I have used a "little laker downrigger" on my herters canoe successfully. I run the dodger below on the downrigger and the have my fly, spinner or other trolled offering about a foot above and a foot behind the flasher or gangtroll. It works surprisingly well, but can be a bit tricky to get into play. You also fight the fish without the added strain on your rod, and with no excess weight. I have used the same setup on my big boat for kings and humpies. Andy