Downrigger
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There are many downrigger manufacturers today some of the more popular are Cannon, Riviera
Using a downrigger when trolling is one of the most effective ways to catch fish when fishing deeper water. Trolling with a downrigger gives you many advantages, by keeping the bait at the precise depth of the fish.
Technology such as fishfinders and depth counters combine to give you a no-fail fishing method. The downriggers consist of a braided wire hung off the end of your boat, and a heavy weight on the end of this braided wire.
With the aid of a fishfinder, you will know the exact depth the fish are. The downrigger is lowered to this depth; with a fishing line hooked to the release mechanism. When a fish bites, the line releases from the downrigger so you can fight your fish. The more expensive downriggers are equipped with precise counters assuring you of the depth of the weight.
The proper technique to using a downrigger is getting the right amount of tension on the line. As you lower the downrigger from your boat, the fishing line will tend to balloon slightly as it is pulled through the water. This is normal; just do not let it become excessive. You want to have just enough slack to avoid the tension pulling the line from the release, but having enough tension to know when you get a strike.
There is a good article about downriggers at Fishing Recreation if you would like to read more.