What outriggers do and why they matter for trolling

Outriggers are poles that extend from the sides of your boat to spread your fishing lines wider and deeper than you could hold them by hand. They let you fish multiple lines at once without tangling, keep baits and lures at different distances from the boat, and let you cover more water while trolling. A good outrigger setup turns a single-line troll into a three- or four-line spread that covers the column of water where fish actually hunt.

The basic idea is simple: the outrigger holds your line up and out, and when a fish strikes, the line releases from a clip at the tip so you can fight the fish on your rod without the outrigger in the way. This matters because it lets you fish aggressively — you can use lighter tackle and feel the strike immediately instead of waiting for a heavy weight to signal a bite.

Key Takeaways

  • Outriggers hold your fishing lines at the boat's sides and at depth, letting you fish multiple lines without tangles and cover more water while trolling.
  • A release clip holds your line under tension until a fish strikes, then the line pops free so you fight the fish on your rod alone.
  • Rigger placement — how high and how far out — depends on water depth, the lures you are using, and the species you are targeting.
  • Proper tension on the release clip prevents false drops from wave action but lets real strikes release cleanly every time.
  • Outriggers work best when you stagger your line lengths and lure weights so each line fishes at a different depth and distance from the boat.

Types of outriggers and how they mount

Manual outriggers are poles you raise and lower by hand, usually with a crank or pulley system. They are lighter, cheaper, and simpler to maintain than powered versions. They work well for smaller boats and for anglers who do not mind the extra work. You raise them when you are not trolling and lower them when you want to fish.

Electric outriggers raise and lower with a switch, which saves your arms on a long day and lets you adjust depth quickly without stopping the boat. They cost more and draw power from your battery, but they are standard on larger boats and charter vessels. Most electric models have a switch at the helm and another at the rail so you can adjust on the fly.

Both types mount to the gunwale (the upper edge of the boat's side) or to a tower or hardtop. Gunwale mounts are simpler and less expensive; tower mounts put the rigger higher, which gives you a better angle and more spread. Check your boat's construction and weight capacity before you buy — a heavy electric rigger needs solid backing and reinforcement.

Setting up your release clips and line tension

The release clip is the small device at the tip of the outrigger that holds your fishing line. It has two rubber or plastic jaws that grip the line under controlled tension. When a fish strikes hard enough, the line pulls free and you are left fighting the fish on your rod.

Tension is everything. Too tight and the clip will not release on a real strike; too loose and waves or the boat's motion will bounce your line out constantly. Start by setting the clip so it holds the line firmly but releases when you pull hard by hand — roughly the force of a good strike. Most clips have a screw or lever to adjust tension. Test it before you leave the dock by pulling the line yourself until it pops free.

Use a rubber snubber or shock absorber between the clip and your main line. This small piece of rubber tubing absorbs the jolt when the line releases and when the fish first strikes, which keeps your line from breaking and your rod from snapping. Tie it to your main line about 12 to 18 inches above the clip.

Rigging your lines at different depths and distances

The power of outriggers is that you can fish multiple lines at once, but only if each line fishes at a different depth or distance. If all your lines are the same length and weight, they will tangle and you will miss fish. Stagger them deliberately.

A typical three-line spread uses your outriggers for two lines and your rod holder for one. Set your outrigger lines at different heights — one at 30 feet back and 15 feet deep, the other at 50 feet back and 25 feet deep. Your rod line stays closest to the boat, maybe 10 to 15 feet back. Use different lure weights or different lure types so each line fishes at its own depth. Heavier lures dive deeper; lighter ones stay shallower.

The distance from the boat matters as much as the depth. Fish see your boat and may avoid it, so lines farther back often get more strikes. But lines too far back are hard to manage and slow to set the hook. Most trollers keep their outrigger lines between 30 and 80 feet back, depending on water clarity and the species they are chasing.

Adjusting outrigger height and angle for your target

How high you raise your outriggers depends on water depth and what you are fishing for. In shallow water (under 30 feet), raise them only partway so your lines do not dive too deep. In deep water, raise them high to get a steep angle and better spread. The higher the rigger, the wider your lines spread and the deeper they can dive.

Angle matters too. Most outriggers angle slightly back and out, which helps your lines stay separated and reduces the chance of tangles. If your riggers are too vertical, your lines will bunch up near the boat. If they angle too far back, you lose the spreading effect. Adjust the angle by moving the base of the rigger forward or back on the gunwale, or by adjusting the rigger's own angle if it has a hinge.

For species like striped bass or walleye that hunt in mid-water, keep your outriggers at medium height and moderate angle. For surface feeders like mackerel or bluefish, raise them higher so your lures stay near the top. For deep-water species like lake trout, lower them and use heavier lures on the outrigger lines.

Preventing tangles and managing your spread

Tangles happen when lines cross or when a fish on one line wraps around another. Prevent them by keeping your lines at different distances and depths, and by watching your spread as you troll. Look back every few minutes to make sure your lines are not drifting together.

If you feel a tug or see a line twitch, slow down slightly and check your spread. A tangle often feels like a light strike. If you do tangle, stop the boat and work the lines free by hand — do not try to power through it, which will break your line or damage your lures.

Use line weights or planers on your outrigger lines to control depth without using heavy lures. A 2-ounce weight on a light line will dive deeper than the lure alone, and you can adjust depth by changing the weight rather than changing lures. This lets you keep the same lure working while fishing different depths.

Trolling speed and when to deploy outriggers

Outriggers work best at trolling speeds between 2 and 5 knots, depending on your lures and the species. Slower speeds (2 to 3 knots) work well for deep-diving plugs and live bait; faster speeds (4 to 5 knots) suit lighter lures and surface presentations. If you go too fast, your lures will skip or your lines will not stay in the water properly.

Deploy your outriggers once you have your lines in the water and you are at trolling speed. Raise them slowly so your lines do not jerk or break. Once they are up, check that each line is sitting in its clip properly and that your spread looks good. If a line is not seated right, lower the rigger, reseat the line, and raise it again.

When you are done trolling or approaching shallow water, lower your outriggers before you slow down. This prevents the lines from sinking and tangling, and it protects the rigger from hitting bottom or debris. Make it a habit: outriggers up when you start trolling, down when you stop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need outriggers if I only fish one line at a time?

No. Outriggers are most useful when you want to fish multiple lines and cover more water. If you prefer to fish one line and feel every strike directly, you do not need them. But even one outrigger line can increase your catch rate by letting you fish a different depth or distance than your main rod.

What happens if my outrigger line breaks while I am trolling?

The line will fall away and sink. Lower your outrigger, reel in what is left, and retie. If the break happened at the clip, check the clip for damage or rough edges that might have cut the line. If the break was in the middle of the line, you may have hit a rock or debris underwater.

Can I use outriggers in rivers or shallow water?

Yes, but you will need to lower them more or angle them differently to avoid snagging bottom. In water shallower than 15 feet, keep your outriggers at low height and use lighter lures so your lines stay in the upper part of the water column. In rivers, watch for current and adjust your angle to keep lines from drifting into structure.

How do I know if my release clip tension is set right?

Test it by hand before you leave the dock. Pull the line with steady pressure until it pops free — it should take a firm pull but not an extreme one. Once you are trolling, watch for false releases from wave action. If your lines pop out constantly, tighten the clip. If you miss strikes, loosen it slightly.

Should I use the same lure on both outrigger lines?

No. Use different lure types, colors, or weights so you can figure out what the fish want. If one lure is getting all the strikes, switch the other line to something similar. This experimentation is one of the best reasons to fish multiple lines — you learn faster what works on any given day.