SportFishing and Charters Forum - Kingfish rocket launcher on T top. Is a portable outrigger a good option for this??

I have a possible customer wanting a shorter set of my carbon fiber retractable outriggers for his new big contender that is primarily used for king fishing with No out rigger mounts. Yes No outrigger mounts in a big new center console T top. He wants the option of outriggers occasionally without the normal mount installation? Is there any other problems anyone sees besides the shallow angle and a bungee or safety line? They will only weigh a couple pounds so I do not think the weight will be a problem. They retract down to 5 ft so storage is smaller then a rod or gaff. Should I ask this question on the SKA site or would that be sacrilage?? They are pretty hard core over there.

I have always felt that the aft rod holders were stronger than the side mounted ones, and my guess is that there would be too much stress on the side mounted rod holder as you can not determine everything that will be pulled from the rigger.

I think if anything would break it would be the pin in the holder.

It would work fine from a strength perspective. I run 8' rods out of an outrodder off the outside t-top holders sometimes, and that's with drag and everything.

With a rigger clip there should never be more drag than that.

I've used a pair of 12' for years ... they work great.


http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/1770/hpim0963qc3.jpg

I've used a pair of 12' for years ... they work great.

Hmmm. Are you saying that you are installing & using 12 ft outriggers in the side mounted rod holders of your t-top meant for 20 lb test kingfish rods?

Hmmm. Are you saying that you are installing & using 12 ft outriggers in the side mounted rod holders of your t-top meant for 20 lb test kingfish rods?

Yes ... for 8-10 yrs and I'll continue to do so until I have a problem.

Yes ... for 8-10 yrs and I'll continue to do so until I have a problem.

Do you happen to have a pic of your setup on the boat?

Yes ... for 8-10 yrs and I'll continue to do so until I have a problem.

Now I am waiting for the guy that started this question to get back to me. One more question? How or do you secure the 12 ft outrigger in the rod holder? I was just concerned about the shallow angle of a kingfish rod holder. My retractable 12 ft outriggers are only 2 lbs each.

Redweiser, a pic would be awesome. I think that would be a good way for me to go on my Mako 261

My buddy's still working on the boat, I'll snap a pic when we go again.

Length is actually about 11 1/2'

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/2875/76410161.jpg

Is that a pulley on the end? If so what kind?

Now I am waiting for the guy that started this question to get back to me. One more question? How or do you secure the 12 ft outrigger in the rod holder? I was just concerned about the shallow angle of a kingfish rod holder. My retractable 12 ft outriggers are only 2 lbs each.


Mine are also about 2 lbs each. I use a safety snap on the T-top to the end eye but
I've never had one pull out, they lock in pretty tight with a 5 degree rise.




http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/2875/76410161.jpg

Just get a set of the Tigress clamp-on outrigger mounts for the T-top tubing, rather than making something that was designed for a different job. I've used a set for >2 years with no problems.

Just get a set of the Tigress clamp-on outrigger mounts for the T-top tubing, rather than making something that was designed for a different job. I've used a set for >2 years with no problems.

If you already have a convenient welded on out holder ... why buy an extra $600. holder to clutter up the T-top.

Just get a set of the Tigress clamp-on outrigger mounts for the T-top tubing, rather than making something that was designed for a different job. I've used a set for >2 years with no problems.

That have No out rigger mounts on purpose. but do have king fish rod holders welded on to the T top. That is why I started The original post. Why buy Tigress clamp ons?? when the boat is designed to go very fast with No outrigger mounts and the potential to bend aluminum out riggers that are not used in king fish tournaments. This is only for when the boat is used for other type fishing occasionally.

at 12 ft long or maybe 13 at the longest. The original guy wanted 15 ft but 12 ft is a lot cheaper with out the extra clamp and piece.Which means No bend piece. So I am thinking 275 each.
http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/bligh1/Carbon%20Fiber%20Rod%20Holders/P1010004-11.jpg

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/bligh1/Carbon%20Fiber%20Rod%20Holders/P1010013-6.jpg
only one set of welded stainless eyes on each clamp also. I want feed back good and bad.

Hi Bly, I think loading a tiny aluminum gimbal pin in a T-top rod holder with a rigged 12' outrigger pulling a lure or bait is more of a concern than the load of a retracted outrigger on an outrigger mount running at high speed. You call it clutter, I call it using the right tool for a job (BTW Red, I paid $300 for the mounts, not $600). I don't trust the little gimbal pins in most production rod holders. I have had gimbal pins and rod holder tubes fail under load when I was working in NC as a charter mate. Given this experience, I replaced all the flushmount rod holders in our boat with cast stainless CE Smiths because they have a 1/2" gimbal bar cast into the rodholder (Bought closeouts, I don't like to pay retail). I can high speed troll or use a planer, downrigger or outrodders from any of the 6 stern rod holders without concern. Anyway, Red has not had problems with outriggers from the T-top in 8-10 years so maybe it will work for your customer.

BTW, your outriggers look great. Are there stops to keep from over extending the telescoping sections? How tight are the telescoping sections when they are retracted? I hate the little push buttons on our outriggers and the clatter of the aluminum when we hit waves. I think clamps like you use would be superior. The eyes on the clamps look bent on the rigger in the right side of your pic. Is that on purpose? e.g maybe as a handle to loosen and tighten the clamp?

I don't trust the little gimbal pins in most production rod holders. I have had gimbal pins and rod holder tubes fail under load when I was working in NC as a charter mate.

Have you ever broke a 1/4" SS rod holder pin with an outrigger clip?

at 12 ft long or maybe 13 at the longest. The original guy wanted 15 ft but 12 ft is a lot cheaper with out the extra clamp and piece.Which means No bend piece. So I am thinking 275 each.
http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/bligh1/Carbon%20Fiber%20Rod%20Holders/P1010004-11.jpg

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/bligh1/Carbon%20Fiber%20Rod%20Holders/P1010013-6.jpg
only one set of welded stainless eyes on each clamp also. I want feed back good and bad.

Is that my center rigger?! :grin:

Have you ever had the fishing line wrap the release clip?

Neither have I, but it could happen.

Have you ever had the fishing line wrap the release clip?


Neither have I, but it could happen.

That's why I stiff rig my clips ... check my picture.

I've used a pair of 12' for years ... they work great.


http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/1770/hpim0963qc3.jpg

What is that at the end? Pulley?

What is that at the end? Pulley?

http://imageshack.us/a/img401/5060/orpb.jpg

Hi Bly, I think loading a tiny aluminum gimbal pin in a T-top rod holder with a rigged 12' outrigger pulling a lure or bait is more of a concern than the load of a retracted outrigger on an outrigger mount running at high speed. You call it clutter, I call it using the right tool for a job (BTW Red, I paid $300 for the mounts, not $600). I don't trust the little gimbal pins in most production rod holders. I have had gimbal pins and rod holder tubes fail under load when I was working in NC as a charter mate. Given this experience, I replaced all the flushmount rod holders in our boat with cast stainless CE Smiths because they have a 1/2" gimbal bar cast into the rodholder (Bought closeouts, I don't like to pay retail). I can high speed troll or use a planer, downrigger or outrodders from any of the 6 stern rod holders without concern. Anyway, Red has not had problems with outriggers from the T-top in 8-10 years so maybe it will work for your customer.

BTW, your outriggers look great. Are there stops to keep from over extending the telescoping sections? How tight are the telescoping sections when they are retracted? I hate the little push buttons on our outriggers and the clatter of the aluminum when we hit waves. I think clamps like you use would be superior. The eyes on the clamps look bent on the rigger in the right side of your pic. Is that on purpose? e.g maybe as a handle to loosen and tighten the clamp?
from coming all the way out. That raised area is also pigmented red. Very tricky huh? The little push buttons are not used. The cam clamp I use grab the Tube at any length or position. That means No Clatter. Yes The Welded stainless Eyes are bent by me to a specific bend. Except for the end one that is left straight and ends up lined up with all the bent ones that are through bolted into the graphite Cam clamp. the stainless eyes are not used as a handle or anything to do with Loosening the cam clamp. It is the Flat area on the round cam clamp that you use to release the tension and then snap tight when done. It is also maintenance adjustable with a wrench That I provide with the riggers. I Have always been an off shore fisherman and I am trying to learn about some other areas and types of fishing that Most like me were unaware of. I did not learn about how serious these guys were with southern kingfish tournaments until recently. These guys just don't want what we thought was a standard normal T top outrigger mount up there. The guy I started this thread to get some answers about has a brand New big trip 300 yamaha on a stepped contender CC. No Outrigger mounts and does not want to put them up there. Since I started this thread what 2 days ago. I have 6 kingfish out riggers to build. I only got enough material to do 10 center riggers and more then half gone already. I guess I have to order more tube. Timing is not easy with factories not keeping much inventory It can be a problem getting a lot of carbon tube also. The military comes first concerning carbon fiber.
and then the rest of us.
The flat lever part is a released cam clamp. The red is the raised area that stops the rigger from sliding all the way out. I adapted this one to be used as a portable center rigger with a removable 30 degree bent butt. For Center consoles.
http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/bligh1/Carbon%20Fiber%20Rod%20Holders/P1010005-12.jpg

Bly sent you a pm. Thanks.

Hi Bly, I appreciate you answering my questions. I have not had the opportunity to get a close look at CF outriggers, just reading about them on here. It's obvious you have put alot of thought into the design of your telescoping outriggers and center rigger. Your designs address the shortcomings I have observed with using aluminum telescoping outriggers the last few years. While it won't be soon (due to other financial priorities), I may be a future customer.

Thanks, Kurtis

Not to hijack the thread but......Bly...would a 12' rigger you are describing work in a standard rod holder on the aft end of a T-top? I have 4 rodholders at 15° and short temp riggers in the two outboard rodholders might be just what I need.

Not to hijack the thread but......Bly...would a 12' rigger you are describing work in a standard rod holder on the aft end of a T-top? I have 4 rodholders at 15° and short temp riggers in the two outboard rodholders might be just what I need.

That's what they are talking about... I think anyway.

Here is a picture of one. 12 ft long extended, 5 ft retracted and very very light and portable.

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/bligh1/Carbon%20Fiber%20Rod%20Holders/P1010017-5.jpg

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/bligh1/Carbon%20Fiber%20Rod%20Holders/P1010018-3.jpg

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/bligh1/Carbon%20Fiber%20Rod%20Holders/P1010019-2.jpg

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/bligh1/Carbon%20Fiber%20Rod%20Holders/P1010020-1.jpg

How much this could be just what im looking for. i only have the need for out rigers a couple times a year so this would work perf.

How much this could be just what im looking for. i only have the need for out rigers a couple times a year so this would work perf.

I sell the 12 ft kingfish outriggers for 275 each and they also work perfect in yellow fins as a center rigger.

Thanks i'll be in touch when i'm ready.

at the new owners request for just in case? Because of shallow angle of king fish rod holders
He can either clip a safety line there or a bungee
Notice the small tab about 18 inches up from base.
http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee496/bligh1/Carbon%20Fiber%20Rod%20Holders/P1010001-15.jpg

Awesome Bly, I look forward to receiving these! The safety tabs look good!

Awesome Bly, I look forward to receiving these! The safety tabs look good!

You should have them today. I know I planned it that way. If fedex does their job? Post pictures when you rig them on the boat.

Bly, did you get my payment for the outriggers? I know our email don't always go through...

Nevermind, got your email.

You should have them today. I know I planned it that way. If fedex does their job? Post pictures when you rig them on the boat.

2ND THAT:thumbsup:

Even though I posted a new thread, for completeness sake, and in response to Bly and BWFLU's request, I am posting Photos on this thread.

Bly makes a great and fairly priced product. I highly recommend anyone who does not want to drill or spend thousands on outrigger bases to consider these retractable carbon fiber outrigges for the Kingfish rodholders.

241051

241052

241053

Thanks kendall thats what i wanted to see. Now i gotta save up some $ and order a set. That will work out well for me.