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Recreation Travel Tips :: Outrigger Fishing
Outrigger Fishing: Turning A Cruising Yacht into an Outrigger and Rodholding Fishing Boat
Did you know that you can convert almost any cruising yacht into an outrigger fishing machine?
To transform any cruising yacht into a fish-catcher, you'll need only a little preparation, a few good-quality rod and reel setups, some inconspicuous fishing accessories, and some luck.
Yacht Requirements
Your ability to fish and enjoy it will be improved if your yacht has a cockpit or a reverse transom and platform. The platform must be rigged with stout rails - above the knees - that are able to take the full weight of a leaning fisherman or gaff-man. The fishing area needs to be open, so avoid the temptation to treat your cockpit as a lazarette when you are under way.
Outfitting and Installing Rodholders
Rodholders are your most vital piece of equipment. Most yachts will accommodate a rodholder fitted at each corner of the cockpit, which should be ample.
You may install the rodholders via a fix mount or a removable mount.
Permanent gunwale rodholders can multi task by providing a strong mount for a boarding handle, shore cord holder, marine BBQ, or other equipment. Removable clamp-on-style rodholders work well if the rail or stanchions can take the load of a striking fish.
This style offers the option of placing the holders anywhere that strikes your fancy or fits your boat's architecture. Be sure when installing permanently mounted rodholders that rain and wash-down water drains properly on deck or overboard and not somewhere below deck.
Outriggers
Serious anglers use outriggers to position the bait outside the boat's wash. Thanks to simple removable outriggers, cruisers can as well. Besides the traditional side of the deckhouse mount, out-of-the-way mounting locations include the gunwale, sun-deck, above the hardtop, or on the sides or top of a radar arch.
Telescoping units store easily and leave behind only a small flush rectangular plate when the poles are stowed.
If outrigger fishing doesn't work on your boat, there is still plenty of good trolling without putrigger fishing, but appropriate tackle is a must.
Evaluate your fishing space to see how much rod clearance is needed for obstructions such as a tender, a swim platform or running gear.
Dragging Lures
Once the gear is set, you have a choice of dragging artificial lures or natural bait. Placement of the lures can vary from 25 to 100 feet behind the boat--most fishermen prefer staggering the bait near the third wave of the boat's wake. Outrigger fishing is a simple way to control that bait placement.
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RecreationTravelTips.com :: Outrigger Fishing