Lee's vs. Tigress Outriggers - The Hull Truth

Sailor · 07-17-2007, 10:37 PM

I'm looking at a new set of outriggers since my buddy broke one fishing last week and I have narrowed it down to either a set of Lee's or Tigress. These will be gunnell mount and 15' 1 1/8" outriggers. I'm not spending the money to move them to the t-top and I don't want to get a larger diameter since I only use them 10 times a year. I would like to know if anyone has any experience/opinions one way or the other. The ones I am replacing are the cheapest Tigress outriggers, but I was able to put my hands on a set of the Tigress ones below and they are *much* more stout then the ones I had. I've fished with Lee's outriggers, but the 18' ones, and they certainly were good quality and the price is much nicer.

Here's the Lees for $135:

http://www.tackletogo.com/lees15apoutp.html

And here's the Tigress for $279 (found them local for $230)

http://www.fishkatcher-ind.com/Tigress%20outriggers.htm

barrell · 07-17-2007, 11:01 PM

I have the tigrees and used them for the first time last week. I was worried that they would bounce around real bad because of reports I read on the taco 1 1/8 inch. But in 2 to 3 foot chop they were suprisingly stiff with no problems.

Sailor · 07-17-2007, 11:43 PM

barrell - do you have the ones with four eyes or two eyes? The orginial ones I had only had two eyes for the rigger lines and they were quite flimsy.

offshore3144 · 07-18-2007, 12:22 AM

Get the Lees I have had two sets and we beat the He!! out of both sets and never had and problems over a 10 year period. If you can swing the 16 ft xtra stiff that would be my top choice for the gunnel mounts. We always ran with ours straight up...Good luck Mark

redneck7 · 07-18-2007, 12:42 AM

You say you wouldn't spring for the t-top mounted, but in my opinion, depending on your particular boat, it's usually easier to fish the gunwale mounted riggers anyway. T-top/hard top mounts just look so damned cool it's hard not to want em.

Sailor · 07-18-2007, 04:24 PM

Quote:

redneck7 - 7/17/2007 11:42 PM

You say you wouldn't spring for the t-top mounted, but in my opinion, depending on your particular boat, it's usually easier to fish the gunwale mounted riggers anyway. T-top/hard top mounts just look so damned cool it's hard not to want em.

I agree they look cool, but the price of the t-top rod holders and the fabrications to my existing t-top are not worth the cost based on how much I actually get to fish these days.

Bullshipper · 07-18-2007, 05:23 PM

I personally do not think that a 1 1/8 pole will stand up offshore on a small boat, and I even collapse my 1 1/2" tacos when the going gets rough an I even had a new set Lee 1 1/2 x 15' and sent them back..

Its not so much how many times you fish- It just takes one boat slam to do them in.

markm · 07-18-2007, 09:37 PM

I currently have set of telescoping tigress poles and they do not stay up when running in any kind of sea. The springs and buttons that keep the pole extended are not that strong and this allows them to collapse easily. One of the rings has stripped and is currently held with a zip tie. I can not give them a good recommendation. The poles are 1 1/8 and 15' long. This set of poles replaced an 18 ft set of lees that I was very pleased with but they kept getting bent by the marina fork lifts and they had a hard time fitting into the slip inside where my boat is. I never had problems with the lees.
Hope some of this helps with your decision.
Mark

MattH · 07-19-2007, 11:43 AM

I'd also stay away from the Tigress release clips they sell as imitation Black's release clips. My first trip offshore with them both of the little screws that hold the tension adjustment dial on fell off. I called Blacks about it and they said they'd replace them, but check and make sure there not Tigress first. Sure enough, their Tigress. They said 999 out of 1000 compalints they get end up being these cheap knock offs.

hatt trick · 07-19-2007, 11:59 AM

I would definately go with the Lee's. Much better quality.

eggsuckindog · 06-06-2011, 05:41 PM

I have the 1 1/8 too and never had a problem - UNTIL the GF's son cleaned the garage and have 1 bent and kinked and another screwin is egg shaped

I don't think they even make 1 1/8 anymore all I see are 1 1/4 - I need two sections - section 2 from the base - eggsuckindog@hotmail.com

nevermind just saw the date