Best Fishing Downriggers in 2022

Last update: November 26, 2022

Are downriggers worth it?

At what speed do you troll for salmon?

There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on a number of factors, such as the type of salmon you are targeting, the depth of water you are fishing in, and the type of lure or bait you are using. Generally speaking, however, most anglers troll for salmon at speeds between 2 and 5 knots.

Do you need a downrigger to troll?

No, you don't need a downrigger to troll, but it can certainly help. A downrigger is a device that helps you to lower your lure or bait down to where the fish are biting. It consists of a weighted ball that is attached to your line and a boom that extends out from your boat. When you lower the ball down into the water, it pulls your line down with it, getting your lure or bait down to where the fish are. Downriggers can be a big help when you're trolling, because they can get your bait or lure

How big of a downrigger ball should I use?

The size of the downrigger ball you use depends on the weight of your line and lure. A good rule of thumb is to use a ball that is one-third the weight of your line.


Scotty #371 Downrigger Weight Snubber with Trolling Snap Review:


It's crucial that you use this Scotty #371 downrigger snubber. The snubber will be the weak link in the system if by chance your weight drags and catches on the bottom when trolling, protecting your downrigger from potentially being torn off your boat and over the side. A negligible cost for insurance.Very simple to put up and operate.



Cannon Terminator Kit Review:


Pros: The terminator has a great design, is free of stray wire strands that could snag on lines or prick your hands, and can be carefully disassembled and reused. Although a little challenging to open and close, clips are really secure. If you wind the cable in too far, a rubber boot serves as a reliable bumper stop.Cons: Adds a bit more drag and is a little bulkier than traditional crimp terminations. Rubber boot should fit better; it occasionally slips up the wire.the ideal method for securing terminal tackle to your downrigger cable.



Cannon Downrigger Cover Review:


I did not want my boat to be moored in the marina all season while my two Cannon downriggers were exposed to UV radiation after I made the investment in them.They perform an excellent job of safeguarding my downriggers. I read some worries about the velcro closure losing its grip when hauling at highway speeds.As a safety measure, I use a little bungee, and so far there have been no problems.They're a little expensive, but they actually protect my downriggers as promised.I strongly advise.



Scotty #1073DP Laketroller Manual Downrigger, Post Mount, Display Packed Review:


It was so wonderful that I ordered two. At this time, I have one for each side of the boat. Around the yacht, I have scotty mounts in various places, and they all fit. Cons: I occasionally experience clutch wear since I use a ball that is 6#, which is heavier than is advised. Since there is no cable counter, you should be able to track the ball's depth if you have a depth finder (fish finder). I've used it multiple times, and I've never had a problem keeping track of the ball on the bottom, where I fish. It tracks out at an angle behind the boat since it is a little light in weight and uses a lighter ball. Pros: I can fish at different depths and troll the surface with cable clip releases. To assist me reel in all the fish, I generally need a companion. It is portable and light in weight. The family may quickly stow away when they go water skiing.



Cannon Offshore Saltwater Line Release Review:


These downrigger line clips are incredibly durable and have a strong grip on your line. Best utilized when fishing pretty deep for powerful fish with big flashers. When trolling deep or at faster speeds, the powerful gripping force ensures that your line and flasher won't accidentally release.The cable's length is the only reason I didn't give it five stars; I think 16 inches is too little. For my downriggers, I will re-rig the clip with three to four feet of thick monofilament. An good product overall.



CANNON Easi-Troll ST Manual Downrigger Review:


Very happy indeed! Heavy duty and affordable to purchase! I'm preparing to get rid of my cheap Atwood downrigger, which I bought for around $70, and order a second cannon! Amazingly simple to use! I tighten the drag on my rod/reel to a 10 pound cannon weight, and then I spin the handle just enough to let the clutch slip and the ball fall as the counter counts the number of feet I let out. I was first disappointed because my counter "wasn't functioning," but all it took to fix it was to simply push the counter back further into its slot until its gears made contact with the gears of the wire wheel, and then it worked fine! I will admit that I am happy I chose a 10 pound weight. I didn't realize it at the time, but the downrigger's reading guide states that a 10-pound weight won't "blow back" at a speed of roughly 2 mph, which is how quickly I typically troll. This means that when you cast a 15-foot line, you are fishing precisely at or very nearly at 15 feet, as opposed to casting an 8-pound ball that may only be 12 feet deep or casting further inaccurately. The down rigger model doesn't appear to come with the bolt and nut that allows you to hang the weight close to the vehicle while driving, which is frustrating. However, after a brief phone call to Canon customer service, I was informed that this is not a standard feature of the vehicle and that they would be happy to send it to me for no cost. It came quickly and was simple to bolt. Since this type isn't as sturdy as the more expensive models, they advise against driving with the weight hanging in the vehicle. Instead, you would be safer driving with the weight unclipped and seated inside the boat. Overall, I really like this product and find it easy to install and use. I can quickly mount up and lower the weight and lure to 20 feet! And swiftly and without strain, retrieve the weighty object.Update: It turns out that the wrong gear size was supplied by the manufacturer for my second downrigger, which did not engage the line counter. I contacted customer care, and they shipped me a new piece of equipment. The incorrect equipment arrived with a 1 inch gear when the correct gear should have been 1 1/8 inch. If this happens to anyone, FYI, all you need is a flathead screwdriver to quickly pop the gear off and slide the appropriate one on. Poor quality control, but at least Canon sent me the replacement components at no cost to me.


How deep can you fish a downrigger?

A downrigger is a fishing device that is used to lower bait or lures to depths of up to 300 feet. The downrigger consists of a winch, line, and release mechanism that is mounted on a boat. The downrigger allows anglers to target fish that are swimming at specific depths.

How do you troll without tangling lines?

There's nothing worse than a tangled mess of fishing line, except maybe a tangled mess of fishing line with a fish on the other end. To avoid this frustrating scenario, practice the following tips: - Use a line conditioner: This helps your line glide through the water and also makes it less likely to tangle. - Be careful when casting: If you make a sloppy cast, your line is more likely to tangle. - Avoid using too much line: The more line you have in the water, the greater the chance of tangles.

How far behind a boat should you troll?

When trolling for fish, it is important to maintain a safe distance behind the boat. Depending on the type of fish you are targeting, you will want to adjust your speed and distance accordingly. For example, when targeting walleye, it is recommended to troll at a slow speed (1-2 mph) and maintain a distance of 30-50 feet behind the boat.

How fast can you troll with downriggers?

Downriggers are devices that are used to lower and raise fishing lines and baited hooks or lures to the desired depth. They are commonly used on larger boats for trolling offshore in deep waters for fish such as salmon and tuna. But how fast can you troll with downriggers? The speed at which you can troll with downriggers depends on a few factors, such as the type of downrigger you are using, the depth of the water, and the type of fish you are targeting. Generally speaking, you can troll with downriggers at speeds between 1

How much line do you need behind a downrigger ball?

Most downrigger balls come with 50 feet of line. This is generally enough to get your lure down to the desired depth while still having enough line to fight a fish. If you are fishing in deeper water or want to use a heavier lure, you may need more line.

How much line should you let out when trolling?

How much line should you let out when trolling? This is a difficult question to answer because it depends on a number of factors, such as the type of fish you're after, the type of lure you're using, the speed of your boat, and the depth of the water. In general, though, you should let out enough line so that the lure is running at the desired depth. If you're not sure how much line to let out, ask someone at your local tackle shop.