Outriggers for small boats

JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Boat Outfitters Staff July 28, 7 min read. Two important tools for trolling anglers are downriggers and outriggers.

If your dream is trolling for big game from your small boat, the size of your vessel need not stand in the way, as long as you have the correct setup and use of your small boat fishing outrigger. For successful fishing with outriggers, your aim is trying to achieve the irresistible illusion of a school of panicked bait. To achieve this, you need a white-water wake and a fishing outrigger. While this is probably the most challenging part of installing the fishing outrigger on your boat, the kit should come with instructions on how to attach the hardware. Ultimately, your boat creates a white-water wake, which in turn attracts a variety of bait fish.

Outriggers for small boats

A basic premise when trolling lures offshore is that the boat itself attracts fish. The prop wash, foaming water, etc. The fish come to check out the disturbance, and see the trolled lures as either stragglers from a school of bait being attacked, or as unsuspecting smaller predators trailing a school of bait. In small boats, especially those with outboard motors, the difficulty is finding spots to place the lures that are not too far back. Outboards have a tougher time producing clean wakes, although there are tricks to improve things. In addition, there are some types of lures and certain types of teasers such as spreader bars which swim best when the line is coming from above. So the rationale for using outriggers in ocean skiffs is that they allow you to place lures away from the wake in clear water areas, and also allow things like spreader bars and certain lures to be used more effectively. Longer, stiffer outriggers are more desirable. However, longer, stiffer outriggers are heavier, require heavier mounts, and can be more complex many larger outriggers have guy wires and stays to keep the rigger straight. Tubular fiberglass or aluminum are the norm. Some fishermen feel strongly that aluminum and stiff riggers are a necessity to troll lures effectively. However, it should be noted that many larger Australian fishing boats use tubular fiberglass without stays, and troll large lures without a problem. Gunnel, T-top, and bulkhead mounts are common.

Reelax Maxi with 7. Thanks to the unique Reelax

You've probably guessed what this article is about as the title Outriggers — Lure Trolling is a pretty good hint, but perhaps it should read "why your boat may be set up wrong if you have a foot sports fisher or smaller. There has been endless debate as to which motors will get you more fish, 2 stroke, 4 stroke, outboards, inboards, petrol diesels etc. Usually, the outcome is big boats with diesels will catch you more fish, but just maybe it has nothing to do with the size of boat and motors, maybe it's all about the outriggers! It's very different to the big boat. The riggers are much shorter and the tips are very low to the water, plus the gunwales are much lower than the big boats.

A plus-foot sport-fisher trolling a spread along a weed line without outriggers, complete with supporting struts and multiple lanyards, was once unthinkable. But what was an oddity 40 years ago became standard when shorter, simpler riggers hit the market with designs suited for even small center consoles and walkarounds. Zane Grey and other early innovators realized the advantages of spreading the baits to cover more water while pulling them outside the prop wash where they can be seen by fish more easily. Of course, outriggers steadily improved as new materials were developed and anglers fine-tuned the designs, incorporating features that now allow crews to troll a variety of baits, lures, teasers and combinations more effectively. There are several factors to consider when selecting outriggers for a new boat or for retrofitting an older one. While swing-out, gunwale-mount -models are still available for those looking for simplicity and lower cost, most setups nowadays are installed on hardtops, says Darin Asher with Rupp Marine, which builds outriggers for boats from 20 to feet. Rupp makes Top Gun outriggers, the first design that could be deployed from the helm without having to climb up on the covering boards to extend the poles and set up the rigging. Different coring materials are used, and some are thicker than others, requiring longer vertical bases. Does the boat have an upper station or are you planning to add one eventually?

Outriggers for small boats

When it comes to fishing boats, there are many different accessories and add-ons that can enhance your experience. One such accessory is the boat outrigger. Before investing in this fishing accessory, it's crucial to understand what it is and the various available options. In this post, we'll answer those questions and more! Outriggers are devices attached to a fishing boat's sides and extend beyond the hull.

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Obviously, your outriggers need to pivot, turn or fold for travel, docking and storage. Whether an outrigger pole is fixed length or telescopic is its most obvious characteristic, and the trade-offs are fairly straightforward. The most convenient bases, like the XD Crank Top 1. Also, and not less import, outriggers elevate the lines so the lures can run on the surface, which is particularly important on a smaller boat. Aluminum is heavier and more flexible than carbon and can bend under the strain of dredges or spreader bars. Rigged and Ready to Fish 9. Reelax Reelax Gunnel Mount with 4. With a canvas T-top, outriggers are typically mounted to an aluminum plate welded to the frame. Small Boat Outriggers — Yes or No? There are several reasons this higher angle of entry is important: Lures are more stable ie they spin less, so hooks are in a better position to get results There is less leader in the water, so there is less leader trail, and lures are more active and have a more consistent action. Optimal Trolling Speed is an imaginary number. Reelax Reelax Junior with 5.

Adding a set of outriggers to any boat will increase the number of strikes by accomplishing two basic tasks: adding width to the trolling spread, and allowing the captain to troll more baits.

Note: Comes as a Pair Some have live chat available or phone numbers or emails to contact them. Clips that release reliably under light pressure often can not be cranked up high enough for larger lures. Its a scissor arm outriggers capable of all skirted lures and larger sized baits. Obviously, your outriggers need to pivot, turn or fold for travel, docking and storage. Unfortunately smaller boats have a lot more leader dragging in front of the lure. Outriggers are long fiberglass or aluminum poles fitted to each side of a fishing boat and come in rigid or telescopic varieties, ranging between 15 and 35 feet in length. I snapped a Klicker clip between the snap swivels. Reelax Maxi with 7. Home Fishing Gear Outriggers. The poles are easier to lift and lower if they are angled out from the boat.