Best Fishing Downriggers of 2025
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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
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Top 10 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 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 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 Depthmaster Manual Downrigger with Rod Holder
The Scotty Depthmaster Downrigger is designed for convenience and efficiency while fishing. Its 23-inch long stainless steel boom provides a robust support system for your fishing line, ensuring stability. You will appreciate the Scotty No. 1170 power grip plus line release, which allows easy line management, enhancing your fishing experience. The one foot per turn spool is simple to operate with either hand, making it easy to adjust while seated in your boat. This product is engineered to outperform competitors, giving you the edge in your fishing adventures.
Cannon Magnum 10 Electric Downrigger
The Cannon Magnum 10 is designed to enhance your fishing experience with its impressive 250 ft per minute retrieval rate, allowing you to bring in your catch quickly and efficiently. With a simple push of a button, you can automatically retrieve the weight, saving you time and effort while you focus on fishing. The positive ION control feature helps attract fish, increasing your chances of a successful day on the water. Additionally, the IP68 waterproof connections ensure durability and reliability, making this downrigger a solid choice for any angler.
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 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.
Scotty #1026 Swivel Mount for Downriggers
The Scotty #1026 Swivel Mount offers an easy and effective way to install your downrigger system, ensuring you can set up quickly and get on the water. With full 360-degree rotation and 16 locking positions, you can adjust your setup for optimal performance. The quick fastening stainless steel mounting knobs simplify the process of both setting up and removing the mount. It is designed to fit all Scotty downriggers, making it a versatile choice for any angler.
Cannon Clamp Mount for Downriggers
The Cannon Clamp Mount is designed to securely attach your downrigger to the gunwale or transom, ensuring stability while you fish. This mount is compatible with various downrigger models, including the Lake-Troll and Mini-Mag, providing versatility for your fishing needs. Its machined aluminium construction and powder-coated finish make it resistant to corrosion, perfect for enduring harsh marine environments. With a maximum clamp opening of 2 inches, this product offers easy installation and a firm grip, allowing you to focus on what matters most—catching fish.
Scotty #1106 Depthpower Electric Downrigger
The Scotty Electric Downrigger features a telescopic boom, extending from 36 to 60 inches, allowing you to reach deeper waters easily. Its sturdy marine-grade stainless steel construction ensures durability, making it ideal for saltwater fishing. You can quickly store the downrigger when not in use, thanks to its collapsible design. The adjustable speed lifts weights efficiently, helping you optimise your fishing experience without straining your boat’s battery.
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 181 fishing downrigger products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 10,110 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 £100.84.
The fishing downriggers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of fishing downriggers, including Scotty, Cannon.
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.