Scotty 1060 Depthking Manual Downrigger 23" w/Rod Holder

The Scotty 1060 Depthking is Scotty's high-speed manual downrigger - the small-boat trolling solution for anglers who fish deep without the cost or weight of an electric downrigger. This bundle includes the downrigger unit, the integrated 355 Rodmaster II rod holder mounted on the boom, the 1010 Quick-Slide deck mounting bracket, 200 ft of 150 lb test stainless cable pre-spooled, and the Power Grip Plus line release. Everything you need to fish deep on day one, minus the lead cannonball weight (sold separately).

What a downrigger does. A downrigger is the device that precisely places your trolling lure at the exact depth where the target species is holding. The mechanics: a heavy weight (typically 6-10 lb lead 'cannonball', sold separately) attaches to the downrigger cable. Your trolling line attaches to the cannonball via a release clip (the Power Grip Plus included with this unit). You lower the cannonball down to your target depth (the depth counter shows exact depth as the cable pays out). The cannonball pulls your trolling lure down to that depth. When a fish strikes, the line pops free of the release clip and the fight is fought on your regular rod and reel - the cannonball stays on the downrigger cable. Why this matters: most deep-water species (salmon, lake trout, walleye, kokanee, deep-water stripers) hold at specific depths in the water column - 30 ft, 60 ft, 90 ft - that surface-trolled lures can't reach. A downrigger gets your lure to that exact depth and keeps it there throughout the troll. Without a downrigger, you're limited to lures that naturally sink during the troll (deep-diving plugs reach 25-40 ft depending on the lure, lead-core line reaches similar depths) - much shallower than the actual fish-holding depths in deep cold-water lakes and coastal saltwater.

Why manual vs electric. Electric downriggers (Scotty's own electric line, plus competing brands) are powered by 12V and raise / lower the cannonball at the press of a button - faster and easier than manual cranking. But electric units cost 3-4x more than manual, add weight to small boats, require 12V wiring to be installed, and add a failure point (motors, electronics, switches). Manual downriggers are simpler, cheaper, lighter, and more reliable - and on small boats where space and weight matter, manual is often the right choice. The high-speed 2-foot-per-turn spool on the Depthking makes manual retrieval substantially faster than slower 1-foot-per-turn manual downriggers - meaningful difference when you're cranking the cannonball up from 80+ ft of depth several times per day.

High-speed 2-foot-per-turn spool. The Depthking spool retrieves 2 feet of cable per crank vs the typical 1 foot per crank of standard manual downriggers. To pull a cannonball up from 80 ft of depth: 40 turns at 2 ft/turn vs 80 turns at 1 ft/turn. Half the cranking time. Meaningful when you're battling a fish (you need to clear the cannonball out of the way to fight the fish freely), repositioning the boat for the next pass, or just changing depths frequently during the troll. The faster retrieval is the headline feature that justifies the Depthking name vs cheaper Scotty manual models.

Extension handle for heavy weights. The Depthking includes an extension handle that snaps onto the standard crank for added use. Used when retrieving the cannonball under heavy load - heavy cannonball (10 lb vs 6 lb), deep water with lots of cable drag, or fish drag on the release clip during a strike. The extension handle dramatically reduces shoulder fatigue during heavy cranking. For occasional retrievals or light loads, crank without the extension. for heavy retrievals, snap on the extension and use both hands for use.

Positive-drive depth counter. The spray-protected depth counter shows exact cable depth as the cable pays out - readable at a glance during the troll. Positive-drive means the counter is mechanically coupled to the spool (not a friction-driven counter that can slip). The counter accurately shows your current depth to within a foot, critical for precisely targeting the depth where fish are holding. The counter is sealed against spray and the typical wet conditions of trolling.

200 ft of 150 lb test stainless cable. The unit ships pre-spooled with 200 feet of 150 lb test stainless steel cable. Practical implications: (1) 200 ft of usable depth assuming straight-down deployment - more than enough for typical lake trout / salmon / striper depths (rarely deeper than 100-130 ft). (2) 150 lb test is rated well above the load of a 10 lb cannonball plus the cable drag through the water at troll speed - solid safety margin against cable breakage. (3) Stainless steel doesn't corrode in saltwater, doesn't kink and weaken from repeated bending, and lasts the life of the downrigger with normal use. Replacement cable is available from Scotty when needed.

23-inch stainless boom. The 23-inch boom (3/4 inch diameter) extends the cable outboard of the gunnel so the cable runs clear of the hull and propellers. Long enough for the typical small-boat installation where the downrigger mounts on the gunnel or deck near the stern. Marine-grade stainless throughout - no corrosion concerns in saltwater. The boom rotates so you can deploy the downrigger when fishing and rotate it out of the way for transit / docking.

Integrated 355 Rodmaster II rod holder. The 355 Rodmaster II adjustable rod holder mounts directly on the boom of the downrigger - the rod holder for the trolling rod that connects to the downrigger via the release clip. Adjustable angle so you can set the rod tip position appropriately for the trolling configuration. Interior diameter 1.85 inches - fits all standard trolling rod handles. Integrating the rod holder on the downrigger boom is meaningful for small boats where gunnel space for separate rod holders is limited.

1010 Quick-Slide deck mounting bracket. The included 1010 Quick-Slide deck mounting bracket bolts permanently to the boat's deck or gunnel and accepts the downrigger via a quick-release slide - install the downrigger when fishing, slide it off and store inside the boat when not in use or trailering. Practical for boats that don't have a permanent downrigger location, or for boats that need to remove the downrigger for routine transit or storage. Quick-release means roughly 5 seconds to mount or unmount the downrigger - no tools required.

Largest clutch brake in the industry. The clutch brake on the spool has the largest braking surface of any downrigger Scotty offers - and Scotty claims the largest in the industry. Practical impact: in the event of a bottom hang-up (cannonball stuck on a snag, log, or sunken structure), the clutch slips and pays out cable instead of either jamming the downrigger or breaking the cable. You can pull the boat free of the snag and recover the cannonball later, rather than losing the cannonball and possibly damaging the downrigger. Critical safety feature - bottom hang-ups happen regularly in serious downrigger fishing.

Power Grip Plus line release. The included Power Grip Plus is Scotty's premium release clip - adjustable tension so you can dial in the holding force based on your bait and target species. Heavier tension holds the line through aggressive trolling and current. lighter tension releases on lighter strikes. Field-proven design that's been the standard reference release clip in the downrigger market for years.

Cannonball NOT included. The downrigger ships without the cannonball weight - you supply a 6-10 lb lead cannonball appropriate for your typical trolling depth and current conditions. Cannonballs are widely available at any marine fishing supply for $15-30 each. Sizing: 6 lb is the typical pick for protected freshwater trolling, 8 lb for typical Great Lakes / coastal trolling, 10 lb for deep / heavy-current trolling.

Install. Mount the 1010 Quick-Slide bracket on the gunnel or deck near the stern using stainless mounting hardware (not included - use #10 stainless screws with proper backing). Mount in a location where the boom can extend outboard without interfering with steering or other gear. Quick-Slide the downrigger onto the bracket and you're ready to fish. For permanent installation, the downrigger can be bolted directly without the Quick-Slide bracket - but most operators prefer the removable Quick-Slide configuration.

Warranty. Scotty's standard limited warranty applies. Save the receipt and the original packaging. Warranty service runs through Scotty's authorized dealer network in the U.S. and Canada. Most field failures Scotty sees in the Depthking line are user-error related (overloading the cable beyond 150 lb test, mounting on insufficient backing, leaving deployed during transit) rather than manufacturing defects - careful use delivers many seasons of trouble-free service.