Best Downrigger for Kayaks and Small Boats

Some additional equipment can be very helpful when it comes to fishing, a downrigger, in particular, may be just what you need.

We’ve compiled a short guide below, providing you with some advice on downriggers and how they may be able to aid you when fishing, in the hope of helping you to select the best downrigger to suit your kayak, canoe or small boat.

What are downriggers and how do they work?

A downrigger is a useful device that helps when you are trying to catch fish that are in deeper water. They work by lowering your bait into this area of water and you can then set the depth that you need the downrigger to reach, and it will then take your lure to this particular depth.

They work by using a weight which then pulls your bait to the depth that you set on the downrigger. There will be a weight attached to a line and then on your fishing line, you will find separate attachments that pull the baited line down to the depth that you have set.

A fish finder can be useful for finding the correct depth. This tells you exactly where and at what depths the fish can be found. You can also see the underwater landscape using a fish finder such as drop offs and underwater grass areas.

The clip that links your line to the downrigger is designed to detach when a fish bites your bait, this then allows you to reel in your catch using your rod and reel.

As a downrigger helps to secure your lure at a specific depth, it is particularly useful when used for trolling from a boat. As the water landscape changes you have the option to easily adjust the depth too according to this.

Below we have reviewed our top five picks of the best downriggers on the market, including both electric and manual options.

Best Downrigger for Kayaks and Small Boats – Comparison Table

Image	Product	Features	Price
OUR TOP PICK	Scotty #1106 Depthpower Electric Downrigger	Item Weight: ‎22.2 pounds Product Dimensions: ‎43 x 13.3 x 7.4 inches Brand: ‎Scotty	Check Price On Amazon
	Scotty #1073DP Laketroller Manual Downrigger	Boom Length (Inches): 12″ Cable Length (Feet): 100′ Manual/Electric: Manual Rod Holder Included: No Spool Construction: Plastic	Check Price On Amazon
	Scotty #1050 Depthmaster Manual Downrigger	Boom Length (Inches): 23″ Cable Length (Feet): 200′ Manual/Electric: Manual Rod Holder Included: Yes Spool Construction: Plastic	Check Price On Amazon
	Cannon 1901200 Mini-Troll Manual Downrigger	Boom Length (Inches): 12″ Cable Length (Feet): 100′ Manual/Electric: Manual Rod Holder Included: No Spool Construction: Plastic	Check Price On Amazon
	Scotty #1099 Compact Depthpower Electric Downrigger	Boom Length (Inches): 30″ Cable Length (Feet): 250′ Manual/Electric: Electric Rod Holder Included: Yes Spool Construction: Plastic	Check Price On Amazon

Best Downrigger for Kayaks and Small Boats – Reviews

Best Downrigger for Kayaks and Small Boats – Buyers Guide

What features should you look out for?

The Manual Type

There are two different types of downriggers. Manual downriggers tend to be less expensive than electric ones. This is because you have to do most of the work yourself as there are fewer mechanical parts. For example, you are required to turn the spool yourself.

There generally tends to be fewer features on a manual downrigger than an electric one, an example being the depth counters. To work out your depth, you will need to remember how many turns of the spool that you’ve made. However, there are some manual models available that come with depth counters.

A useful feature is a rod holder although this won’t be included with all types of manual downriggers so it is necessary to pay attention to this with each of the products that we have reviewed below.

The Electric Type

If you are fishing by yourself, particularly in deep water, an electric downrigger is a useful choice with lots of power. You don’t need to reel the line in manually, this can be retrieved by simply pressing a button. An advanced but simple tool that aims to give you a hassle-free fishing experience.

If you fish regularly or for longer periods, an electric model can make it easier on your arms and reduces the fuss and hassle that you are often confronted with when doing this manually. The repeated turning of a manual model can become tiring after some time leaving you with less energy to reel in your fish.

Automatic depth adjustment, rod holders, and a variety of other accessories are just some of the extra features available with some electric models. It is also necessary to consider the battery or charger for your downrigger to ensure that it is going to work for the duration of your fishing trip.

The Mounting Options

It is important to consider how the downrigger is going to attach to your vessel. Some mounts will be easily detachable while others will be more permanent.

A portable mount is an ideal option if you don’t intend to fish every time you are in your vessel. This also applies if you plan to rent a boat. You will find some portable mounts that will even clamp onto your vessel, such as to the GunWales. Therefore it only needs to be attached when in use.

It’s also possible to find a mount that can be attached to the rod holder mounts or the gear tracks on kayaks. Some downriggers can also be mounted directly onto your boat as they feature mounting hardware.

The Use

How you intend to fish, including the environment that you are likely to fish in, is an important consideration because different downriggers are suited to different settings. For example, some will be better suited to fishing in lakes whilst others will be most suited for fishing in the ocean.

The benefits of using a downrigger

A downrigger can allow you to reach deeper areas of water by setting the depth of your lure. Your bait isn’t going to hit the bottom unless you want it too as a downrigger maintains its depth as you troll.

Downriggers allow you to catch fish regardless of the time of year as they are also useful during the offseason when the fish are more likely to head into deeper waters.

If you plan on fishing in the ocean, a downrigger helps to keep your bait where you want it, preventing it from being dragged with the current.

The drawbacks of using a downrigger

Although manual downriggers are more affordable, electric ones tend to be more expensive. It is worth considering where and how often you are likely to use your downrigger to evaluate whether it is worth investing in an electric one.

Additional gear such as a fish finder is most likely going to be needed to give you an idea of the depth of the water, and the depth of water that the fish are going to be found in.

A downrigger without an automatic clutch system that lets out the line is likely to result in the line snapping. This is because it may get caught on things along the bottom of the ocean or lake.

The recommended ways to use a downrigger

Trolling from either a boat, kayak or canoe is one of the most effective ways to use a downrigger. A fish finder is an essential tool as this will help you to locate the fish whilst informing you of the correct depth to set your downrigger.

You can let out your line once your hook is baited and you know the required depth. You will need plenty of line to ensure that it is going to reach beyond your vessel and also to the depth of water that you need to hit.

To lower your downrigger to the desired depth, you can attach your line to the clip that then links to your weighted downrigger line. Ensure that the spool of your fishing line can be reeled until it reaches the correct depth.

Reel in your fishing line so that there isn’t any slack once you have hit the depth. This will enable you to witness a fish taking the bait. You can then reel in your fish by unclipping the line from the downrigger.

Final thoughts

A downrigger allows you to set and maintain your bait to a specific depth, helping you to catch more fish in deep water. It is particularly useful if you are trolling; a method of fishing that uses one or more fishing lines.

Many different types of downriggers available are ideal for small boats and kayaks in particular. You can choose from an electric or manual downrigger and this ultimately depends on your preference and the environment that you are going to be fishing in. Before making your purchase consider where you are most likely to fish and the types of fish that you are planning to catch.

For occasional lake fishing, a manual downrigger is an ideal choice because as an occasional fisher, you aren’t likely to be using it a lot. Therefore it isn’t going to consume lots of your energy.

If you are likely to be fishing in the sea frequently an electric downrigger may be a preferred choice. This is because it takes a lot of the hassle out of fishing as the work can be done simply by pushing the button so you aren’t going to use a lot of energy.

The type of downrigger that you choose is also going to be determined by the way it mounts onto your vessel. Different types of downriggers are likely to be suitable for different types and sized boats. For example, some that we have mentioned are suitable for small boats and kayaks whereas others are suitable for slightly larger boats. This is an important factor to consider before choosing and purchasing your downrigger.

Some of the downriggers that we have reviewed above come with rod holders which are super convenient and help to make your task much easier. However, others do not include rod holders so you may find this a little inconvenient and this is worth considering before investing in your downrigger.

Ensure that you choose the downrigger that is the right fit for your fishing needs and your vessel too.