How to Mount Downriggers on a Bass Boat Without Drilling Holes

Bass boats aren't exactly designed with downriggers in mind. Most of us bought them to chase bass, not troll for kokanee. But if you've spent time on Strawberry Reservoir, Flaming Gorge, or other western fisheries, you've probably discovered that kokanee fishing can be just as addictive.

The problem? Most downrigger setups require drilling holes into your boat.

I wasn't interested in permanently modifying my bass boat, so I started looking for a solution that would let me run downriggers during kokanee season and remove them when I wanted to get back to bass fishing. My friend Steve helped us set up our boat for optimal trolling. Check out his stuff at BeaverTail Baits

Why Avoid Drilling?

Drilling holes into a fiberglass bass boat isn't something many owners want to do.

A permanent installation can:

• Reduce resale appeal
• Create potential leak points
• Limit flexibility
• Make it harder to return the boat to its original configuration

For anglers who only chase kokanee a few times each year, a removable setup makes much more sense.

The No-Drill Solution

The easiest option I've found is using this double fishing seat with a board mounted to it. The center post goes over the front chair mount. Instead of chairs, we mounted a thick piece of 2 x 6 on top, covered in boat carpet. The downriggers are then mounted on top of the board at each end. The board creates a stable platform for mounting one or two downriggers while distributing the load across a larger area.

For my setup, I used this exact crappie chair to mount a board to:

Recommended Crappie Chair:

My Bass Boat Setup

On my boat, I position the mounting board across the front deck and attach the downriggers near the corners.

This setup allows me to:

• Run four kokanee rods
• Keep lines separated
• Remove everything after the trip
• Avoid drilling a single hole

The entire system can be installed or removed in minutes. The mounting setup cost us under $500. The biggest expense came from writing the downriggers to the electrical system which can be avoided if you are using manual downriggers.

Is It Stable Enough?

This was my biggest concern before trying it.

When trolling at kokanee speeds (typically 1.3–1.7 mph), the setup remains surprisingly stable.

Even with larger cannonballs, I haven't experienced excessive movement or flex.

That said, always inspect your mounting points and verify that everything is secure before heading out.

Tips for Bass Anglers Trying Kokanee Fishing

If you're a bass angler making the jump into kokanee fishing, here are a few lessons I learned quickly:

Use Electronics

Finding schools of kokanee is far more important than lure selection.

Spend time watching your sonar and locating fish before setting lines.

Keep Speeds Consistent

Kokanee can be surprisingly picky about trolling speed.

A GPS speed between 1.3 and 1.7 mph is often a good starting point.

Bring More Lures Than You Think You'll Need

Kokanee have a reputation for changing preferences daily.

Having multiple lure colors and presentations ready can save a trip.

Some of our favorite lures come from BeaverTail Baits and Nebo

Expect a Different Fight

A 15-inch kokanee fights much harder than most anglers expect.

They're one of the most fun fish you can catch on light tackle.

Is a No-Drill Downrigger Setup Worth It?

For bass boat owners, absolutely.

A removable downrigger system lets you enjoy kokanee fishing without committing to permanent modifications. You can chase bass one weekend, kokanee the next, and switch between the two without changing your boat.

If you've been hesitant to try kokanee fishing because you didn't want to drill into your boat, a no-drill mounting board may be the simplest solution.

It has allowed me to expand what my bass boat can do while keeping it completely stock.

Final Thoughts

Bass boats are more versatile than many anglers realize. With the right mounting solution, you can successfully run downriggers, target kokanee, and enjoy a completely different style of fishing without making permanent changes.

If you're planning a trip to Strawberry Reservoir this season, don't let a lack of factory downrigger mounts stop you from giving kokanee fishing a try.