How To, DIY Poor Mans Down Rigger for Kayak Fishing

DIY Poor Mans Downrigger for Kayak Fishing.
Here is a quick DIY, How To, video on how I use a DIY Downrigger for my Kayak for Kokanee Kayak Fishing. A simple deploy-able 3 lb Down Rigger ball with a line clip attached to a para-cord spool attached to the Kayak and trolled over the side.
I love coming up with DIY and How To solutions for my Kayak. This is my version of a solution. What do you use to get your Kokanee Trolling Tackle down to depth while Kayak Fishing? Have you ever used a Down rigger setup to Kokanee Fish from a Kayak?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
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[@billr4283]

Great idea!! Using the line counter on the primary reel instead of buying another is simply brilliant. I plan to jury rig mine with with an old reel, loaded with braid and cut-off rod. Thanks!

[@holeshotmx4112]

This is a fantastic idea i was trying to figure out how to fish lake michigan salmon while trolling

[@stevebrandner4321]

Great system. I made a similar system for my little 10ft tin boat. I tied off loops in the cord every 10ft and connect it to a handle on the back of my boat with a carabiner. 10ft increments seem to allow me to get close enough to the depth of the fish that they bite. It's been fairly successful for kokanee.

[@kayakmike262]

Thats a great idea. I wind my line on a spool so that wouldn't work for me. Its a great little system for those of us with smaller craft and we don't need to spend a lot of money either :) Excellent. Thanks for the comment.

[@richardreynolds5278]

Brilliant! Thanks for the idea!

[@JimTheHunt]

I like it.

[@therosses5]

Yale reservoir in Clark county? If yes, get St Helens in your video, man. One summer I saw a HUGE column of Kokanee not too far from the dam between 40-60 feet. Nice video. Good luck.

[@kayakmike262]

Yep. Yale res. In Clark Cnty. Near Cougar. Yale and Merwin are great for Kokanee and Swift is great for big rainbows. Thanks for watching!

[@forsakenpath4992]

Nice solution! Just an idea... Think thinner line (like a heavy braid) will work better? Maybe on a dive reel for easy retrieve. Less resistance and blowback as you drag it through the water.

[@kayakmike262]

MetalNFish I thought about that. I’m sure you are correct. Smaller diameter on the line should equal less drag. However, the para cord makes it easier to pull up by hand. I don’t know that I would go deeper than 40 / 50 feet with this setup.

[@markwybierala4936]

Thank you Kayak Mike. I’m looking for ideas on homemade down riggers. The very basic hand-crank downriggers made for canoes and kayaks are far too expensive considering how simple they are. None of them seem to be made very well and I can’t help but feel like I’d be a victim if I bought one.

[@jacobstanley5489]

What pole is that!? Looks like for canoes also

[@seanmccarthy3289]

Hey tried something similar but the parachird get twisted which makes the weight spin which tangles everything up! Have you dealt with that at all? How do you keep the weight from spinning?(I do have a downrigger weight )

[@kayakmike262]

Sean McCarthy wow. I have not had that problem. Are you moving forward when mowing your weight down? That is key to this process. Also, I clip my gear into the downrigger clip about 6 to 8 feet back from the dodger. This way I’m not only moving forward but I’m trailing 6 to 8 feet of line and gear. This keeps the weight from spinning. Mike

[@ocrun6765]

How about trying a swivel on the connection from the paracord to the weight? That way the paracord can untwist itself without spinning the weight.

[@ocrun6765]

Does the paracord rub and wear on the side of your kayak?

[@kayakmike262]

OC Run - Hey thanks for checking in. So far no. The para cord is basically in one spot after I lower it down. I don’t let it slide along the side of the kayak when lowering or retrieving. The ball is only 3 lbs so not that heavy. I have an idea to bolt down a little 4 inch guide for the line so it doesn’t touch the side. I’ll post it when I’m done testing and if it’s worth sharing. Thanks for watching and the question! Be safe out the and tight lines. - Mike

[@illyadmark3223]

How would you handle not having a pedal drive yak?

[@kayakmike262]

Mark Parrett I do have a pedal drive. This kayak is the Perception Pescador Pilot 12.0 I really like the prop pedal drive. It’s quick to response and instant reverse:)

[@kayakmike262]

Mark Parrett ok. I misread your original moment. So without a pedal drive I would make sure I give a good paddle dig to get me moving forward then deploy. Now as far as keeping speed consistent that might be the tricky part. Without electronics to see straight away I would pace other boats.