Are outriggers necessary

BLOODBATH · Jun-20-2007, 09:43 PM

Ive got a 22ft and was debating on wheather to get outriggers for it.I usually fish for Yellowtail,dodos,Yellow Fin Tuna,Blue Fin Tuna,calicos,and threshers.I have zero experience with outriggers but figure they can can help in thresher and marlin fishing and maybe albie fishing.Right now I troll 3 from rod holders
,also I only have a 60gal tank so that limits my range.

El Jefe Grande3 · Jun-20-2007, 09:51 PM

It's important to vary your spread but outriggers are not mandatory. With that said, if you can rig your ride with them you will be better off.

JC

I hate seals · Jun-20-2007, 09:52 PM

Not really.

On my boat we have none and have caught plenty of fish. Back in the day my friend had a 20, then 22' Grady with none and we got plenty of fish as well.

Trolling 4 rods is fine around here. 3's fine too.

BiggestT · Jun-21-2007, 05:12 PM

For marlin, I'd say they are highly beneficial, if not mandatory from a small boat. On bigger boats with elevated view your odds increase in the gyros and live baiting them.

On threshers, pulling a huge spread is not as important. You find them, they find you. Two Bait-O-Matics, one offering off the downrigger.

Tuna don't care. You troll to find them, then live bait them.

tylerderdan · Jun-21-2007, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiggestT

For marlin, I'd say they are highly beneficial, if not mandatory from a small boat. On bigger boats with elevated view your odds increase in the gyros and live baiting them.

On threshers, pulling a huge spread is not as important. You find them, they find you. Two Bait-O-Matics, one offering off the downrigger.

Tuna don't care. You troll to find them, then live bait them.

I was just going to echo kind of the same thing. I do think they are really important for Marlin on a small boat, it's pretty much the only way to get a decent spread. I do find them reall handy for other trolling aswell. I guess if you get used to having them, it sure makes it nice. I can't wait for boat to get back from the shop from the latest round of upgrades and add my new taco outriggers to it.

JeffM · Jun-21-2007, 05:58 PM

My rig is a 22'. I got some nice Pompanettes - they look cool, but I think these guys are right on the $$, save your $$.

serenity now · Jun-21-2007, 06:05 PM

I have a 30 ft Express. We just had a tuna tower put on which cost serious coin. We took off the outriggers which is fine by me. I like to sight fish from the tower and don't like to troll unless there is no other way. We got marlin all summer last year without them. That being said, we will probably put them back on once all the other work is done. DOn't need them but nice to have

dumptruck · Jun-21-2007, 06:07 PM

Maybe you should ask someone who knows. Next question.Outrigger outshmiger whats the damn difference? Hey let's learn something on the internet, hey what a great idea. Bartender, send this man a napkin (.)(.)please.Spend the money you won't be sorry until it's too late anyways.

BiggestT · Jun-21-2007, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by serenity now

I have a 30 ft Express. We just had a tuna tower put on which cost serious coin. We took off the outriggers which is fine by me. I like to sight fish from the tower and don't like to troll unless there is no other way. We got marlin all summer last year without them. That being said, we will probably put them back on once all the other work is done. DOn't need them but nice to have

I have some gunwale mounted Schaeffer's for my Blackman 20. I definitely use them for pulling a spread for marlin and tuna as well. That said, as my fishing has evolved to ultra light tackle and now flyfishing, I too like to site fish 'em. The more specific the type of fishing I'm engaged in, the less I use the outriggers. They are nice to have.

sdfishkiller · Jun-21-2007, 07:04 PM

If you just want to increase your spread a little and get the marlin lures into some clean water, these work, Tigress Rod-Riggers. I have heard good things and the only bad thing I've heard was getting the rod out under load(i.e. 150# striper) can be a bitch.

Outriggers are so damn fun to use though, big game sportfishing at it's finest

hearing the snap gets the blood going every time.

getoffmyback · Jun-21-2007, 07:07 PM

If you can afford them.... GET EM !

Once you get used to the pain in the ass they are, you'll always want to troll more junk behind you....outriggers is the ONLY way to get more junk spread in the water.....Your trolling right ?....doesnt burn anymore fuel to put four more in the water at that point......My.00002 cents worth...

Ive caught a lot of fish off of the riggers....center rigger included, would I have caught them without the riggers ?....who the hell knows, but I aint taking any chances and NOT using them....Everything in the water , ALL the time...Thats my motto ............Worked for me for 25 years, but what do I know ?

Compromise · Jun-21-2007, 07:15 PM

To have as many line as legally possible and to keep your lines from overlapping while on the troll I would recommend Outriggers. Either that or split that 22footer right down the keel and add another 10 ft to the width of your boat. That should slow the lines down from crossing!

Buy the outriggers - find some good used one.

Happy fishing!

Rich