Traverse Rudder System: full assembly manual

Precision tracking. Tight turns. Serious control. Serious anglers don't just float — they control the water. The Traverse Rudder System is built for precision tracking, tight turns, and rock-solid stability no matter the conditions. Mounts directly to Micro Power-Pole brackets, handles heavy loads and heavy water with confidence. Outfitted with the oversized Fatback Rudder Blade and compatible with both foot and handle steering.

This article is the structured summary of the full Traverse Rudder System Assembly Manual. Download the printable PDF below.

At-a-glance

• Rudder Mount Footprint: 4.75" × 6.3" (8" to pin)
• Rudder Blade: 6" × 21"
• Material: fiberglass-reinforced nylon
• Mounts to: standard Power-Pole® Micro Anchor brackets
• Compatible with: foot pedal steering OR Traverse Steering Handle (handle sold separately)

Features

• Mounts to standard Power-Pole® Micro Anchor brackets
• Oversized Fatback Rudder Blade for maximum responsiveness
• Compatible with foot pedal steering or Traverse Steering Handle
• Fiberglass-reinforced nylon construction
• Steering Handle sold separately

What ships in the box

Major components:

1. Rudder Base — mounts to the Power-Pole bracket
2. Blade Assembly (Fatback)
3. Control System
4. Steering Handle (sold separately)
5. Steering Handle Mount

Hardware kit:

• A — M6×15 bolts ×4
• B — Pivot pin ×1
• C — Pulley hook ×1
• D — Rudder pull knob ×1
• E — Rudder line / cable tubing ×1
• F — Foot steering line ×2
• G — Screwdriver ×1

Assembly walkthrough (12 steps)

Step 1 — Mount the rudder base

Two installation cases — pick yours.

Case 1: Mounting to CAJO kayaks or Power-Pole Micro Spike Driver mounts (rigid hulls) Use four M6×15 screws to fix the rudder base to the center Power-Pole Micro Spike Driver mount.

Case 2: Mounting to CAJO Highlander Series inflatables Use four M6×15 bolts to secure the rudder base to the center Power-Pole Micro Spike Driver mount. Position the rudder base so its front mounting holes align with the two aft rows of inserts in the Power-Pole mount, then tighten all four bolts.

Step 2 — Place the blade onto the rudder base

Place the blade assembly onto the rudder base and align the pivot holes.

Step 3 — Insert the pivot pin

Insert pivot pin (part B) from the top of the aligned holes to secure the blade.

Step 4 — Set up optional foot steering

Feed the rudder steering line (part F) up through the bottom of the foot-steering port on the side of the rudder collar.

Loosen the locking bolt. Wrap the steering line once around the bolt. Feed the tag end down through the overflow hole. Pull snug and tighten the bolt to lock the steering line.

Repeat for both left and right side.

Step 5 — Connect to the Slide Lock Foot Brace

Thread the rudder line through the port on the front of the Slide Lock Foot Brace, then through the loop on the tension knob. Pull the line snug and tie a square knot on the tag end to secure it.

Turn the tension knob clockwise to shorten the rudder line until the foot brace fits your leg length. To lengthen the rudder line, pull back on the spring-loaded tension knob to release tension, feed out the line to the desired length, then let the knob snap back into place.

See Slide Lock Foot Brace manual for full foot-brace install detail.

Step 6 — Install the control system

Pull the indexing pin before installing the control system.

Insert the control system into the base slot until it is fully seated. The pivot wheel of the control system is keyed to the rudder collar and needs to be properly aligned when mounting.

Push the control system forward and release the indexing pin. Once the pin locks into place, the control system will be properly connected to the blade assembly.

To remove the control system: first pull the indexing pin outward.

Step 7 — Install the Steering Handle Mount

Secure the steering handle mount to a T-slot gear track using the provided hardware.

Use the locking tab to secure the steering handle to the mount.

Step 8 — Attach the steering handle

Insert the steering handle into the mount and secure it using the locking tab.

Step 9 — Adjust steering resistance

Rotate the rudder tension dial to increase or decrease rudder steering resistance. Set to your preference — more resistance feels heavier and more positive; less resistance feels lighter and quicker.

Step 10 — Rudder pulley install (Highlander Series)

Tie pulley hook (part C) to the rudder line, then attach it to the D-ring closest to your preferred position when stowing the rudder. Release it from the D-ring to lower the rudder.

Use the hook-and-loop line guides on the deck to secure the rudder line as it runs forward.

Step 11 — Rudder pulley install (Rigid Kayaks)

Pass the rudder line through the cable tubing.

Feed the rudder line through the clam cleat and tie the rudder pull knob (part D). From the stowed position, the rudder pull knob should reach the J-hook. When released, the rudder pull knob will rest against the clam cleat.

Step 12 — Stowage hook

Use the rudder stowage hook to secure the rudder blade when traveling.

Steering options

The Traverse Rudder System works with either steering method:

• Foot pedal steering via the Slide Lock Foot Brace — steering line tied to each foot pedal, foot pressure left/right turns the rudder. Pedal slides freely in unlocked mode for full range of motion.
• Steering Handle (sold separately) — mounts on a gear track inside the cockpit, hand-control of the rudder. Useful for one-hand-on-rod, one-hand-on-handle sight fishing.

You can run both at the same time — handle for fine work, feet for big course corrections.

Troubleshooting

For known steering symptoms, see:

• Steering handle: cable binding, fraying, or seizing — the known-issue article for the early production batch
• Rudder controls work one way but not the other
• Rudder pull-up cord too short — fix

Download the full PDF

The Traverse Rudder System Assembly Manual PDF contains all 12-step illustrated diagrams.

[PDF download link will be populated once the manual is uploaded to Shopify Files.]

Related links

• Anatomy of the Traverse Fatback Rudder
• Does the rudder kit include the Power-Pole bracket?
• Is the rudder included with each kayak?
• Steering handle: cable binding, fraying, or seizing
• Slide Lock Foot Brace manual
• Cajo User Care