This article will give an overview of features and using the Cannon Lake-Troll and Mini-Troll downriggers.
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Lake-Troll
Lake Troll Models
The Making or Cannon Downriggers
Lake Troll Anatomy
- Reel-This is used to spool the cable, available in lengths ranging from 150 to 400 feet. Lake Troll is equipped with 100’ of 135 lb. test stainless-steel cable.
- Boom-This is used to extend the weight out from the body of the downrigger and has a pulley fixed to its end. The boom length is 18” composite boom. Fixed Boom.
- Swivel Head and Depth Meter-This relays the cable at the end of the boom to lower the weight and provides information as to how much cable you have run out, enabling you to choose your trolling depth.
- Weight-This is used to maintain the depth at which you want to fish. Sizes of weights range from 4 to 16 lbs. Lake Troll has a 8-lb weight capacity.
- Cable- This connects to the weight.
- Mounting Base-This attaches to the boat, enabling you to place the downrigger where you choose. Lake Troll is equipped with a Quick Mount Tab-Lock Base
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Rod Holder-This holds your fishing rods while trolling and may also be used for storing rods
Frame The Frame is the body of the downrigger. - Crank Handle- Used to drop the weight down or raise it up. Lake Troll Retrieval Speed 1:1 Meaning every one crank of the handle will raise it 1’.
- Frame- The Frame is the body of the downrigger.
Using the Lake-Troll
Operating the Lake-Troll Downrigger
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Lowering the weight
You can lower the trolling weight at a controlled rate by turning the crank handle gently counter-clockwise (away from the boom). Depending on how far you turn, you can let your trolling weight descend as fast or as slowly as you wish. Turn the crank handle clockwise (toward the boom) until the clutch is tight (the continuous clicking will stop and the handle will not turn forward any further). This gives you control to let it plunge rapidly or sink slowly to a predetermined trolling depth. With multiple downriggers, you could start all your weights creeping down, one at a time, and then stop them each in turn. -
Raising the Weight
Turn the crank handle clockwise (toward the boom) as rapidly as you desire to retrieve the trolling weight.
NOTE: IF THEY CALL AND ARE JUST INSTALLING THEIR MANUAL DOWNRIGGER AND THEY SAY IT WILL NOT GO DOWN, ODDS ARE THEY DO NOT HAVE A WEIGHT ON IT. -
Adjusting the Clutch Tension
The clutch is built into the crank mechanism. Turn crank handle clockwise to increase the drag and counterclockwise to reduce it. CAUTION: Remove weight from downrigger before traveling either by water or transporting on trailer. -
Adjusting the Depth Meter
The depth meter is located on the side of the swivel head, as pictured below. You can raise or lower your depth by turning the crank handle. The depth meter counts the revolutions of the reel and reflects your depth in feet. To reset the depth meter, simply turn the reel with your fingers backwards or forwards until you reach.
Blowback
Simply stated, blowback is what happens to the downrigger weight when you pull it through the water behind your boat. As your speed increases, so does the horizontal distance between the weight and your downrigger. The faster you go, the farther the weight is behind you. The farther the weight is behind you, the shallower the weight is. The following charts provide you with blowback information for three sizes of Cannon downrigger weights pulled at three different speeds with no lures attached and with no current. Current drag, water salinity and the use of none Cannon products will affect your actual trolling depth. As an example, the first chart shows that if you are trolling at 4 MPH with an 8-pound weight and you have 100FT. of cable in the water with no current; the down rigger ball is actually at a depth of about 80 FT.
