Best Fishing Downriggers of 2026
* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Fishing downriggers are devices used by anglers to control the depth of their fishing bait or lure. They consist of a weight, cable, and a release mechanism that attaches to the fishing line. The weight is lowered to a desired depth, and the release mechanism releases the fishing line when a fish bites. Downriggers are particularly useful for catching fish like salmon and trout that swim at specific depths. They are also helpful when fishing in deep water or in areas with strong currents. Overall, fishing downriggers can be a valuable tool for anglers looking to improve their chances of catching fish.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
#TOP 1
9.9
#TOP 2
9.8
#TOP 3
9.6
Top 7 Fishing Downriggers
Scotty #1073DP Laketroller Manual Downrigger
The Scotty Laketroller Downrigger is designed for use on smaller boats, making it an ideal choice for anglers seeking a rugged and cost-effective solution. Its mounting bracket allows you to install it on a flat deck surface or the side of a gunnel or transom, providing flexibility for your setup. This downrigger is built to withstand the challenges of fishing, ensuring durability and reliability. With its user-friendly features, you can enhance your fishing experience and increase your chances of a successful catch.
Cannon Uni-Troll 10 STX Downrigger
The Cannon Uni-Troll Downrigger offers an impressive 2:1 retrieval speed, ensuring you can quickly and effortlessly get your lines out of the water. With its one-hand clutch deploy feature, you can precisely position your baits with ease, giving you full control over your fishing experience. The stainless steel telescopic boom extends from 24" to 53", helping to prevent lines from jumping when deploying or retrieving weights. Additionally, the dual axis rod holder allows for versatile rod positioning, making your fishing trips more enjoyable.
Scotty Laketroller Manual Downrigger with Clamp
The Scotty Laketroller Downrigger is designed for convenience and versatility, making it an excellent choice for smaller boats. It features a portable anodised aluminium clamp, allowing you to easily mount it on your gunnel or transom. The construction includes durable stainless steel and nylon, ensuring reliability on the water. With a drag brake and Scotty release, you can handle your fishing with ease. The downrigger also comes equipped with 100 feet of braided stainless steel wire, perfect for use with weights under 5 pounds, enhancing your fishing experience.
Cannon Mini-Troll Manual Downrigger with Features
The Cannon Mini-Troll Downrigger is designed to enhance your fishing experience. It features a horizontal reel and brake system, allowing for smooth and easy operation when adjusting line depth. With 100 feet of durable stainless steel cable, you can reliably reach varying depths without worrying about wear and tear. Additionally, the swivel-head depth counter keeps track of your line depth, ensuring you can easily monitor your setup and make adjustments as needed. This makes your fishing trips more efficient and enjoyable.
Cannon 1901020 Easi-Troll Manual Downrigger with 12 lb Capacity
The Cannon Easi-Troll Downrigger makes fishing more enjoyable with its fast, effortless 1.5:1 retrieval speed. This allows you to quickly bring your line back in without hassle. The one-hand clutch deploy feature offers controlled and precise bait positioning, giving you the confidence that your bait is exactly where it needs to be. Its ergonomic crank handle ensures comfort during use, reducing fatigue. Additionally, the enclosed 24" stainless steel boom end pulley prevents jump lines, which means a smoother fishing experience for you.
Extreme Max Coated Keel-Style Downrigger Weight 8 lbs
The Extreme Max Downrigger Weight features a keel-style design that helps it glide smoothly through the water, making it easier to control your fishing line. Its cast iron body ensures durability, while the polyethylene coating protects your boat from scratches when you pull in the line. This thoughtful coating adds convenience by keeping your boat in good condition. The weight is available in several sizes, giving you the flexibility to choose what suits your fishing needs best.
Scotty 1050MP Depthmaster Downrigger with Rod Holder
The Scotty 1050MP Depthmaster is a reliable downrigger designed to help you fish at precise depths. Its 23-inch long stainless steel boom provides strength and durability, letting you handle tough conditions with ease. The adjustable Rod Master rod holder keeps your fishing rod secure and positioned just how you want it, giving you better control. The spray-protected depth counter ensures accurate depth readings while protecting the mechanism from water damage. Additionally, the Scotty Power Grip Plus line release offers smooth and dependable line release, helping you manage your fishing line effortlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What does a downrigger do?
Downriggers are designed for trolling, and they can be used to catch a huge variety of freshwater and saltwater fish. Some of the most popular species to catch include lake trout, steelhead, brown trout, kingfish, chinook, coho, walleye, and striped bass.
2. Are downriggers worth it?
Downriggers are an efficient way to put live bait and lures in precise zones of the water column, and all anglers know that being in the right depth leads to more fish in the box. Downriggers are consistently used to target king mackerel, amberjack, cobia, grouper, among others.
3. How fast can you troll with a downrigger?
Most people troll at 1.5 to 3.5 mph. How do you know if you are at the right speed? Sure, you can look at your GPS speed over ground readings, but you see your downrigger lines are almost straight at 2 mph.
During our fishing downrigger research, we found 306 fishing downrigger products and shortlisted 7 quality products. We collected and analyzed 9,501 customer reviews through our big data system to write the fishing downriggers list. We found that most customers choose fishing downriggers with an average price of £158.42.
The fishing downriggers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of fishing downriggers, including Scotty, Cannon, Extreme Max.
Luke is a runner, a climber, hiker, hunter, and a lot more. Luke Dobson is Celtic-born and has lived most of his life in Scotland. However, his sporting endeavours have taken him to several countries around Europe. He serves as a tour guide for countless companies and owns a couple of gyms and recreational centres in Scotland. Luke Dobson is proficient in 7 different languages. He maintains many sport article columns where he shares his wealth of experience in the sport industry.