Finally finished the outriggers

[Smithy]

No. 1. Whippy poles = bad for lures. Think the guys up north don't mind a bit of flex to give a bit of action to their baits and they are also fishing dropbacks so it is not as critical. Probably saves the deckies putting the big baits back into the teak pegs all the time for each wave and the build up of water pressure on the heavy lines and leaders. Down here and with lures especially we want a crisp hookset. For lures the Pakulaphiles suggest higher rigger angles. Doing that keeps more of your leader out of the water. Can also keep things like your snap swivels out of the water etc. Keeping your leader out is suppossed to make your lure swim harder (i.e. cycle side to side and cycle as in breathing every 5 seconds or so). A heavy leader or especially and old leader or one that has already had a fish on it and is chaffed takes away from the presentation of the lure. There are some good videos of it on the Pakula Between the Lines CD. Well worth a look for new guys to the game. You will see what I mean when you look at the vid.

[mackmauler]

Rob,
I went through the theory with Brett on the maiden runs, The angle does look a little low in the pics but will just have to go round for a look, Im still of the opinion the lower you can get away with the better but obviously higher than the flat line rods. how stiff is the base, is it keeping the pole from bouncing everywhere?

and as for the stiffness of these poles geez this is starting to drag on Mine are med weight surf rods they could do with a good dose of viagra but they still have caught plenty, read somewhere that the marlin arent even hooked on the first run quiet often, just keep the pressure on as much as possible untill they loosin there grip on the lure, thats a long time between the band first popping!

[magicpudding]

Taglines do work for lures, but they are a fairly big hassle. I couldn't be bothered rigging them on the old boat, and we still managed to catch plenty of fish. The riggers were mounted off the back of the hardtop and were angled back so there wasn't much drop back.
In terms of the sloppy riggers, they are damn annoying. Just wait until you put some time in with them and it will become obvious. The springing action pulls lures and baits out of the water more easily and can make the line tangle around the rigger tips. On that note, it looks like the top eye is at the end of the rigger, make sure you are VERY careful of the line wrapping aroundd the tips.

CJ

[bugman]

Thanks guys,

The poles weren't as flexible as I thought and actually seemed just right - not to high - not too low and not too far back. Smithy you'll have to come for a run to give and expert opinion

I guess proof is in the pudding - have a look at reports.

Actually the sail came from the short corner and both poles only hooked mac tuna.

Bugman

[lenm]

On that note, it looks like the top eye is at the end of the rigger, make sure you are VERY careful of the line wrapping aroundd the tips.

CJ
Just wondering if pulling in the release clip back from the tip 20cm or so (ie not fully extended) while trolling is suffice to prevent wrap??
I tried fitting some spears/extentions to the tip of my poles to prevent wrap but the extra weight at the end of the pole makes them more sloppy so was going to get rid of them.
Haven't tried them on the water yet.

[jeffo]

have used em with and with out tag lines.... like em more with out them, less hassle. like ya said brett, proof is in the pudding, you caught the only sail out there yesterday, bastard!! lol.

[magicpudding]

One way of preventing tip wrap is to keep the lips a bit away from the end. However, in the long run it is worth moving the top eye down the pole a bit if you don't want spears. The reelax spears are machined aluminium and weigh next to nothing, are these the ones you tried? They also add a bit of class to the riggers