Tuna Rigging.

[Gundog]

Does anyone have a picture of the boat rigging you use for tuna? Like outriggers or hand lines that type of stuff. I am not talking about terminal tackle for now anyway but you can include that if you have some pics.
Mike

[Ride Red]

Check out "Pilar's topics that have been made permanent" at the top of this page.

Steve

[Gundog]

Thanks those topics cover the tackle which I will need to know later, but for now I am going to be rigging my new boat and I would like to see some pictures of stuff for the boat like outriggers or where you are connecting hand lines and all the other stuff I just don't know about because I have never been out for tuna. I also don't know how the outriggers work and I wan't to build my own so I need to know how they work.
Mike

[wthr4d]

I dont have any pictures that would show what you need to know but I can start an answer for you.

First off, every boat has it own configuration for tuna. You put things where they work best for yur boat, so no two boats are really the same.

every time I have seen handlines used they were attached to a fast point at the stern. this was usually a cleate at the corner and one closer to the midline on each side.

I have never seen out riggers used, but as I understand it they work on a similar principal to the downrigger...A long pole that reaches outward, away from the boat and parrallel to the water. thus expanding the breadth of you tackle spread without making the boat any bigger. At the end of the outrigger is a fastener or clip that releases on the strike. I would also say that I have always seen them placed somewhere midship on the gunwhale.

hope this helps you some...those that actually have boats and experience should be able to fill in the blanks for you.

Paul

[Reelentless]

Shoot me an email or post your email address. I will send you some pictures of our outriggers. We also constructed a bar out of stainless that spans the stern and mounts to our downrigger bases. We tie our handlines to that. You can also tie the handlines to your cleats.

As mentioned, outriggers are kind of like downriggers. But instead of bringing your line down, they pull it out, and away from the boat. This allows you to run more lines without getting tangled. More lines = a bigger presentation = potentially more fish. They also get your lures out of the boat/prop wash and into "cleaner" water.

We caught about 80% of our fish last year on the outriggers.

My email address is: toddwollman@msn.com

[Gundog]

I have added my e-mail to my display if you look up my screen name I did not know it wasn't there.
Mike

[KeyWest]

Here's a good place to start getting information:

http://www.saltwatersportsman.com/sa...213859,00.html

and

http://www.saltwatersportsman.com/sa...644080,00.html

and

http://www.saltwatersportsman.com/sa...346279,00.html

and

http://www.saltwatersportsman.com/sa...346260,00.html

I use these Hal-Lock devices - they work very well and can be purchased for 1,2 or 3 halyards:

http://www.saltwatersportsman.com/sa...256888,00.html

and probably the best of the bunch (Titled - Outrigger rigging 101):

http://www.saltwatersportsman.com/sa...480061,00.html

The entire web site is searchable for stuff like this....

If you want help actually setting up - let me know. It always more fun to spend someone elses money

[tracker]

It is not necesarry to have handlines! That in my oppinion is not as fun as rod and reel. It will allow you to bring them in quicker and I suppose that is fun but I look at it like using an electric reel to bring in fish. Whats the challenge? No one will ever tell you stories about the big one they brought to the boat on a hand line but even a small one will give you a workout and lasting memories. Forgo the handlines and spool up the rods and enjoy the exercise!

[Reelentless]

Mike,

I emailed you some pictures. I will get some better ones next weekend. Mid-april the boat will be moored at E-59 in South Beach. Feel free to stop by anytime.

Todd

[Gundog]

Relentless thanks for the pics.

Key West those are some great links.

I was looking up outriggers on ebay so I could see how they are built and found some fiberglass extension type 15' very reasonably priced. Like about $120 a set with the bases and all. I can't build them for that price are those type any good? If you want PM me and I will send you a link I don't think they like us to post ebay links.
Mike

[KeyWest]

The glass ones have a lot of whip to them. Makes it even more important to have the locking mechanisms (Hal-Locks) on the halyards. The release clips need to be set pretty lightly. I recently gave a set I had away to a fishing buddy - getting him geared up for Tuna. I upgraded to the Taco telescoping outriggers. They are pretty heavy, however, and I run a support line from the tip of the outriggers back to the T-Top. There are lots of options out there - aluminum (light), glass (as you've found), and heavier options. I have gunnal mounts (slip into the rod holders).

[backlash442]

Is there a particuliar reason you want to use outriggers? Normally tuna are attracted to the boat and the white water it creates from your wake (they're not the sharpest tool in the shed). It appears to them to be a large bait ball. Your lures are supposed to look like a straggler out away from the ball. Outriggers are designed to put your lure in clean water. Always thought they were used more for marlin although guys do use them for tuna. Not worth the hassle imo on a small boat either. Use outrodders instead and can troll 5 rods if you want. Two on outrodders, two in the corners and one straight down the middle. I also wouldn't use handlines unless you are going after meat. Since this is your first season tuna fishing I'd see how it goes w/out the outriggers first and see how much catching you do.

[Reelentless]

Fiberglass isn't stiff enough. They whip around too much.

Outriggers are spendy. Plan on spending at least a grand unless you can make them cheaper.

I want to make a point though. You don't need them to catch Tuna. They help, but they aren't required by a long shot.

[Gundog]

I think you are right I guess I had a miss conception and thought the outriggers were kind of standard for tuna fishing I will just wait and see what I need for hardware. I am going to be making some rocket launcher type rod holders for my radar arch and figured I might try making some outriggers too but when I saw them for $120 I thought what the heck. It sounds like I might not use them anyway I am really not out for the meat I don't eat that much tuna and I am not sure how many times I will get out. I just know when I looked in some fishing catalogs I have they were very expensive and thought I could probably make them much cheaper.
Thanks for all of the good advice.

[KeyWest]

Lots of good points on here - thanks! I use outriggers to be able to fish more rods. Also, I do get most of my fish on the outriggers (easily 4 to 1). I fish 2 rods per outrigger (total of 4 on the outriggers then), 2 on the corners (I use trolling weights to get below the prop wash - typically use Rapallas here), one short down the middle on top of the water - just past the white prop wash, one LONG down the middle off the T-Top. So a total of 8 rods. I also use the outriggers to run teasers - the inside eye has the teaser, the rods are on the outside eyes. When we get a fish on the teasers are reeled up to the eyes which gets them out of the water.

The Taco outriggers I have cost $250. Another $100 by the time they are rigged.

I know its lots of gear in the water, but we seem to do OK. I tend to look at what the commercial guys do as they have a much bigger incentive to catch fish than I. I haven't seen many without outriggers.

[Onokai]

I'm with Dean on the outtriggers- mine out fish the boat rods most of the time as well. Our Dorado off Eureka this past July was on one of the outriggers. I as well am not a handline guy. This is a personal thing. I just like reeling in tuna on a rod. We catch plenty that way. The handlines will get you more meat. If you need to feed the whole village use handlines. I last year on slow days used fish attractors which are bugeed hand lines with 4 lures with no hooks . They did bring fish into the rod spread-when fishing was slow.. On wide open days we just cast into the frey with fishtraps or bait. There is NOTHING like letting a live bait swim free and seeing a 30# tuna hit it as your reel explodes 15 feet in front of you. Man only 3 months left- I can make it- I can make it -I think I can. Mark

[Mark Mc]

On Marty's boat there have been days when the outriggers get bit way more than the other lines. Also, in the fall when the tuna start acting funny (like clownfish), the outriggers allow you to do some "trick" stuff.

[Silver Eagle]

Gundog, I'm like you bought a new boat, bought the 120.00 outriggers didn't get them on right away, couldn't bring myself to drill the holes, went tuna fishing last year, boated 75+ with out them, wife said anymore and I wouldn't need a boat where she was going to stuff me. So guess I have a pair when I go Marlin fishing. I can run 8 lines off the back, five poles and three hand lines, I like the hand lines for the Kids, but I do have a quick story about hand lines, someone said you never get a good story about them, if you have a nine foot shark after your tuna and it get close to the boat and your trying to horse it in, you can have a good story............Trust me on that........Ray

[whaleraddict]

WOW! Lots of good info. I am planning to upgrade my boat over the next couple of years and one of the requirements will be outriggers (or I will add them). Although as many here have mentioned, you will catch plenty of tuna with out them. I can't wait to see all 8 of Deans poles go off at once . Lets hope I have a video camera ready when that happens. Dean, you planning on hitting the Halibut opener? Can't wait to hunt Tuna with you again :smile:.

[Moldy Mike]

Key West,
Thanks for the links I have been thinking about adding ORiggers to the KINGON! After the offshore life raft, fuel bladder, handrails new paint and Epirb I need to throw some more$$$$$$$$$$$$$ into the old "hole in the ocean" Thanks!!! Fish ON!!!! Moldy Opps!! I forgot the new combo tackle chest and bait cutting station! Opps x 2 I forgot the TRI also!!!!!!!!! Is there no end to this?????????????

[KeyWest]

Well, you know the saying "you can't take it with you" - unless your a tuna fisherman and don't come back

[Moldy Mike]

Yes but you CAN take it on the boat!!!!!!!!!! That way the kids and x wives won't have to fight over the $$$$$$$$ Thanks again for the links! Fish ON!!! Moldy