Double Your Kokanee Coverage

Cover More Water for Kokanee with the Mack's Lure Shuttle Hawk Downrigger System

When summer arrives and kokanee move deeper into the water column, anglers need reliable methods to consistently reach fish holding in the thermocline. While leadcore line, diving devices, and trolling weights can help get lures down, nothing matches the precision and efficiency of a downrigger system.

For anglers looking to maximize their presentation and fish more effectively, the Mack's Lure Shuttle Hawk Downrigger System is a game changing addition to any kokanee trolling setup.

What Is the Shuttle Hawk?

The Shuttle Hawk is an innovative downrigger stacking system designed to help anglers fish multiple rods from a single downrigger cable.Attached directly to the downrigger cable, the Shuttle Hawk carries a release clip and lure to a predetermined depth. Once a fish strikes and releases the line, the Shuttle Hawk automatically planes back to the surface, ready to be deployed again.

This unique design eliminates the need to repeatedly crank your downrigger ball up and down every time the upper rod is triggered, saving valuable fishing time and keeping your gear in the strike zone.

Why It Works So Well for Kokanee

Kokanee are notorious for roaming specific depth ranges, often relating closely to the thermocline during the summer months. Success often depends on keeping multiple presentations running through these productive depths.

The Shuttle Hawk allows anglers to:

• Fish multiple rods on a single downrigger
• Cover a larger section of the water column
• Keep their primary lure presentation at the target depth
• Spend more time fishing and less time resetting equipment
• Increase opportunities to locate active schools of kokanee

Instead of raising your downrigger every time the upper line is released, the Shuttle Hawk automatically returns to the surface while your lower rod continues fishing uninterrupted.

How the Shuttle Hawk Works

Using the Shuttle Hawk is simple and effective.

Step 1: Set Your Main Line

Deploy your primary downrigger rod and lower it to your desired fishing depth.

Step 2: Install the Stop

Place a cable stop on the downrigger cable at least 10 inches above your first Ultra Release. Many anglers choose greater spacing often 10 feet or more to cover additional depths.

Step 3: Attach the Shuttle Hawk

Clip your second rod into the release attached to the Shuttle Hawk and slide the device onto the downrigger cable.

Step 4: Send It Down

Loosen the reel drag and lower the Shuttle Hawk into the water while maintaining tension. The forward motion of the boat and the Shuttle Hawk's weighted internal design cause it to dive down the cable until it reaches the stop.

Step 5: Fish More Water

Once the Shuttle Hawk reaches the stop, reset your drag and continue trolling. You are now fishing multiple rods at different depths on the same downrigger.

Step 6: Automatic Surface

Return When a fish strikes the upper line, the line pops free from the release clip. This triggers the Shuttle Hawk's internal weight system, causing it to plane rapidly back to the surface where it can be quickly reset and redeployed.

Key Benefits

Rapid Reset System

The Shuttle Hawk's biggest advantage is its automatic return feature. There's no need to crank up a heavy downrigger ball every time the upper line releases. Your bottom presentation remains at the target depth while you quickly redeploy the upper rod.

Double Your Coverage

Many kokanee boats have limited downrigger setups. The Shuttle Hawk effectively doubles the number of presentations you can run, helping you locate fish faster and experiment with multiple lure colors and actions.

Universal Compatibility

The system works with both braided and wire downrigger cables, making it compatible with most popular downrigger brands and setups.

Adjustable Release Tension

Typically paired with Mack's Ultra Release, anglers can fine-tune release tension to accommodate different trolling speeds, lure sizes, and fish species.

Affordable Upgrade

The Shuttle Hawk offers one of the most cost-effective ways to increase fishing efficiency and expand your trolling spread.

Pro Tip: Add a Drop Line for Maximum Attraction.Want to cover even more of the thermocline? Add a drop line to your stacked rod setup.

A drop line is simply a 3-foot leader with an additional lure attached to your second rod's line. Popular kokanee lure choices include:

• Hum Dinger
• Pee Wee Wiggle Hoochie
• Wedding Ring Classic

Attach the drop line to your upper rod's main line and let it trail behind the boat. This creates multiple lure actions and profiles throughout the strike zone. This technique can be especially effective when kokanee are scattered throughout the thermocline and responding to different lure actions.

Final Thoughts

The Mack's Lure Shuttle Hawk Downrigger System is one of the smartest upgrades kokanee anglers can make. By allowing multiple rods to fish from a single downrigger while eliminating constant resets, it keeps more lines in the water and more lures in front of fish. For anglers targeting deep-water summer kokanee, the Shuttle Hawk delivers exactly what every fisherman wants: more efficient trolling, more coverage, and ultimately, more opportunities to put fish in the boat.