Mini downriggers

[Derrick-k]

Are there any good mini downriggers for my 8ft plastic boat for under $100?

[gpc]

I know Scotty has some pretty basic manuel down riggers. I am pretty sure that they run about $80. But when you add the price of the ball and the cable it will put you over $100. I am also looking into getting some basic down riggers. Cranking that ball everytime dosnt sound like much fun, but the manuel riggers take up less space and I want to be able to use them on my little boat as well (10.5 ft). And I fish in that a lot more just becasue of the price it costs to run the bigger boat.

[A9]

The scotty ones have NO depth counter...The Cannons aren't bad....

[gpc]

Huh, didnt know that. I guess I need to add a line counter reel into the overall price then too. Rapala makes a thing you hook to your line that works as a line counter as well, it runs about $10. How much do the Cannons cost?
I want the mauel type to start off just because if it breaks I can fix it. If the electric one breaks the repair gets a little more complicated. Fishing trips are allready easy enough to screw up, the last thing I need is another electronic that I dont know how to repair.

[Kokonuts]

I just started using a down rigger last summer, & still have a lot to learn. I think they are great once you get the hang of things for going beond 50 ft But if you are planning on staying in shallower water they do make a mini lake troll for under $50. Things like the ball , stackers & relase add a few more $$ and they do take a lot of work & attention.

I am also thinking about making up a smaller version using a hand line or old deep sea reel to go down to 50ft.
I picked up some 25lb test & will mark it every 10ft. shouldnt be to hard.

[spokey9]

good idea kokonuts, i've got lots of bigger penn reels laying around ( at least big enuff for that) that i didn't know what to do with. finally i've found a winter project to beat off this cabin fever.

[zen leecher aka Bill W]

Scotty sells a little one that has everything except a downrigger ball. You don't want one over 6 lbs for this one as it doesn't have the leverage for a full size ball. It's hard on the forearm if you are running it up and down alot. It also slips if you don't get the center "nut" tightened down hard enough.

For that reason I took mine back and got the next step up which has the lever "drag" similar to the full sized downriggers. I also had to buy a screw on clamp to attach it to the side of the boat.

I'm into the new one for about $150 total but it's easier to use than the $69 little one. Question you have to ask yourself is if spending $81 more worth it for you. Answer was yes for me.

The higher priced one has a longer crank on it for better leverage.

Cabelas has a thing in the catalog offering a free ball when ordering a Scotty downrigger. It may extend to the small manual downriggers also. Scotty has a lifetime guarantee if anything goes wrong.

[A9]

Yep I went with the same one that Bill W is talking about. Much better for the price. Think if you'll have them for longer then a few years. If yes, spend some more, and keep em in good shape and they'll outperform the little mini DR's much better. I use the Scotty 1050's, and I put a clamp mount on it, and they have a great lever drag, and I use them out in the salt and 8lb balls, no problem....

[Kokonuts]

Keep us posted if you come up with something using an older Penn reel.
I was thinking of using the reel & picking up an old salt water pole to cut down.

Depending on your "shop" & how much time you have, You might make up a REEL
using plywood to fit your boat and fishing use. Way back when I was a kid we use to
make up different types of "reels" for our kites, something 10 to 12 " in dia. makes it
easy & fast to wind in a lot of line!

[zen leecher aka Bill W]

You wanna make sure using a rod/reel combo for a downrigger doesn't attract WDFW employees looking to make a "two rod" bust.

[The Quadfather]

I've got the Scotty 1060, it's about $160.00 at Outdoor Emporium. Always there are inncidental costs, but it is a great unit. I am a little leary of the little teeny Scotty. (lake troller?) or something.

[Derrick-k]

I think the makeshift reel with 25lb line on it will work fine for me, I have a lot of extra reels that will work for that, and half a pole that I could use.
Thanks for the suggestions because I don't have a lot of money right now and I wanted a cheap solution.

[zen leecher aka Bill W]

Let us know how that works for you. If it turns out you need heavier line, try some Berkeley Big Game line. I bought a bulk spool of 50 lb test at Joes I use as leader material for hootchies. I also use it for line to hang flashers from that are attached to downrigger balls.

[spokey9]

since i won't need much line i was gonna use some 120 lb dacron line i got laying around on a penn 49L and an old deep sea rod that looks like a pool cue with guides on it to cut down. just trying to figure a good way to make a removable mount because i usually rent boats at the lakes. i figure i shouldn't need more than a 3 or 4 lb ball. as soon i get it all worked out i post some pics and tell y'all how it works.

[zen leecher aka Bill W]

I'd use a clamp on rod holder.

[Derrick-k]

I gonna use a 2lb ball because I wont need to go super deep I have a nice line-counter reel that I can use so I hope that this will turn out okay.

[Kokonuts]

Derrick..................Sounds like you have all the makings for a MINI TROLL !
I think you are right on with the 2lb. ball. Sounds like you will be fishing fo Trout/Kokanee,
& trolling at slow speeds. When you get it put together whatch your speed, depth, types of release & flashers.

Which brings up my next project, making up the flashers!!!

Since I love to spend time in the shop I have been making up small, lite trolling flashers using
Spoons, Bass Buzz Bait Spinners and scent dispensors. I have several that I cant wait to try!