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I am looking to add outriggers to my Hydrasport 24 ft walkabout (has a tee top) for tuna fishing in New England this summer. Any suggestions/warnings would be appreciated.
buy the best ones you can afford, get good bases that are easy to use, make sure they can't drag in the water when the Boat rolls, pretty obvious stuff really.
Lee's or if you can add the Taco's that would work as well. I used to have the Lee's and they were easy to break down and store if not in use. Mental note to self, let the unexperianced fisherman know the bases are not rod holders, lost a rod because someone thought the base was a rod holder.
Lee's or if you can add the Taco's that would work as well. I used to have the Lee's and they were easy to break down and store if not in use. Mental note to self, let the unexperianced fisherman know the bases are not rod holders, lost a rod because someone thought the base was a rod holder.
Its even worse when pulling up to the dock with your buddies standing there!
Anybody know anything about these Tigress bolt-on outrigger holders ? Seems they would work out real well on a small boat t-top . The Tigress bolt-on mounts have a 1.5" i/d for the outriggers so I am wondering if you can use Taco or Lee 1.5" o/d outriggers.
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Last edited by pbr streetgang; 03-03-2009 at 05:36 AM.
I've had people on here tell me that Taco poles were compatible with Tigress bases, but on River Maine supply's website they say that they aren't.
That said: I have also heard people say that Tigress poles are junk, but I'm on my 3rd season with mine, and no problems so far.....I do like Taco rigging kits better, though.
I just switched from taco poles and bases to Taco bases with Lee's 16' poles. The taco poles were flexing way too much for me . I've been very satisfied with the Lee's so far. If you have a long ways to run offshore , go with a fixed pole
I went the low cost route. I took two railmount rod holders, put them on the side of the t-top so they angle a little forward. Took 2 9-10' pieces of bamboo rigged them up just like an outrigger pole. Epoxied over the eyes were they were drilled through, used a bungee with a glass ring hooked back to the t-top. Finished the bamboo with coats of marine varnish. Very light weight, easy to handle and can be done for under $100.Work better than any ive had on other boats ive owned that i spent several hundreds of dollars on. Bamboo was used a lot for this at one time.
Being an incredible skinflint, I purchased two flush mount Lee bases and put them in my T top. They are the kind you put drop in poles into. The bases were leftover out of the box BoatersWorld specials. I got a really good price.
Then I bought the Tigress cheapo 15' poles. (The economy type, I guess)
You can deploy the riggers out when fishing, and straight back when running. Problem is, my poles fractured and broke at the base because they couldn't stand the pressure of the up/down whipping action. Metal fatigue done in the cheapie polse. They were only $100 buck, so I purchased another set, and now take them down while running and install them when fishing.
It's really a cheap and crappy way do to things. When this set breaks, I'll get a real set of outriggers.
Thus, I wouldn't recommend the 1 1/8th in tigress economy model unless you rarely fish, and rarely run long pounding trips offshore.
15' poles on your boat won't allow two lines off each pole either. Not a big deal, but you won't get much "spread" on your boat. With a cross wind, sometimes my windward "outrigger" line is pretty much directly behind my boat. I suppose this occurs with all riggers, but don't expect a great width on your spread with 15' poles.
I started out cheap because I didn't know how much I'd be using the outriggers. For the record, they are a great tool and could hardly figure trolling without them.
If you want lasting stuff, go with 1 1/2 inch poles and bases from the better mfg'rs. I'm not blasting Tempo, mind you. The stuff I purchased was cheap, and couldn't hold up to "real use." My fault, not there's.
Get a good set of riggers, and don't look back. They are a good fishing tool. Mounting them to your T Top gets them out of your way when fishing but makes them a little harder to deploy in rocking seas.
Everything you will do on a 24' boat is some kind of compromise.
Any mounting bracket built into the t-top? If so that may decide the brand for you. If you plan on pulling big bars then a cheap set will break. Lee's and Rupp are top notch. I would go with rupp mostly because if something ever breaks and you need parts, they will have it shipped to you quick. Great service. Longer, stronger poles are only a few more bucks. I would go with 18s for the extra dough
Anybody know anything about these Tigress bolt-on outrigger holders ? Seems they would work out real well on a small boat t-top . The Tigress bolt-on mounts have a 1.5" i/d for the outriggers so I am wondering if you can use Taco or Lee 1.5" o/d outriggers.
This sure seems like a heck of a lot of stress to be putting on that part of a T-Top. With a real set of mounts, they will be mounted to a plate that is welded on to the structure of the top.
Just my 0.02, but I don't think I would go this route.
I am very partial to Lee's Sidewinders. Cost a bit more but can be welded into T-top or Hardtop structure, Easy to get up and down. I had them on a Grady 30 (now owned by Afishanado) and on my current boat.
Out Riggers for small boats 
