depthmaster that I think will work well. I could mount it on the vertical side wall on the inside of the mesh storage pocket area on my Revo 13. That should put the Depthmaster in a good position for ease of use. I will need to shorten the arm on it as much as possible to minimize the influence on the kayak tracking.

...I found a right angle mount for the Depthmaster that I think will work well. I could mount it on the vertical side wall on the inside of the mesh storage pocket area on my Revo 13. That should put the Depthmaster in a good position for ease of use. I will need to shorten the arm on it as much as possible to minimize the influence on the kayak tracking.

You may want to consider ease of re-entry should you separate from your kayak.  Having a downrigger on the side of the cockpit may hamper re-entry attempts. 

In Baton Rouge on business. Stopped into Cabelas in hopes of actually putting my hands on one of the downriggers I'm considering. Asked a salesman where they are after a self-guided tour came up with nothing. Was told that they don't carry any there. Go figure!

Not much use for one in Lousiana.  Most stores are region specific.

Just went to Bass Pro Shop Outdoor World in Denham Springs, LA. All I can say is WOW! That place has got Cabelas beat by a mile. Unfortunately they only had Canon downriggers though.