What are Outriggers for Fishing Boats?

by David Chavez
February 10, 2022

Outriggers for fishing boats are structures that stick out from the side of a fishing boat which holds fishing rods. When you go fishing, you will need to cast your line and wait for fish to bite. But after a while, your arms can get tired from holding the rod, and because of this, people use outriggers for fishing boats in order to save their energy and maximize their time spent fishing.

You don’t have to move around as much when using an outrigger for your fishing rod because all you have to do is reel in your catch when it bites, instead of bringing it onto the boat yourself.

There are double outriggers and single outriggers. Double outriggers are structures that have two fishing rods attached to them, both on the left and right, while single outriggers only have one rod.

The process of attaching an outrigger to a boat will depend on how heavy it is. If the boat is big enough, you can attach the structure by drilling holes into the top platform of your boat’s edge or stern. For smaller boats, you would need to tie the device down with rope. However, if there isn’t enough room in your boat for an outrigger, you can use buoyancy aids instead.

If you have two people who want to fish off side-by-side boats, then you will need either double outriggers or double buoyancy aids. If only one person wants to fish, then a single outrigger or a single buoyancy aid can be used.

Single outriggers are typically attached in front of the boat, while double outriggers are attached to the back. There are also two different positions where you can place your rod in an outrigger for fishing boats: anglers either mount their rods vertically or horizontally.

How to Use Outriggers for Trolling

Outriggers are mainly used for trolling, a type of fishing that moves smaller baits at a higher speed. People use outriggers for trolling because it increases the chances of catching fish, especially species like tuna and mackerel.

Outriggers allow for more rods to be used, which means you can catch more fish at once. This is why boat owners buy an outrigger: they want their time and effort to pay off with a big catch. Outriggers also keep lures and bait away from other boats, so your lines won’t get tangled up if there’s another boat nearby.

With regards to how far apart the two poles should be on an outrigger for trolling boats, it depends on how deep or shallow the water is where you’re fishing. If you’re fishing in shallow water, the two poles should be closer together. If you’re fishing in deep water, they would need to be farther apart.

Recommended Trolling Speed and Lures

For outriggers, the recommended trolling speed is between 2.4 and 4.5 knots. However, if you have a smaller boat with a light outrigger, then your trolling speed should be closer to 3 knots or less. If you have a larger boat with a heavier outrigger, then your minimum trolling speed would need to be around 5 knots so that the boat will still move easily without tipping over from too much weight on one side of the vessel.

When fishing from an outrigger for fishing boats, anglers typically use baits like squid and sardines because these are the types of fish that surround their lures in real life. A typical lure consists of brightly colored feathers and metal joints at either end which imitate small baitfish.

You can also catch bigger fish on outriggers. For large species like marlin and tuna, anglers usually use 80lb-class tackle because these creatures weigh a lot and can put up a fight against their prey.

Outriggers can also be used to troll lures for trolling speed and depth, but the best way to find out what trolling speed works best with your boat is through trial and error. Every boat has its own weight capacity, so it’s important to make sure you stay within your vessel’s boundaries if you want to avoid any problems during your trip on the water.

Outrigger Parts

Outrigger Mounts and Bases

Outrigger Mounts and bases are a significant component in outrigger repair and maintenance. The type of mount you need all depends on the size of your boat.

A double pole mount can support two traditional fishing poles, while a single pole mount holds only one rod at a time. In addition to this, there are also three different types of mounts when it comes to outriggers for trolling boats: deck-mounted, transom-mounted, and side-mounted.

If you own a small boat with no space on its deck or stern for an outrigger base, then you will want to get either side-mounts or transom-mounts so that they don’t touch anything underneath your vessel’s deck.

On the other hand, people who have larger boats with space on the deck can use either side-mounts or transom-mounts as well as a double mount so they have two poles.

Outrigger Poles

Outrigger Poles are fishing rods designed to be mounted outside the hull of a boat, and they are mainly used to aid in trolling. The two poles can either be connected by an outrigger base or hooked up to opposite sides of the deck with a mount.

They come in single and double pole models, which give anglers more opportunities when it comes to catching different types of fish at once.

Generally speaking, boats under 24 feet should only use one fishing pole because their decks do not have enough space for both an outrigger pole and a traditional rod. Larger vessels that measure over 25 feet usually need both a traditional rod and an outrigger pole so they can catch bigger specimens like black marlin and tuna.

Outrigger Rigging

Outrigger Rigging is what attaches the outrigger mount or base to the boat. It serves as a connector between two poles and your vessel so that it can move easily through water without tipping over.

Some of the most common types of rigging include swivel rigging, wing nuts, saddle links, offset links, studs with wing nuts, bolts with cotter pins, and bolts with snap shackle links. The type you should use depends on your personal preference as well as the type of fishing you’re doing (e.g., trolling).

The right choice is important because it will make sure your rig doesn’t fall during heavy winds or waves. That way you won’t lose any money or catch if things wrong!

Outrigger Rod Holders

Outrigger Rod Holders are designed to hold fishing poles in place. They are usually made of stainless steel or other durable metal, and they come with either a clamp-on design or bolts for permanent installation. These holders allow anglers to fish from their outriggers without worrying about losing their catch.

Side plate rod holders are the most common type you’ll encounter among people who own traditional fishing boats with no outrigger capabilities. Since one side of the boat has less space than the other, only one pole can be used at a time instead of two rods like on larger vessels that have mounted transom mounts and double pole mounts for trolling.

Aside from these, there’s also an alternative called bill plate rod holders which keep your line off the water so it doesn’t affect your boat’s speed.

David Chavez

I love blogging anything and everything related to fishing!. Much of my background comes from Freshwater fishing, but I'm also pretty decent when out in the ocean. My goal is to help other anglers better their skill-sets with proper guides, and just have fun doing so.