This article gives an overview of using a Lake-Troll manual downrigger.
Jump to:
- Lake-Troll Anatomy
- Serial Number Location
- Installing the Boom
- Attaching Swivel Head to the Boom
- Attaching the Crank Handle Assembly
- Attaching the Rod Holder
- Operation
- Adjusting the Depth Meter
- Blowback
- Resources
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.
Serial Number Location
Installing the Boom
- Insert the boom into the downrigger frame.
- Secure it by seating it firmly against the shoulder inside the frame and fastening the boom locking screw (#8 X 1” self tapping) so that it engages the hole in the boom.
Attaching Swivel Head to the Boom
- Spread the swivel head side plates and slip the assembly over the boom end.
- Leave the corrugated spacer in place until the assembly is snapped together.
- Remove the spacer and install the two #4 x 1/2” screws into the swivel head.
NOTE: Adjusting the angle of the boom head can help control cable wrap on the reel
Attaching the Crank Handle Assembly
- Make sure the thrust bearing is placed between both thrust washers.The spring should be oriented with the narrow end is toward the bearing.
- Slide the bearing, washers and spring over the shaft.
- Carefully thread the crank handle onto the shaft and continue turning the handle clockwise until the clutch is fully tightened.
Attaching the Rod Holder
The positive lock rod holder incorporates a locking disk that allows the rod holder to be aligned in 15 degree increments. Slide the rod holder tube into the clamp to the desired position within the recommended area (see below).
- Slide the rod holder tube into the clamp to the desired position within the recommended area (see below).
- Be sure the angled shoulders are facing up. Place the locking disk into the mating recess of the frame.
- Slip the clamp arms in place where the obround tab on the disk fits into the slot on the clamp.
- Slide the star washer between the arm of the clamp and the frame. Place the flat washer onto the bolt.
- Insert the bolt with washer through the clamp by entering the disk, going through the frame, the star washer, and out the other side of the clamp. Tighten the nut to secure the rod holder.
- Reposition the rod holder by loosening the nut and adjusting the tilt.
CAUTION: This rod holder is intended for use of up to Recommended Area to Clamp Rod Holder Star Washer Placement Angled Shoulder 30 lb. test line only, and is not recommended for use with any tackle IGFA rated higher than 30 lb. A safety strap (not included) is recommended for all applications.
The rod holder assembly is not warranted when used with tackle above 30 lbs. Equipment placed in the rod holders and the loss thereof is the responsibility of the user and is in no way warranted by CANNON, INC.. Mounting must be in accordance with the above instructions and diagram to be warranted.
Operation
After mounting the Cannon downrigger to your boat, release some line from your rod and reel so that the lure is anywhere from 5 to 100 feet behind the boat. This is called drop back.
Attach the fishing line firmly into the line release (see “Attaching the Line Release” for instructions). Lower the weight to the desired depth as indicated on the depth meter. Place the fishing rod in the rod holder and reel up the slack so that your rod has a slight bend in it. When a fish strikes the lure, the line will separate from the release. Then you will be free to fight the fish and bring it in on your rod and reel.
- 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.
- ADJUSTING THE CLUTCH TENSION-To Lower Weight To Raise Weight 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 swivelhead, as pictured. 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 0.
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 non-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.
