Mounting a 4th Downrigger?

[pescador]

I've got 3 Scotty riggers now mounted in the boat. The boat is 23 ft long with kicker positioned on the port side. Main hangs off a pod a few feet off stern. The existing three are mounted as such; #1 port side gunnel 6 ft from stern #2 starboard side gunnel 6 ft from stern and # 3 starboard side corner at stern. I am thinking about mounting #4 on the port side corner at stern. My concern is to date I have never had any issues with lines getting into the kicker pop. While I do fish with 4 guys aboard from time to time and it’s nice to assign each to one rigger, I am concerned about lines getting in to the kicker. I run a prop guard but am sure that won't stop the risk. Anyone out there running 4 riggers? What size is you boat and what learning’s have you share? What model Scotty do you run? How do you extend out booms? How did you deal with your kicker given most are offset to one side at stern. Right now with 3 it works perfect, but there are some advantages to having 4 riggers....

 

[Cuba Libre]

Sorry-- but why dont you just get a commercial license????? Fishing is supposed to be "sport"---- or at least it used to be... Yes I know you probably dont appreciate my criticism... But FOUR riggers off a 23 ft boat?????? Really?

 

[tykkyt e blue]

YES - Really ! Go for it ! If you like, send me a pm w your contact info ( perhaps not everyone here is interested )
It is pretty easy to make longer downrigger arms w basic hand tools and some standard SS tubing... then when you decide to chase tuna...you are set w outriggers to boot!

 

[profisher]

There are no advantages to fishing 4 downriggers when fishing Chinook salmon. To much gear to deal with especially once you hook into a fish and have to clear the rest. There is a lot of truth in fishing less gear that is working properly all the time that fishing more gear that is working some of the time.

 

[fishinforever]

You have that boat dialed in TB, Wow.

 

[profisher]

Another truth.... I catch way less Chinook during the time that I'm rigging gear and not able to concentrate on keeping the boat on my desired tack. The shorter the time to rig and get back to 100% helm control and back on coarse the quicker the hook ups happen.

 

[albernifisher]

I love my 3 riggers, If I had another it would be on my boat too. Great for finding what's working, depths,etc

 

[jeffywestcoast]

I concur , the 3rd downrigger is awesome , stacking can be a pain with two and four just seems like your trying to hard.. Cant imagine running 4 deeplines although i can see the Tuna advantage in spacing rods


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[profisher]

I run 3 riggers all the time summer for Chinook and up to 5 lines off those when fishing sockeye or coho....but never more than 3 for summer Chinook. I'll run the extra lines for sockeye and coho to get multiple hooks ups which increases the fun level for customers. Chinook are fun to catch even if only one or two at a time.

 

[wildthing]

was thinking along the lines of TB but then if i run a set of outriggers that would have me up to 5 riggers
which would be to much 3 is enough ....lol
but i do have the extra mounts already in place....

 

[pescador]

Thanks for your replies guys. TB I can see your configuration and its similar to what I have minus one DR right now. I've got to get the port rear rigger further out away from the kicker. I think the 60" telescopic Scotty will do the trick. Appreciate all the help...

 

[tykkyt e blue]

There are no advantages to fishing 4 downriggers when fishing Chinook salmon. To much gear to deal with especially once you hook into a fish and have to clear the rest. There is a lot of truth in fishing less gear that is working properly all the time that fishing more gear that is working some of the time.

Umm... I don't intend to start a disagreement w you...my experience has been;

1- Sometimes the longer arms work better than the std length riggers - the roll of the boat makes the lure/bait swim up and down + - 10 to 12' not just at the same depth - also the roll causes the speed to fluctuate more.
2- I found the Chinook hold at 35-40' along the shore at Port Renfrew so 4 riggers put all baits at that same depth instead of stacking two riggers
and
3 - unless you always have experienced people on board - I got tired of being 'the guide' when stacking lines - so one line per rigger lets 4 guys each run his own rod his own way/depth etc

You are right that it can be a lot of gear to run - its purely a personal choice based on temperament and energy level - if you feel like working your gear, it can be more productive

 

[pescador]

Point #3........ thats exactly the reason I want a fourth rigger. I don't favour stacking lines either when you have several people on the boat. Thanks again TB.....Nice boat btw....

 

[Filletandrelease]

Point #3........ thats exactly the reason I want a fourth rigger. I don't favour stacking lines either when you have several people on the boat. Thanks again TB.....Nice boat btw....

Think I'm gonna go with 5 down riggers. And 10 rods. I'd hate the thought that a fish could actually get past me .

 

[eaglemaniac]

I feel that the only good reason to have a fourth rigger is to replace the one that crapped out when the bite was on. eman

 

[pescador]

OK, wasn't going to respond to the negative but geez, what is up with you guys? Not sure what the difference is. Four riggers one rod each=4 lines in the water. Two riggers two lines stacked is the same. Most people on the site stack, I don't like stacking so I'm looking for another solution when I've got 4 people aboard which happens a hand full of days each year.

 

[albernifisher]

No negativity here, if you can fit 4 riggers go ahead and do it. I run 3 and would love another on my boat, good for fishing structure when its not deep enough to stack the riggers. For sockeye and chum, I'll run up to 8 rods if I have a good crew

 

[Filletandrelease]

OK, wasn't going to respond to the negative but geez, what is up with you guys? Not sure what the difference is. Four riggers one rod each=4 lines in the water. Two riggers two lines stacked is the same. Most people on the site stack, I don't like stacking so I'm looking for another solution when I've got 4 people aboard which happens a hand full of days each year.

Wasn't trying to be negative friend. It just seems so much easier to stack instead of babysitting 60 lbs of lead dancing around under the boat. But then again I managed to snag a single ball by myself this morning

 

[fishin_magician]

You will be fine mounting that rigger where you want. Just keep things symmetrical.

My guide boat with 4 riggers was great. When the bite is on, when it comes to pulling as many fish as possible for your guests, it's fantastic.

You'll get the hang of it. I used to run 20 pound balls on the outside. I was notorious for having 6 rods out all the time and sometimes 8. My guide ship was a 38' though.


There are BIG advantages to putting gear back down without removing other gear.

Let the naysayers be naysayers, ignore them and get your 4th rigger.

I know a couple of guides with 23' Gradys running 4 riggers and they love it.

 

[profisher]

Many of my customers would move on to another guide if I didn't clear the gear, kick the boat out of gear and let them enjoy playing the fish..not the boat. The argument of 1 rigger per person is not relevant. Are you going to tell a client or buddy that this is your rod/rigger and if it happens to touch nothing all day....(which happens all the time...one rod is hot) that person goes home without touching a rod? On my boat it is all about turns and when you are up it doesn't matter which of the 3 riggers goes off.