I have a 30 foot Grady White Marlin 300 (2007) and am considering adding outriggers for tuna fishing. My boat is located in Sausalito, CA. Our Albacore season typically lasts from late July through October if we are fortunate.
We went out tuna fishing four times last year without outriggers, arrayed six poles and two meat lines, without any problems (and, we caught fish!).
The intriguing thing to me about outriggers is increasing the spacing between lines/lures, and covering more territory (oh, and they look great!).
The owner of the Grady White dealership I purchased the boat from(Brett), is a tuna fisherman also, and does not think that outriggers are necessary in our environment...now, if we were in Cabo or some other "big fish" area, he would vote yes (and, I respect his opinion).
However, out here on the left coast , if you talk to 100 guys re. this subject, you will likely get a 50/50 split on whether or not you should have them or not.
So, my questions for you are, 1) Are outriggers beneficial when fishing for tuna in our neck of the woods?, 2) If yes, why and if no, why not, 3.) If your answer to number 1 is yes, where do you stand on hard top mounted (ala Taco Grand Slam 350H's w/18" poles, @ $1,715 vs. Lee MX7008's, 8' in length w/16 ft. poles (24 total feet) @$4,065., and, 4) with either set-up, which poles have the least flex (ie., spreader, telescoping, straight pole?).
I welcome any other thoughts.
Thank you,
Tim
We went out tuna fishing four times last year without outriggers, arrayed six poles and two meat lines, without any problems (and, we caught fish!).
The intriguing thing to me about outriggers is increasing the spacing between lines/lures, and covering more territory (oh, and they look great!).
The owner of the Grady White dealership I purchased the boat from(Brett), is a tuna fisherman also, and does not think that outriggers are necessary in our environment...now, if we were in Cabo or some other "big fish" area, he would vote yes (and, I respect his opinion).
However, out here on the left coast , if you talk to 100 guys re. this subject, you will likely get a 50/50 split on whether or not you should have them or not.
So, my questions for you are, 1) Are outriggers beneficial when fishing for tuna in our neck of the woods?, 2) If yes, why and if no, why not, 3.) If your answer to number 1 is yes, where do you stand on hard top mounted (ala Taco Grand Slam 350H's w/18" poles, @ $1,715 vs. Lee MX7008's, 8' in length w/16 ft. poles (24 total feet) @$4,065., and, 4) with either set-up, which poles have the least flex (ie., spreader, telescoping, straight pole?).
I welcome any other thoughts.
Thank you,
Tim