The 9 Best Manual Downriggers
Updated by · How we research
Which hand-crank downrigger suits your boat? Nine compared on boom, cable, retrieve speed, weight limit, mounts and counters. The Cannon Uni-Troll 10 STX leads. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
A hand-crank downrigger needs no battery to wire, has fewer parts to fail and costs much less than an electric one, at the price of more cranking. Its reel and short boom lower a heavy ball weight on stainless cable, so a lure trolls at a set depth. Lake and salmon anglers use them on kayaks, aluminum boats and bigger cruisers.
From the manual
- Cannon strongly recommends a deck plate on every boat when you use the telescopic boom, and the plate is sold separately. pp. 6-7
- Lifetime coverage is for the original buyer and covers the boom, reels and plastic parts; other parts get one year, and cable and weights none. p. 4
- Take the weight off the rigger before running to a new spot or trailering the boat. p. 11
Why the Cannon Uni-Troll 10 STX is our top pick
Our pick reaches farther from the hull and carries a heavier ball deeper than our runner-up, the Easi-Troll ST. Its stainless boom telescopes from 24 to 53 inches while the runner-up's is fixed at 24,1,4 so the cable can clear a wide hull or a second rigger, then slide back in when you don't need the reach.2 It holds 200 feet of cable against 150, and its maker rates it for a 20-pound ball against 12.1,4
Both share the one-hand clutch, the three-digit counter, the limited lifetime warranty and even the user manual,1,4,2 so the rest of the gap is in the box. Ours comes with a low-profile swivel base that turns a full circle and locks every 22.5 degrees, plus a hook to park the ball; the runner-up has neither.1,3 Its rod holder adjusts on two axes, which the manual says the runner-up's doesn't.2 Product pages list a 2:1 retrieve against 1.5:1, though the help center gives the runner-up 2:1 as well.1,4,3
The runner-up is the lighter rigger, at about 7.4 pounds to 11.5,1,4 and Cannon pitches it at smaller boats and anglers new to downriggers.4 Ours also asks for extra hardware: the manual strongly recommends a deck plate on every boat when you use the telescopic boom, and that plate is sold separately.2
| Cannon Uni-Troll 10 STX | Cannon Easi-Troll ST | |
|---|---|---|
| Boom | 24-53 in, telescoping | 24 in, fixed |
| Cable on the spool | 200 ft | 150 ft |
| Ball weight rating | 20 lb | 12 lb |
| Base in the box | Universal plus 360-degree swivel | Universal only |
| Rigger weight | 11.5 lb | 7.4 lb |
From the manual
- The boom needs the adapter that comes in the box to fit the Easi-Troll frame, so don't lose it with the packaging. p. 7
- Its rod holder adjusts on one axis; the manual's two-axis adjustment applies only to Uni-Troll models. p. 9
- The rod holder is meant for line up to 30-pound test, and heavier tackle takes it out of warranty coverage. p. 9
- Register the rigger and keep the receipt; cable, weights and the swivel lock pin carry no warranty at all. pp. 2, 4
Compare the specs
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Product | Boom (in) | Cable (ft) | Retrieve per turn (ft) | Ball weight (lb) | Depth counter | Mount in the box |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Cannon Uni-Troll 10 STX | 24-53, telescoping | 200 | 2 | Up to 20 | Three-digit | Universal and swivel base |
| 2. Cannon Easi-Troll ST | 24, fixed | 150 | 1.5 (help center: 2) | Up to 12 | Three-digit | Universal base |
| 3. Scotty 1060 Depthking | 23, fixed | 200 | 2 | 7-15 advised | Yes | 1010 slide-in deck bracket |
| 4. Scotty 1050MP Depthmaster | 23, fixed | 200 | 1 | 7-15 advised | Yes | 1021 clamp-on bracket |
| 5. Scotty Laketroller | 12.5 | 100 | 1 | 2-3 max | No, count turns | 241 side or deck mount |
| 6. Cannon Mini-Troll | 12, composite | 100 | 1 | Up to 4 | Swivel-head dial | Clamp, opens 2.5 in |
| 7. Troll-Master Seahorse | — | — | — | — | Yes | Varies by setup |
| 8. Scotty 1085 Strongarm | 30, fixed | 200 | 2 | 7-15 advised | Yes | 1023 tilt-up bracket |
| 9. Brocraft Mini | — | 100, braided | About 1 | Under 5 | No | Deck or side mount |
Ball weight is the maker's limit where one is published; for Scotty's 1050MP, 1060 and 1085 it is the range its manual advises, since Scotty publishes no limit. Cannon's product page gives the Easi-Troll a 1.5:1 retrieve and its help center 2:1. The Laketroller row is the 1073 bracket version. Troll-Master sells the Seahorse in several boom and base setups and publishes no single spec sheet, and the Brocraft row comes from a dealer listing, since we found no Brocraft spec page.
Sources
- Cannon Uni-Troll 10 product page Easi-Troll product page Mini-Troll product page Uni-Troll and Easi-Troll user manual (PDF) Mini-Troll manual (PDF) Help center: Uni-Troll and Easi-Troll Help center: Mini-Troll
- Scotty 1060 Depthking product page 1050MP Masterpack product page 1085 Strongarm product page 1073 Laketroller product page Manual downrigger booklet, 1050 to 1091 (PDF) Laketroller 1071 and 1073 manual (PDF) 2022 marine catalog (PDF)
- Troll-Master Seahorse owner manual (PDF)
- Brocraft Mini, dealer listing at Sporting Goods Depot
From the manual
- The clutch brake comes set to slip and pay out cable if the ball snags bottom; carry wire cutters in case it won't come free. p. 2
- No lubricants or spray oils on the rigger or its wire, since Scotty says they attack the plastic parts; rinse with fresh water instead. pp. 9-10
- Spooling more than 300 feet of 150-pound line, or heavier wire, throws off the depth counter. p. 10
- The lifetime warranty ends if you sell the rigger, excludes cable and snag damage, and is void if you use monofilament as downrigger line. p. 11
From the manual
- This is the one-foot-per-turn model; the two-foot spool and extendable handle come only on the 1060, 1085 and 1091. p. 2
- Scotty advises a 7- to 15-pound ball, enough to keep the cable at a sharp downward angle at the right trolling speed. p. 9
- Mount it near the stern, where the wire is least likely to swing under the boat and into the prop in a turn. pp. 4, 6
- Never pull a weighted or snagged cable up by hand; wave or boat motion can cause a serious injury. p. 9
From the manual
- The bracket version enters its bracket only when pointing inboard; on a side mount, set the bracket flush with the gunwale top for full rotation. p. 2
- Put a Scotty 441 backing plate, or wood or metal, under the gunwale behind the 241 bracket to spread the load. p. 2
- On the clamp version, Scotty suggests tying a safety line from the rigger to the boat. p. 2
From the manual
- The ball, line release and rod holder don't come with it; Cannon sells them as the Mini-Troll Accessory Pack 2250005. p. 2
- Keep a hand on the reel handle while lowering the ball; each turn lets out one foot. p. 2
From the manual
- Leave at least 4.5 inches clear in front of the base, and through-bolt all four screws with lock nuts. p. 2
- Most cable failures happen near the swivel terminator, so check there first and re-rig if the cable is kinked or frayed. p. 3
- Spray the boom pulley and swivel with anti-corrosion oil every few weeks, but never lubricate the drag, which works by friction. pp. 5-6
- The 10-year warranty covers the original buyer against defects in material or workmanship. p. 8
From the manual
- Scotty designed the 1085 for wide-beam boats 16 feet and longer and advises against it on smaller boats. p. 4
- Its tilt-up bracket must sit within a quarter inch of the gunwale edge so the spool clears when the rigger tilts. p. 7
- If the wire breaks or is cut, the tilt-up boom can fly up fast, so stand clear of it. p. 5
- Back the mounting surface with a wood or metal plate; in a snag, the long boom puts heavy leverage on the gunwale. pp. 4, 7
Editor's Notes
November 4, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
This pass read the makers' manuals for eight of the nine picks and added a spec table, a section on why the Uni-Troll 10 STX leads, and manual notes under those picks. We corrected the ball weights given for mini riggers, the blanket advice to oil pulleys, which Scotty forbids on its riggers, the Depthmaster's brake and mount, and an unsourced speed limit on the Laketroller. A 2020 note now says the Seahorse was inspired by the Penn Fathom-Master, not rebranded from it.
October 16, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
Downriggers don't change much, and most of this list held up. The Cannon Uni-Troll 10 STX stays on top for its telescoping boom, one-hand clutch and counter. The Scotty Laketroller, Cannon Mini-Troll and Troll-Master Seahorse stay too. The Scotty Depthmaster is now the Masterpack version, which adds a clamp mount, and the Brocraft Easy Catch is sold today as the Brocraft Mini.
Three old picks left because of availability concerns: the Big Jon Sports Siderigger, the Big Jon Sports Runabout and the Walker Mini Laker. Walker still makes riggers and sells them direct, so you'll find it in the special honors. We also dropped the Scotty Longarm. It's a big-boat rigger with a high price and little owner feedback, and the Scotty 1085 Strongarm gives mid-size boats a 30-inch boom for less.
New are the Cannon Easi-Troll ST, a cheaper way into Cannon's clutch and counter, and the Scotty 1060 Depthking, which cranks in about 2 feet of cable per turn for anglers who fish deep from small boats.
A few readers land here looking for electric downriggers. This list is hand-crank only: no battery to wire, fewer parts to fail and a much lower price, at the cost of more cranking.
Be aware that evidence is thin in this category. We found no independent tests, and owner reports for several models are scarce, so the entries rest on makers' catalogs, dealer spec pages, forum discussions and recall checks.
Earlier notes
November 19, 2020, by Brett Dvoretz:
In the world of manual downriggers, a few brands have the market cornered when it comes to quality units, and they don't release new models all that often. Rather, it seems they stick to the old adage of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" and tend to keep selling tried and true models for a long time. So, despite spending a lot of time looking for and researching new options, we didn't find any reason to remove or replace any of our previous recommendations.
A perfect example of the continuation of selling tried and true models is the Seahorse Troll-Master. For a long time Penn made some of the best and most popular manual downriggers. However, some years ago they decided to discontinue their entire line. At that point, Seahorse bought the design of the famed Penn Fathom Master and essentially just rebranded as the Seahorse Troll-Master with almost no modifications. They even provide support and service to the Penn models, which should make anyone owning one of the old Fathom Masters happy to hear. [2026 update: Sport Fishing magazine describes the Seahorse as a new design inspired by the Fathom-Master, made by Troll-Master, rather than the same rigger rebranded.]
Another very popular model that has been around a long time is the Cannon Uni-Troll 10 STX. A big part of what makes the Uni-Troll 10 STX so desirable is the rapid 2:1 retrieval rate, which means it reels in two feet of line for every crank. This allows you to get your cable and weight out of the water extremely quickly after getting a strike to prevent it from interfering with your line. In addition to the fast retrieval rate, it boasts a low-profile design that works well on a lot of vessels, a telescopic boom, and a swiveling base.
Scotty is known for making reliable downriggers as well, which is why we have three of their models on this list. Of these, the Scotty Longarm, with its 60-inch telescoping boom, is the best choice for anglers who like to put a lot of lines out in the water, though if you generally only put out a single line, you might be able to go with the Scotty Depthmaster, instead, and save a bit of money. Both offer depth counters and position-adjustable rod holders.
January 23, 2019, by Brett Dvoretz:
When selecting the best manual downriggers we wanted to make sure to find one to suit every type of boat and application. Because of this you'll find some compact models that are perfect for fishing canoes and kayaks, as well as larger option that can be mounted on fiberglass boats. We also made sure to offer different retrieval speeds and cable lengths for shallow and deep-water use.
Special Honors
Walker Downriggers Walker builds manual downriggers in the U.S., including the compact Mini Laker, and now sells them direct alongside Bert's Custom Tackle mounts, tracks and rod holders. It's worth a look if you want an American-made rigger and a matching mounting system from one source. walkerdownriggers.com
Match The Rigger To Your Boat
Full-size manuals hold 150 to 200 feet of cable on a boom of about 2 feet and usually come with a rod holder and a depth counter.
Start with your boat, because it decides the size of rigger and how you mount it. Mini riggers such as Scotty's Laketroller are built for small craft; Scotty's catalog calls it a rigger for aluminum boats, kayaks and canoes (Scotty catalog). These carry about 100 feet of cable on a boom of roughly 12 inches and take only light balls: Scotty's Laketroller manual sets 2 to 3 pounds as the most to use (Scotty Laketroller manual), and Cannon rates its Mini-Troll for 4. Most clamp to a gunwale or transom or bolt to a small bracket. Check the clamp opening against your rail: the Cannon Mini-Troll opens to 2.5 inches and Scotty's portable clamp to 2 inches, and Cannon advises a wood block behind thin aluminum (Cannon help center).
Full-size manuals hold 150 to 200 feet of cable on a boom of about 2 feet and usually come with a rod holder and a depth counter. Cannon rates its full-size models for 12 to 20 pounds. They weigh roughly 7 to 12 pounds, so they need a deck mount or a pedestal, and both big makers want reinforcement under it: Scotty a wood or metal backing plate, Cannon a deck plate on thin decks (Scotty manual, Cannon manual). A swivel base lets you turn the boom inboard to reach the ball.
Longer booms of 30 inches or more push the cable away from a wide hull, which matters on bigger boats and when you run two riggers. Scotty sells its Strongarm for intermediate boats and its Longarm, with a boom up to 60 inches, for big ones (Scotty catalog), and its manual says both are meant for wide-beam boats of 16 feet and up.
Weights, Cable And Reading Depth
The ball does the work. Sport Fishing magazine says 10 pounds is typical for most saltwater trolling, and that deeper water or faster speeds call for more weight to keep the cable close to vertical (Sport Fishing). Scotty's booklet for its compact and full-size riggers suggests 7 to 15 pounds, enough to keep the cable at a sharp downward angle at the right trolling speed. Never go past the rigger's rating: Cannon lists 4 pounds for the Mini-Troll (Cannon Mini-Troll manual), 12 for the Easi-Troll and 20 for the Uni-Troll (Cannon help center).
A depth counter tells you how much cable is out, not how deep the ball is. As speed rises, the ball swings back and rides higher than the counter reads: Cannon's manual charts an 8-pound ball on 100 feet of cable at 4 mph running about 80 feet down (Cannon manual). Riggers without a counter, such as the Scotty Laketroller and Brocraft Mini, bring in about 1 foot per turn, so you count turns instead. Retrieve speed matters more the deeper you fish: a spool that brings in 2 feet per turn halves the cranking of one that brings in 1 foot.
Most riggers come with stainless cable. It's tough but stiff, it can kink and it hums, and Sport Fishing suggests replacing it every year. Braided line is thinner, so it meets less water resistance, and it doesn't kink, but grit and nicks wear it down (Sport Fishing). Budget for cable yourself: Cannon's warranty doesn't cover it, and Scotty's excludes it and is void if you spool monofilament as downrigger line (Scotty manual).
Manual Or Electric, Care And Safety
Electric downriggers raise the weight at the push of a button, and some can be set to rise when they near the bottom, but they cost far more and need a battery and wiring. A manual rigger needs no battery, which Cannon says makes it a good fit for smaller boats or as a spare (Cannon). The cost is effort: cranking a heavy ball up from 100 feet many times a day gets tiring, which is where a fast spool or a longer crank handle helps. Joe Shead, a Minnesota fishing guide and outdoor writer, summed up the tradeoff in Sports Illustrated in June 2025: electrics are the most expensive option, but "well worth the investment if you're a frequent troller" (Sports Illustrated).
After each trip, rinse the rigger in fresh water and look over the cable for frays and kinks, above all near the terminator, where Troll-Master says most cable failures happen (Troll-Master manual). Oil only what the maker says to oil. Sport Fishing suggests lubricating pulleys, swivels and snaps, and Troll-Master wants anti-corrosion oil on the Seahorse's pulley and swivel every few weeks, but Scotty says no lubricants or sprays at all on its riggers, because they attack the plastic parts (Scotty manual). Keep the ball raised while the boat is running, and take it off before a long run or trailering, as Cannon's manual says. Wear gloves when handling cable under load, because stainless cable can cut and can whip if a weight lets go. Mount the rigger where the maker says, and tighten clamps firmly without overdoing it on plastic parts.
Rules on how many lines you can fish vary by state and by lake, so check your local regulations before you add riggers. We searched the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's recall database (CPSC) and Health Canada's recall site (Health Canada) for each brand on this list and found no downrigger recalls.
How we researched this
Nineteen hand-crank downriggers from six brands were in the running, and 10 got a close look. For the nine picks we read Cannon's shared Uni-Troll and Easi-Troll user manual and its Mini-Troll instructions, Scotty's booklet for the 1050, 1050MP, 1060 and 1085 and its Laketroller 1071/1073 manual, and Troll-Master's Seahorse owner manual, plus the makers' product pages, Cannon's help center and Scotty's 2022 catalog; we found no Brocraft manual, so its entry rests on a dealer listing. Sport Fishing magazine's downrigger advice and a 2025 Sports Illustrated piece by Minnesota fishing guide Joe Shead shaped the buyer's guide. Searches of the CPSC and Health Canada recall databases on November 4, 2026 found no downrigger recall from any of these brands.
Sources (15)
- Cannon: downrigger basics
- Cannon help center: Uni-Troll and Easi-Troll specifications
- Cannon help center: Mini-Troll specifications
- Cannon: Uni-Troll and Easi-Troll user manual (PDF)
- Cannon: Mini-Troll manual (PDF)
- Scotty 2022 marine catalog
- Scotty: manual downrigger booklet, 1050 to 1091 (PDF)
- Scotty: Laketroller 1071 and 1073 manual (PDF)
- Sport Fishing: downrigger fishing tips
- Sport Fishing: Troll-Master Seahorse downrigger
- Troll-Master
- Troll-Master: Seahorse owner manual (PDF)
- Sports Illustrated: Joe Shead, how to fish with a downrigger (2025)
- CPSC recalls
- Health Canada: recalls and safety alerts
Frequently asked questions
What is the best manual downrigger?
For most anglers, the Cannon Uni-Troll 10 STX. It has a telescoping 24- to 53-inch boom, a one-hand clutch, a 2:1 retrieve, a three-digit counter and a 20-pound weight limit. The Cannon Easi-Troll ST offers the clutch and counter for less.
What is the best downrigger for a kayak or small boat?
A mini rigger with a clamp or small bracket, such as the Scotty Laketroller or Cannon Mini-Troll. They hold 100 feet of cable and take light balls: 2 to 3 pounds on the Laketroller, 4 on the Mini-Troll. Check that the clamp fits your rail.
How heavy a downrigger weight do I need?
Stay within the rigger's rating: 2 to 4 pounds on a mini, and up to 12 or 20 on Cannon's full-size models. Scotty publishes no limit for its compact and full-size riggers but advises 7 to 15. Sport Fishing magazine calls 10 pounds typical for most saltwater trolling, and deeper water or faster speeds need more.
Manual or electric downrigger?
Manual riggers are cheaper, need no battery and have fewer parts to fail. Electric ones save cranking and suit deep, all-day trolling, but cost several times as much and need wiring.
Is Cannon or Scotty better?
Both are long-established. Cannon's full-size manuals offer a one-hand clutch deploy and three-digit counters. Scotty's use stainless booms, rod holders mounted on the boom and a wide range of mounts. Choose by boom length, retrieve speed and the mount that fits your boat.
Are Penn downriggers still available?
Penn's Fathom-Master manuals are hard to find new. The Troll-Master Seahorse follows the same design, and Troll-Master says it services original Penn units.
