Kayak fishing has surged in popularity, attracting anglers seeking stealth, simplicity, and adventure on the water. Yet, kayak anglers face unique challenges, especially when targeting deep-water species like salmon, trout, and kokanee. Enter the Shuttle Hawk Downrigger Stacking System—a game-changing tool that streamlines deep-water trolling, maximizes time with lines in the water, and reduces the manual labor that often plagues traditional manual downriggers.
Meet the Creator: Spilt Milt Productions
Spilt Milt Productions is a well-respected voice in the kayak angling community, known for practical, hands-on content and a knack for demystifying advanced fishing techniques. The creator’s approach is rooted in real-world kayak fishing, using gear that’s accessible and effective for small-boat anglers. Through clear explanations and on-the-water demonstrations, Spilt Milt Productions has become a go-to resource for kayak anglers looking to up their game.
The Challenge: Manual Downriggers and Kayak Angling
Manual downriggers are a staple for deep-water kayak anglers, but they come with a significant drawback: every time you want to check your bait, reset your line, or stack another rod, you have to crank the heavy downrigger ball up by hand. This process is not only time-consuming but also physically taxing—especially when you’re sitting low to the water in a kayak Electric downriggers, while common on larger boats, are often too bulky and heavy for kayaks. As a result, kayak anglers have had to rely on manual solutions—until now.
The Shuttle Hawk Downrigger Stacking System: How It Works
The Shuttle Hawk is a compact, weighted, finned device that attaches to your downrigger cable. Its primary function is to carry your release clip and lure down the cable to a preset depth, where it stops and remains until a fish strikes. When a fish hits, the Shuttle Hawk releases and, thanks to its buoyant design, returns to the surface, ready for redeployment—no need to crank up your downrigger ball each time.
Key Features
Attaches to Downrigger Cable: Compatible with both wire and braided lines.
Dives Automatically: Uses the boat’s forward motion to “plane” down the cable, carrying your gear to the desired depth.
Automatic Return: Once released, it floats back to the surface, eliminating the need to manually retrieve the downrigger ball for every reset.
Enables Stacking: Allows multiple lines to be fished at different depths on a single downrigger, maximizing your chances of hooking up.
Pro Tips and Tricks: Making Downrigging Less Manual for Kayak Anglers
Drawing from Spilt Milt Productions’ on-the-water experience, here’s a comprehensive guide to using the Shuttle Hawk and related stacking techniques to make kayak downrigging faster, easier, and more productive.
Optimize Your Downrigger Setup for Kayak Stability:
Shorten the Boom: Spilt Milt recommends cutting down the downrigger boom so the ball drops just off the kayak’s side. This keeps the kayak stable and makes gear management easier.
Manual Downrigger Choice:
A compact manual downrigger, like the Cannon Uni-Troll 5, is ideal for kayaks due to its size and weight.
Deploying with the Shuttle Hawk
Simple Attachment: Snap the Shuttle Hawk onto your downrigger cable, attach your release clip and line, and let it dive.
Use Your Reel’s Clicker: Open the bail and engage the clicker to maintain tension as the Shuttle Hawk descends. This prevents tangles and ensures a smooth drop.
Preset Stops: Place a stop on the downrigger cable at the desired depth. The Shuttle Hawk will stop here, positioning your lure precisely.
Quick Resets: After a strike or bait check, simply reattach the Shuttle Hawk and let it dive again—no need to wind up the downrigger ball.
Weighted Stacker Rigs: A DIY Alternative
While the Shuttle Hawk is effective, Spilt Milt also showcases a homemade “weighted stacker rig” for even faster redeployment:
Build Your Own: Use a carabiner, 5-6 oz weight, 2-3 feet of heavy mono or Dacron, and a release clip. Attach the carabiner to the downrigger cable and the clip to your line.
Rapid Deployment: Drop the weighted stacker, and it rockets down to the downrigger ball in seconds—much faster than the Shuttle Hawk’s gradual dive.
Stack Multiple Rigs: Pre-make several stacker rigs. After each fish, simply grab a new one and redeploy. This minimizes downtime and keeps your lines in the water.
Downside: The weight stays at depth after release, so you’ll need to retrieve all stackers when you bring up the downrigger ball. However, the time savings often outweigh this minor inconvenience.
The Shuttle Hawk system shines when stacking lines:
Fish Two Rods on One Downrigger: Place your first release at the downrigger ball, then use the Shuttle Hawk to deploy a second line higher up the cable
Stagger Setbacks: Set the upper line (Shuttle Hawk) farther back than the lower line to avoid tangles and maximize coverage.
Continuous Fishing: When a fish hits the upper line, you can reset it without disturbing the lower line—keeping both baits in the strike zone longer.
Fine-Tuning for Kayak Anglers
Adjust Release Tension: The Shuttle Hawk’s release clip can be tuned for different line diameters and species. Loosen for light-biting fish, tighten for hard fighters.
Use Sonar: Rely on your fish finder to track the downrigger ball and target precise depths, especially when fish are holding shallow or suspended.
Speed Control: The Shuttle Hawk’s descent speed is influenced by boat speed. A slightly faster troll helps it dive more quickly, but balance this with your lure’s optimal action.
Retrieval Tool: Consider a small gaff or stick to grab the Shuttle Hawk when it returns to the surface, especially in windy conditions or if you have limited reach from your kayak.
Maintenance and Loss Prevention
Check for Twists: Occasionally, the Shuttle Hawk can twist on the cable and spin off during retrieval. Inspect the device regularly and ensure it’s seated properly on the cable.
Budget for Replacements: Shuttle Hawks are durable but not immune to loss. Keep a spare or two on hand, especially since they retail for around $15 each.
Spilt Milks' Efficiency Hacks
Pre-Tie Leaders and Baits: Have multiple leaders and baits prepped to minimize time spent re-rigging after each catch or bait check.
Organize Stackers: Store pre-made stacker rigs in a tackle bag or tray for rapid access.
Practice the Sequence: The more you practice deploying and retrieving stackers or Shuttle Hawks, the smoother and faster your workflow becomes.
Real-World Performance: On-the-Water Results
Spilt Milt Productions’ video demonstrates the practical benefits of these systems.
Catch Multiple Fish: Lands several kokanee without ever cranking up the downrigger ball, thanks to the Shuttle Hawk and stacker rigs.
Saves Time: Rapid redeployment means more time fishing and less time fiddling with gear.
Reduces Fatigue: Less manual cranking equals more energy for fishing and fighting fish.
While snap weights sometimes outperform downriggers, there are days when the downrigger (and stacking system) is the clear winner. Flexibility and efficiency are key advantages for the kayak angler. - Spilt Milk
The Verdict: Fish Smarter, Not Harder
The Shuttle Hawk Downrigger Stacking System, especially when paired with DIY stacker rigs, transforms the kayak angler’s experience. By minimizing manual labor and maximizing fishing time, these tools allow you to focus on what matters: catching fish.
Key Takeaways:
Shuttle Hawk: Best for easy, repeatable stacking and quick resets without raising the downrigger ball.
Weighted Stacker Rigs: DIY solution for ultra-fast redeployment, especially effective in shallow to mid-depth scenarios.
Stacking Lines: Increases your odds and keeps more baits in the water, crucial for maximizing kayak fishing success.
Pro Tips: Fine-tune your setup, practice your sequence, and keep your gear organized for the most efficient, enjoyable experience.
“Fish smarter, not harder.” With the Shuttle Hawk system and these expert tips, kayak anglers can do just that—enjoying more productive, less labor-intensive days on the water.
For more in-depth demonstrations and gear recommendations, check out Spilt Milt Productions on YouTube and explore the full range of stacking solutions for kayak anglers.
Downriggers are obviously the most proficient way to work the thermocline effectively. They put you at the exact depth you require and with downriggers, you can fish multiple rods and lures at the same time.
