wanting to move down riggers in my boat and looking for what people have done

[ericl]

was that the only time you had a issue with rigger placement?

They were at the rear go the boat - it was an event that I did not imagine would happen before it happened - kinda my original point was that things beyond our imagination CAN happen.; I was 35 years younger & a lot dumber back then. I also mistakenly thought the picture posted was the OP boat; which it is not - my mistake.
I actually may end-up having DR mounts up forward on my current boat as I moved from inboard straight shafts to O/B's on a bracket & my props are now a good 6 feet aft of where there were before, and I also have a 33ft boat with a cockpit 8 feet or so long.

I was somewhat agreeing with you a bit but you stated it was bad and it really isnt ive fished ALL over this coast

I apologize for my bad behavior .

 

[wolf]

NO worries man its all good ... bigger things in life to worry about....

 

[sly_karma]

No law says you have to use the rocket launcher holders on the downrigger. Perfectly reasonable to have the riggers aft to improve angles and use rail mounted rod holders a couple feet forward of that for comfortable access.

 

[walleyes]

No law says you have to use the rocket launcher holders on the downrigger. Perfectly reasonable to have the riggers aft to improve angles and use rail mounted rod holders a couple feet forward of that for comfortable access.

Makes sense but I will bring one thing to attention and this is my personal preference. I like to keep things clean and by clean I don’t only mean not dirty but I mean not cluttered. Personally I prefer downriggers either far back or far ahead one or the other. That way when you are fighting a nice fish next to the boat and have a net out it’s not getting caught in everything and getting snagged. I prefer my downriggers towards the back that way when they are folded to the side you have the full length of your gunnel clean and free to handle the net and your rod without getting snagged. I see boats on here and in videos and have to shake my head like wow some boats are busy and cluttered. Big beautiful boats and no room for anyone to barely turn around in them or fight a fish, it’s like it’s a collection site and a competition to see how much stuff they can fit on the boat. I don’t even like tackle boxes out in my boat and have went to trays that are put away out of the way. Clean, clear free of debris leaves little room for screw ups.

 

[sly_karma]

Agreed. If it's a serious fish, the riggers and balls come in and rod holders are removed and stowed. Nothing on the gunwale to snag, nothing on the deck to trip on.

 

[Aquaholic]

Once you have tried it with riggers forward and stood behind them to use the clip and let the line down, you might never go back. If people have not tried it both ways, please think about why you are adamant that your way is better.

 

[walleyes]

Once you have tried it with riggers forward and stood behind them to use the clip and let the line down, you might never go back. If people have not tried it both ways, please think about why you are adamant that your way is better.

Go to the “Let’s see your boat” thread. Watch the video I posted of the wife and I out on the new boat with my riggers placed to the back. The video shows me setting my downriggers on both sides,, tell me if I’m struggling with anything.

 

[RiverBoy]

bit of a detail but...just trying to add some info to ponder for the OP.
I despise rocket launchers; especially the silver tubes on the new HP units. total garbage. i have now seen four rods ( not mine ) go bye bye for having them snap at the base. managed to get one back cause the line was buried deep in the clip. strikers all the way for me. my rod and reels at too valuable to me

as far as grabbing the clip a lot of ppl use gaffs and hooks.’prolly safer that way.

 

[gunnerlove]

My riggers were in the far back corners when I bought the boat. I fished like that for 4 years while thinking nothing of it. Then I took one charter trip on a boat with the riggers mounted 6ft forward and I moved mine that week. I never realized how awkward my set up was or how I much I dislike boom mounted rod holders until I used an easier setup.

 

[Rain City]

I like far back but with enough room to get "behind" the rigger. And boom mounted holders can eat sh*t and die. I have the dual tube bases for cleanliness.

 

[Sharphooks]

My boat has surprisingly low gunnels....they come to about mid-thigh level. If I ever get stuck in a trough out on the back deck, I could see it might be sketchy and understand why some people put stainless rails on their gunnels. My approach—-mount the riggers mid-ship of the dance floor. When you can stand behind it, yes, it promotes ease of launching your gear but also gives you something to brace against in crappy weather.

Also, OP, there are gadgets on the market that allow for creative ways of mounting DR’s if you have minimal space or need reinforcing.

My boat came with Burnewiin mounts. Unfortunately, the stainless ones are expensive but they create a solid base in your gunnel and they can be reinforced. The DR attaches to a stainless bayonet which slips into the base mount—-no more Scotty bolts to screw around with—-they work slick

There is also a “V” Lock mounting system. A bit more wallet friendly. Both are well designed for downrigger applications (and for mounting just about anything on a boat gunnel).

 

[Aquaholic]

Go to the “Let’s see your boat” thread. Watch the video I posted of the wife and I out on the new boat with my riggers placed to the back. The video shows me setting my downriggers on both sides,, tell me if I’m struggling with anything.

Where did I say you’re struggling? Use your comprehension and look at what I wrote. In other words, have you tried them on any boat further forward.

 

[barkerfam]

I built a starboard mount for an orca. I can angle it how I want and place it at a better height.

 

[Aquaholic]

I built a starboard mount for an orca. I can angle it how I want and place it at a better height.

How is the flex in that system?

 

[barkerfam]

How is the flex in that system?

the starboard is 1”, so there is essentially no flex there. I angle the orcas about 45° which limits the torsional flex. I haven’t noticed any fore/aft flex. Had them for three years now. The system works so much better for newbies and my older sisters who struggle mightily with the rocket launcher type.

i left the original rocket launcher to use for a clip holder when letting out line.

 

[Dogbreath]

....left the original rocket launcher to use for a clip holder when letting out line.

They are good for that!

 

[Aquaholic]

the starboard is 1”, so there is essentially no flex there. I angle the orcas about 45° which limits the torsional flex. I haven’t noticed any fore/aft flex. Had them for three years now. The system works so much better for newbies and my older sisters who struggle mightily with the rocket launcher type.

i left the original rocket launcher to use for a clip holder when letting out line.

I have fished a lot with a smaller stature female, and she struggled with the boom mounts so we used the in hull angled versions and she could get them out even with a big chinook screaming out line. Huge difference and confidence builder, made for a great experience. .

 

[walleyes]

Where did I say you’re struggling? Use your comprehension and look at what I wrote. In other words, have you tried them on any boat further forward.

Cool down, take a breath.

I fully understood what you wrote my point was, it’s pretty smooth either way and it’s hard to get much easier and smoother than that demo. And yes I have fished in boats with them far ahead, in the middle at the back, right off the back. Every boat is a little different and allows for different placements. There’s no set perfect way, what works best in one boat won’t work best in another. Allowing room to manoeuvre and handle gear in the boat is paramount. Setting the gear is only one part of the equation.

But I’m done with this and I think the OP has enough info to decide for himself, it’s just getting into a cluster now.

Good luck to the OP.

 

[wolf]

Once you have tried it with riggers forward and stood behind them to use the clip and let the line down, you might never go back. If people have not tried it both ways, please think about why you are adamant that your way is better.

YES been doing it this way for close to 30 years. I hate at back of boat as your always working over the rigger a real pain in arse to be honest but THATS my preference. its up to you... do it the the right way or work harder LOL

 

[ericl]

First thing I did with my Scotty's was to remove the boom rod holders. I have both rod's in rail mounted holders on the transom pointed straight back each holder 18" or so off the center line. Upon a strike, I grab the reel handle & start reeling while I remove the rod, reel-in tight while raising the rod then set the hook all in one smooth motion. Having the rods placed as above allows me to watch both tips at once. As to where to mount the DR's, wherever the cable doesn't introduce itself with the prop(s) works for me; I am fine with any downsides to this mounting strategy.
As to running more than 2 lines/riggers, you need a great crew and/or cockpit controls to handle more than 2 fish at once; greatly depends on the fish. I know a guide outta Ucluelet that Sockeye fishes alone with 4 lines & waits til all 4 hook-up then reels them-in.