Demystifying Trolling With Outriggers: How Does It Work?

Trolling with outriggers is a skill that many anglers strive to master. So, how does trolling with outriggers work? It involves strategically positioning additional lines away from the boat, increasing the chances of a successful catch. By deploying outriggers, which are extended poles fitted to the sides of the boat, you can keep your lines spread out and prevent tangles. This enables you to cover more water and attract a wider variety of fish species. With the right techniques and equipment, trolling with outriggers can greatly enhance your fishing experience. Let’s delve deeper into the intricacies and benefits of this method.

How does trolling with outriggers work?

Fishing enthusiasts are always on the lookout for new and efficient ways to improve their catch. One such method that has gained popularity is trolling with outriggers. Outriggers are an essential tool to enhance the effectiveness of trolling by extending the spread of fishing lines and keeping them at a distance from the boat. In this article, we will delve into the details of how trolling with outriggers works and how it can significantly improve your fishing experience.

Section 1: Understanding outriggers

Before we explore the intricacies of trolling with outriggers, let’s begin with a basic understanding of what outriggers are. Outriggers are horizontal poles that extend out from a fishing boat, typically on either side. These poles are mounted using sturdy brackets, and their primary purpose is to provide stability and extension for fishing lines.

The benefits of outriggers:

• Increased spread: Outriggers enable fishermen to spread their lines out wider, covering a larger area of water. This increases the chances of attracting fish to the bait.
• Reduced tangles: With outriggers, the fishing lines are kept at a distance from the boat, reducing the chances of tangling or crossing lines.
• Enhanced lure action: By positioning the lines further away from the boat, outriggers allow the lures to move more freely, imitating natural bait movement and increasing the chances of attracting fish.
• Improved visibility: Outriggers keep lines away from the boat’s wake, making them more visible to fish and increasing the likelihood of a strike.

Section 2: Setting up your outriggers

Now that we understand the benefits of outriggers, let’s dive into the process of setting them up for trolling.

Choosing the right outriggers:

Before you begin, it’s essential to choose the right outriggers for your fishing needs. Outriggers come in various sizes and materials, such as aluminum or carbon fiber. Consider factors like boat size, fishing location, and budget when selecting your outriggers.

Mounting the outriggers:

Mounting the outriggers requires careful installation to ensure stability and durability. Follow these steps to set up your outriggers:

1. Locate the ideal spot for mounting the outriggers on your boat. This is typically on the T-top or upper hull sides.
2. Secure the brackets or mounting bases to the chosen location using stainless steel bolts and screws.
3. Attach the outrigger poles to the brackets or mounting bases, ensuring they are firmly connected.
4. Use adjustable clips or pulleys to secure the fishing lines to the outrigger poles.

Adjusting the outriggers:

Proper adjustment of the outriggers is crucial for effective trolling. Here are some important considerations:

• Outrigger length: Extend the outriggers to an appropriate length, ensuring they are balanced and parallel to the water surface.
• Line positioning: Position the fishing lines at a desired angle, spreading them out evenly for maximum coverage.
• Line tension: Adjust the line tension to prevent sagging, allowing the lures to move freely.

Section 3: Trolling techniques with outriggers

Now that your outriggers are set up and adjusted, let’s delve into the different trolling techniques that can be employed.

1. High-speed trolling:

• High-speed trolling involves moving the boat at a faster pace, typically between 6 and 10 knots, to cover a larger area and target fast-swimming fish species.
• Use lighter lures or baits to reduce drag and maintain a consistent speed.
• Ensure your outrigger lines are positioned wider apart to cover more ground.

2. Slow trolling:

• Slow trolling is ideal for targeting species that prefer a more leisurely pace, such as billfish or tuna.
• Suspend baits at a specific depth or use downriggers in conjunction with outriggers for controlled depth fishing.
• Position outrigger lines at a narrower spread to focus on a specific area.

3. Spreader bars and daisy chains:

• Attach spreader bars or daisy chains to your outrigger lines. These setups imitate a school of baitfish and can attract larger predatory fish.
• Vary the colors and sizes of the lures within the spreader bars to simulate a more realistic baitfish presentation.

4. Teaser and dredge fishing:

• Use teaser baits or dredges in front of your outrigger lines to create additional attraction and entice fish to strike.
• Teasers can be artificial lures or daisy chains of natural bait, while dredges typically consist of multiple artificial squids or fish.

5. Using planers and downriggers:

• Planers and downriggers are additional tools that can be employed in conjunction with outriggers to further enhance trolling effectiveness.
• Planers drag lines away from the boat, allowing you to target specific depths.
• Downriggers provide controlled depth fishing by submerging baits at desired depths.

Section 4: Safety considerations

While trolling with outriggers can significantly improve your fishing experience, it’s important to prioritize safety. Here are a few safety considerations to keep in mind:

• Secure outrigger poles and lines properly to avoid any potential accidents or injuries.
• Be cautious when adjusting or handling outrigger lines to prevent entanglement.
• Always abide by boating regulations and maintain a safe distance from other vessels.
• Monitor weather conditions and avoid trolling with outriggers during rough seas or storms.
• Carry essential safety equipment, such as life jackets, flares, and a first aid kit.

Section 5: Conclusion

In conclusion, trolling with outriggers is an effective technique for increasing fishing success. By extending the spread of fishing lines, outriggers provide numerous advantages, including a wider coverage area, reduced tangles, enhanced lure action, and improved visibility. Setting up and adjusting outriggers properly is essential for optimal performance. By employing different trolling techniques, such as high-speed trolling, slow trolling, spreader bars, and teasers, anglers can target a variety of fish species. However, it is vital to prioritize safety and adhere to boating regulations to ensure an enjoyable and secure fishing experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does trolling with outriggers work?

Trolling with outriggers is a technique used in fishing to extend the spread of lures or baits and increase the chances of catching fish. Outriggers are attached to the sides of a boat and hold the fishing lines away from the vessel. This allows for a wider coverage area and minimizes tangles. By deploying outriggers, anglers can troll multiple lines at different distances and depths, increasing the chances of attracting various fish species. Outriggers help create a more efficient and effective trolling experience, offering greater versatility and a higher potential for success.

What are the benefits of using outriggers for trolling?

Using outriggers while trolling offers several benefits. Firstly, outriggers keep fishing lines away from the boat, reducing the risk of tangles and ensuring a smoother fishing experience. Secondly, by spreading out the lines, outriggers increase the area covered by lures or baits, making it more likely for fish to encounter them. Additionally, outriggers allow for trolling at different depths and distances, enabling anglers to target fish at various depths in the water column. Overall, the use of outriggers enhances the trolling technique by expanding the fishing zone and increasing the chances of a successful catch.

How do outriggers help with trolling multiple lines?

Outriggers enable anglers to troll multiple lines by providing a reliable way to spread them out. The outriggers are attached to the sides of the boat and hold the lines away from the vessel, preventing them from tangling with each other. This setup allows for the deployment of multiple lines at different distances and depths, effectively increasing the chances of attracting fish. By using outriggers, anglers can present a wider range of lures or baits, maximizing their fishing opportunities and potentially catching multiple fish simultaneously.

What types of outriggers are commonly used for trolling?

The two main types of outriggers used for trolling are fixed outriggers and telescopic outriggers. Fixed outriggers are permanently attached to the sides of the boat, providing a stable and reliable setup. They are typically made of durable materials such as aluminum or fiberglass. Telescopic outriggers, on the other hand, can be extended and retracted as needed. This allows for easy storage and adjustment of the outrigger length based on fishing requirements. Both types of outriggers serve the same purpose of extending the spread of fishing lines and are commonly used in trolling.

What factors should be considered when trolling with outriggers?

When trolling with outriggers, several factors need to be considered. Firstly, the distance between the outriggers should be appropriate for the size of the boat and the fishing lines being used. This ensures proper spread and avoids tangling. Secondly, the speed of the boat plays a crucial role in trolling success. Adjusting the speed based on the target species and the desired lure action is important. It is also essential to monitor the lines regularly and adjust their depth or position if needed. By considering these factors, anglers can optimize their trolling experience with outriggers.

Can outriggers be used in different types of fishing environments?

Yes, outriggers can be used in various fishing environments. Whether fishing in freshwater lakes, rivers, or saltwater oceans, outriggers are a valuable tool for trolling. The versatility of outriggers allows anglers to adapt their fishing technique to different environments and target a wide range of fish species. The key is to properly set up the outriggers, adjust the trolling speed, and choose the appropriate lures or baits for the specific fishing location. By doing so, anglers can effectively utilize outriggers regardless of the fishing environment.

Final Thoughts

Trolling with outriggers is a highly effective technique used by anglers to increase their chances of a successful catch. By extending the fishing lines away from the boat using outriggers, fishermen can cover a larger area of water and present multiple baits simultaneously. This method allows for a more efficient and controlled approach to trolling, increasing the likelihood of attracting a variety of fish species. Understanding how to properly set up and deploy outriggers is crucial for optimizing this fishing technique. Whether for sport or commercial purposes, mastering the art of trolling with outriggers can greatly enhance the fishing experience and improve overall success rates.