DOWNRIGGER BUYING GUIDE
Learn how to select the best downrigger for all boats. Downriggers give you precise control over your bait as you troll at specific preset depths.
ELECTRIC VS. MANUAL DOWNRIGGERS
When choosing a model, the first question you need to ask is whether you want an electric or manual downrigger for your boat.
Electric downriggers use an electric motor to deploy and retrieve your downrigger weight, bringing it in faster and keeping your hands free for fishing. They also feature several advanced fishing and connectivity features. Electric downriggers will work on any boat with enough mounting space and an exclusive battery connection.
Manual downriggers use a hand-operated crank to lower and retrieve your downrigger weight. Manual downriggers don’t require a battery connection and are perfect to use on smaller boats with sizes and styles that can be mounted on anything from skiffs to canoes.
DOWNRIGGER ATTRIBUTES
Cannon electric and manual downriggers come in a few different configurations. Make sure the specs on your downrigger meet your fishing needs.
- LINE ON SPOOL
-
All Cannon downriggers come pre-spooled with Stainless Steel Cable in various lengths and strengths.
- SPOOL
-
The spool material you use is very important and should suit your style of fishing and even the environment you fish in.
- BOOM LENGTH
-
Your boom length determines how far from the side of your boat your weight drops. Cannon downriggers come with both telescoping and fixed booms, ranging from 12” to 53”.
- DEPTH COUNTER
-
There are three types of depth counters that display your line out, Digital LCD Screen, Three-Digit Analog, and Boom Swivel-Head Dial.
COMPARE DOWNRIGGER MODELS FOR ALL BOATS
FEATURES AT A GLANCE
|
|
ELECTRIC DOWNRIGGERS
|
MANUAL DOWNRIGGERS
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
OPTIMUM SERIES
|
MAGNUM SERIES
|
UNI-TROLL SERIES
|
EASI-TROLL
|
LAKE-TROLL
|
MINI-TROLL
|
|
Wireless Integration
|
Yes
|
-
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
|
Mobile App Control
|
n/a
|
-
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
|
Fish Hawk Compatible
|
n/a
|
-
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
|
Depth Cycle
|
Yes
|
-
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
|
Preset Depth Storage
|
Yes
|
-
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
|
Bottom Tracking
|
Yes
|
-
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
|
Adjustable Speeds
|
Yes
|
-
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
|
Waterline Zero
|
Yes
|
-
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
|
Soft-Stop
|
Yes
|
-
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
|
Short-Stop
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
|
Positive Ion Control
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
|
Auto Up
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
|
Removable Side Plate
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
|
Line on Spool
|
400'/150 lb Stainless Steel Cable
|
250'/150 lb Stainless Steel Cable
|
250'/150 lb Stainless Steel Cable
|
150'/150 lb Stainless Steel Cable
|
100'/135 lb Stainless Steel Cable
|
100'/135 lb Stainless Steel Cable
|
|
Retrieval Speed
|
250'/minute
|
250'/minute
|
2:1
|
1.5:1
|
1:1
|
1:1
|
|
Rod Holders
|
Dual Axis Adjustable
|
Dual Axis Adjustable
|
Dual Axis Adjustable
|
Single Axis Adjustable
|
Tube Style
|
Tube Style (Optional)
|
|
Mounting Base
|
Low-Profile Swivel
|
Low-Profile Swivel
|
Universal
|
Universal
|
Tab Lock
|
Clamp Mount
|
|
Depth Counter
|
Digital
|
Analog
|
Analog
|
Analog
|
Analog
|
Analog
|
|
Weight Capacity
|
20 lb
|
20 lb
|
20 lb
|
12 lb
|
8 lb
|
4 lb
|
|
Limited Lifetime Warranty
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Includes Line Release
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
-
|
|
Integrated Ball Storage Hook
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Enclosed Boom End
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
SHOP ALL DOWNRIGGERS
Ready to start fishing? Compare features between models and filter by what’s most important to you.
MOUNTING
Cannon offers mounting solutions for every type of downrigger and boat so you can set up a fishing spread that’s perfectly calibrated for boat and fishing. You can install the downrigger base directly to your boat, or use our mounting accessories to configure a setup you can adjust to different fishing situations.
ACCESSORIES
Once you’ve chosen your downrigger, select the accessories you need to hit the water.
HAVE WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW?
Angler leaning over the side of a boat to attach a line release to the downrigger weight
STILL NOT SURE?
In just two minutes we'll help you find the right downrigger for your fishing.