rigging fiberglass outriggers

[Lil John]

I posed a question some months back on the best outriggers for my Whaler 170 Montauk and got plenty of good replies and advice. I ended up going with a set of Kilwell (A New Zealand brand) 12' fiberglass units that can be run right from my existing rail-mount rod holders. This is my first set of "real" outriggers as what I used in the past was a cheap pair of 8' aluminum poles - basically flatline booms used as outriggers. These cheap units had two 10' lengths of 550 cord and were bungied off up forward and back aft to provide stability to the poles.

On to my question with these new units....how do I secure the line on them to make them "stiff" while trolling? Asked a different way, when I am trolling, should the riggers be slightly bowed forward, aft, or up? I'm totally new to using real outriggers - thanks.

[Jonb]

Slightly up and aft

[Lil John]

Thanks for the input...is there more than one correct way to do this? The reason I ask is "up and aft" won't work from my small center console. I have no
T-top and otherwise nothing up high from which I can tension the riggers. Unless I am missing something. I believe my only option is to tension them from either the gunnels or console....

[lawaia]

Lil John - Had a similar sounding setup on my old Katama. Agree with the up and (slightly) aft alignment. The 'up' part can be achieved by setting your (clamp-on?) rail mount holders at an up angle whether you have them on the vertical or horizontal rails. If you want to set the holders for the 'aft' part, you'll have to put the holders on the vertical rail part.

Recommend you do put the holders on the vertical rail because that way the (clamp-on) holders will better be able to take the torquing from the downward movement of the outriggers. As far as the (slightly) 'aft' alignment, you'll find that the drag of your lures will naturally bend the 'riggers in that direction. To alleviate any rotation of the (clamp-on) holders around the vertical rail in the aft direction (as when a big fish strikes) recommend you have lines running from near the tip of the 'riggers to a forward attachment point (on the Katama this was accomplished by slipping looped ends around the norman pin). Having these lines off the 'rigger tips also gives a crisper release when you get a strike, as opposed to having the 'riggers bend a lot before releasing. This setup is nearly universal here in Hawaii for all fiberglass 'riggers, from those on runabouts to large charter boats.

The only drawback to having the rail mount holders angled out is that you'll have to dismount the 'riggers and lay them on the deck when in-port/alongside the pier. Oh, and you'll have to watch your knees if the holders stick inboard too much. As far as the running line that takes your fishing line up to the 'rigger tip, that can be tied off or tensioned by attaching to the rail (no drilling needed).

If you don't like the idea of having the holders stick inboard or having to mount/dismount the 'riggers, CW member 4Runner has a real nice setup for outriggers on his 170 Montauk; he'll probably be willing to e-mail you pix if you contact him. His setup has been proven on mahi and ono. My old Katama setup took every flag fish here.

Good luck, tight lines.

[Lil John]

Lawaia - thanks for the thorough ideas....I will definitely check it all out and give 4Runner a shout as well. Nothing like 1st hand experience!