Downriggers & Accessories

Master Precision Depth Fishing with Downriggers

For anglers who troll in deep water or target species that feed at specific depths, a downrigger is a device used while fishing using the trolling method, which places a lure at the desired depth. Whether you're pursuing salmon, trout, walleye, or trophy fish in lakes, rivers, or coastal waters, downriggers allow you to present your bait exactly where the fish are holding—a critical advantage when fish can get picky, often feeding at one particular depth and only that depth, and with nothing more than a change in, say, wind direction, water temperature and current can change.

How Downriggers Work

A downrigger is an oversized reel with a cable with a lead ball at the end. The angler lets out his fishing line, then attaches the fishing line to the downrigger with a release. The lead ball takes the fishing lure to a precise depth. When a fish bites, the angler can pop the fishing line out of the downrigger release and fight the fish, unencumbered by the heavy weight. This system gives you the ability to fish at depths of 50, 100, or even 200 feet while still enjoying the pure fight of the fish on your line. A depth counter on the downrigger tells you exactly how much cable is deployed, enabling you to target the thermocline or structure where fish are most active.

Downriggers come in both manual and electric configurations. Manual units offer simplicity and reliability at an entry-level price, while electric downriggers provide push-button convenience, especially valuable when fishing deep water or running multiple riggers. Advanced electric models now feature programmable depth cycling, Bluetooth connectivity, and integration with fish finders for a truly modern fishing experience.

Essential Downrigger Accessories

Success with downriggers depends on having the right accessories. Line releases are critical components that hold your fishing line to the downrigger cable and release when a fish strikes. The tension adjustment on these releases must be calibrated for your lure size and target species—too tight and you'll pull the bait away from the fish, too loose and you'll get false releases. Downrigger weights, typically ranging from 6 to 15 pounds, come in various shapes including cannonball, torpedo, and finned designs. Heavier weights keep your cable more vertical in current and at higher trolling speeds. Other important accessories include swivels, cable, mounting hardware, rod holders, and protective booms.

Top Brands in Downrigger Equipment

When outfitting your boat with downrigger gear, choosing proven brands makes all the difference. Scotty Downriggers has been a trusted name since 1973, when the Saltaire manual downrigger was released and quickly became an indispensable tool for sports anglers along Canada's west coast. The forward-thinking use of plastics offered a light-weight, portable design uniquely suited to withstand the harsh climate. Known for their reliability and lifetime warranty, Scotty offers both electric and manual models with exclusive features like quick-release line clips and the fastest retrieval speeds on the market.

Cannon, a division of Johnson Outdoors Inc., is another industry leader that has been a leading manufacturer of downriggers since 1979, developed by two avid fishermen who wanted to make the most of every fishing experience. Cannon downriggers feature advanced technology including depth cycling, One-Boat Network integration with Humminbird fish finders, and corrosion-resistant composite construction backed by a limited lifetime warranty. Their electric models offer powerful motors and intuitive controls that make controlled-depth fishing accessible to anglers of all skill levels.

Sierra rounds out the selection with quality marine accessories and replacement components that help keep your downrigger systems running smoothly season after season.

Choosing the Right Downrigger Setup

Your ideal downrigger configuration depends on your boat size, target species, and fishing style. Smaller vessels and kayaks can benefit from compact manual downriggers with clamp-on mounts, while larger boats often run multiple electric downriggers with permanent mounting pads. Consider retrieval speed if you fish deep water frequently—faster retrieval saves valuable time when resetting lines or clearing gear. Look for models with accurate depth counters, easy-to-adjust line releases, and sufficient cable capacity for your typical fishing depths. Remember that downriggers allow you to troll at precise speeds and depths, turning trolling from guesswork into a scientific approach that consistently puts fish in the boat.