Installing Downriggers on a Kayak 

This guy knows what he’s talking about. I’m glad old town has real fishermen like him supporting and endorsing their products.

For backing plates, I buy the dirt cheap plastic cutting boards at wall Mart. You can cut them to the size you need and drill holes in them. Used them on my fiberglass boat and on my kayak.

Great video. I went ahead and ordered the v lock mount with the optional back plate direct from their website . Shipping was fast only took 4 days for me. Will install this weekend on my AP 120 with the cannon lake troll down rigger.

Tyler, great video! Have you done a video of the V-block & Backing Plate Installation? Would be interested in any insights before I start drilling holes in my PDL 120. Thanks.

Nice video, Tyler.

Looks like the perfect solution. Thanks for sharing.

Great video

As I noted earlier, this is a great video, and I agree with the comment that "this guy knows what he's talking about". However, there are a number of details that potential installers, like myself, should take into consideration before you start drilling holes. First, based on this video, I understood that, rudder controls aside, the installation of the motorized version and the PDL would be similar. Consequently, I ordered the V-lock, with the medium bent insert (Note: the higher bent plate will NOT work without an adapter plate for the Lake Troll because the "bend" reduces the width by ~2.5"), and the 1/2" starboard backing plate. Next, I cut 4" off of the Lake Troll's fiberglass boom which reduced the overall length of the boom (from DR exit spool centerline back to the V-Lock mounting plate) to ~18". The majority of the moment load is reacted by the two bottom bolts connecting the V-Lock to the starboard backing plate. However, this assumes that everything is "plumb & level". Unfortunately the vertical plane of the kayak mounting location (behind the seat) is NOT Vertical, it is flat, but that means the downrigger will be tilted between 15 and 20 degrees toward the water. Additionally, using the "shorter" Cannon supplied mounting bolts cause the V-Lock to be mounted too high, and you will not be able to get the V-lock assembly low enough to have sufficient edge distance (additionally, the screws will be in direct contact with the top surface of the kayak). Obviously, this is not Cannon's fault - I am just pointing out that clearance is an issue. Once I attached the Lake Troll's tab-lock base to the insert, I cut the bolts flush to the nut using a dremel tool. Bottom line is that I am not ready to start drilling holes in my PDL 120. One solution I am considering is a custom starboard wedge spacer between the V-Lock and the kayak in order to get V-Lock assembly as vertically plumb as possible. If anyone else has found an alternate solution, kindly reply below. TIA.

I followed these instructions pretty closely in order to install the V-Lock to my Hobie Revolution in order to mount a Cannon Laketroll downrigger. Had to be creative with the positioning, but it ending up turning out awesome! I had a wonderful time catching more lake trout than I ever have over the weekend while trolling just off the bottom in 70ft of water!

We recommend the Cannon Lake Troll model - it retails for $149.99.

Just finished installing mine! That little bungie attachment on the Salty PDL was a pain to work around, but I look forward to using it!

I love your videos I have an autopilot 136 and I love it! Where can I get the aluminum bracket so I can install the same down rigger setup that you have?

Hello Spilt Milt, just love your channel! How many inches did you take off of your downrigger boom? I have your exact setup, Autopilot 120, Cannon, V-lock, mounted exactly as yours is. More precisely, how many inches should the downrigger line be away from the side of the kayak? Thanks!!!

I like the mount, that's a nice set up. I hate to tell you though, braid hums going through the water too. I've run 150 and 250 lb braid on my setups and they both hum. It doesn't bother me though. I can gauge how fast I'm moving through the water by the variation of tone.

Did you consider the easi troll model at all? It looks to be only 2" longer (frame size) and 1" taller, but it retrieves at a 1.5 to 1. Any thoughts or considerations I would like to hear. My plan is to run it to the back so the boom would parallel the kayak. Thanks again.

Do you have a link to where someone ( me) can dons a Mount like that? I’m waiting for my Bigwater 132 to come in and I have a Scotty 1050 I need to Mount. Thank you and great video.

Hey ya. I’m gonna buy the gear you highlighted. The best way I know how to support you and your channel is to buy from your links. Have links for the lake troll downrigger, braided line, aluminum mount, and backing plate?

Thanks for the video! Im right handed, and have the 120pdl sportsman. Which side do you feel is the easiest to operate? It looks like the best mounting spot is behind the seat like your video? Also, do you mount the mounting plate insert flush to the top or does it matter? Thanks in advance!

Any opinions on using gimbal mounts in the built in rod holders for downriggers? Or what kind of products would you consider using for mounting them on the handles? Thanks!

salmon love that humm though! i will say i am too terrified of putting a rigger on my yak due to possibly snagging an unmarked fishing net on lake superior.

I bought some for my AP 120 from Old Town so I just need to install them

If it's true that (for example) drilling holes to install a boonedock landing system nullifies lifetime warranty, would drilling holes to install the v plate for the downrigger setup also cancel out warranty? I understand the v plate is simply going into a rod holder slot but I'm just curious as any mods I try to achieve without drilling holes. Thank you, great video.

Wish u lived in my neighborhood

Hello, mount the manual Scooty downrigger with 4 lbs weight on the autopilot 120 Rear railing with Scooty quick release rail mount, do you think the rail will hold ? Thx.

That V clip is pretty cool. Does that come with the top mounting plate?

One question, were did u get the mounting bracket for the down Rigger? If u made it how much to get one made. I have a Old Town Salty PDL120

For the v-lock did you use the standard or extended insert?

Good video Tyler!!! Can you please send me links on where you bought the V Lock mounting plate for my Auto pilot 136?

How did you attach the downrigger base to the v-lock Bent Insert? Did you drill into it and then secure it with bolts?

If we wanted to mimic the v lock system like you had. I assume its the 4" plate, regular length, 45 degree bend with the 2.5 or 3" scews?

When you put the extra rod holders in the back what size hole saw did you use Thank you

Can the cannon lake troll down rigger be mounted on a Sportsman 106 MK with the V-Lock mount? How would you get the backing plate in there? Is there a link to the website to buy the v-lock and backing plate?

How did you get the seaboard in there?

Great video but curious if anyone has simply used a gimbal mount for their downrigger and simply dropped it into the available rocket launchers available?

What cannon downriggers in this?

My buddy has a paddle kayak and his solution for a down rigger is to convert an old cordless drill into a down rigger ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-LKj1L4tOoLM.html Great Video Tyler thanks for all the excellent work! I use a 3lb ball and that seems to work fine, although I haven't fished below 40 feet yet. My braid hums like crazy for what it's worth.

The downrigger (Cannon brand) is more expensive than my kayak hahahaha