Common Mistakes When Installing Outriggers On A Small Fishing Vessel
When you like to spend time fishing the open water, you want to take as much advantage of the fishing time as possible. Sometimes, just the basic flat lines on poles used on deck are not enough, especially if you fish alone or you are fishing for commercial purposes. Outriggers give you the opportunity to use as much of the fishing space available from your boat as possible. These long poles affix to your boat and swing out as long arms that can be fitted with multiple lines.
Unfortunately, improperly installing outrigger poles on your small fishing boat can be a huge problem. Here is a look at some of the most common mistakes fisherman make when installing outriggers on their small fishing vessel.
Mistake: Compromising adjustability by not installing the outrigger bases correctly.
Why? Outrigger poles usually come with bases that swivel and turn in different angles so you can fully adjust the poles to reach in variant directions. However, if you don't take the time to install the bases for your outriggers on a level surface and tighten them appropriately, you compromise the outrigger's range of motion. Make sure you follow the manufacturer's installation directions to the letter and use the right tools for the job to avoid problems with adjustability later.
Mistake: Installing outriggers unevenly on the boat.
Why? Outriggers are quite long compared to most fishing poles, and some are made with hefty materials. For this reason, you can't just install one outrigger pole on your fishing vessel and expect to float evenly. Adding the extra weight to one side can throw off weight distribution on a small fishing vessel, which is definitely not something you want. If you catch a large fish, your weight distribution will be even further compromised. Install outriggers in sets that are evenly positioned to avoid this issue.
Mistake: Not using wedge plates on angled surfaces during installation.
Why? It is crucial for the outrigger to be installed on an even surface, and on some boats, an even surface that is adequate for installation is hard to find. If you have to install the outrigger bases on a sloped surface, invest in small wedge plates at the marine outfitting store that can be used to bring the plate level. If you don't, your outrigger poles will always be in an awkwardly angled position that can cause them stress and even cause them to break.
Contact a company, like Coastal Rigging and Tackle, for more help.
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