Double rigging for center riggers?

[mahi714]

Hello everyone, I have a slight dillemma and would love to hear your opinion. I have a 21 seacraft with a very new 200 suzuki 4 stroke which has served me well the past couple years allowing me to get a bit offshore on the nice days. I had the boat in So. FLA for years where offshore is a relative term. I now live on the East end of Long Island and fish around Block( Fairway Buoy area for sharks and schoolie BFT). Its a great boat but i need something a little bigger with twins that can get me a little further. My father has a beautiful 28 Bertram, in perfect shape, that I get to use but it is not rigged for fishing. The problem is, he is getting old and never fishes anymore and does not want "unnecessary stuff" ,ie. outriggers, onboard. The best solution I can come up with, for setting up a decent trolling spread, would be a center rigger off the radar arch because it will not be in the way at all (the outrigger bases are the problem). What do You guys think? Does anyone actually troll without outriggers? Can you double rig a center rigger somehow? Its a strange situation, I have a 21 SC rigged to the gills for offshore but the bigger, more capable boat is unrigged. I would really appreciate some input before I put money into it. Thanks alot and tight lines to all this coming season.

[Parapapam]

How many rod holders does he have and where are they located? Let's start there.

After that I can easily dream up a 6 rod spread. Maybe even an 8 rod spread.

But to anwser your question about the double center rigger... I can envision how to make it work, but you would need a fairly long rigger in order to layer the lines and separate the lures. The release clips would need to be 18 inches (maybe too close) to 3 feet apart. Meaning a 6 to 9 foot center rigger.

I run a poor mans center rigger (painters pole with a release clip) from the rod holders behind my leaning post. I run another rod there as well and the line goes in straight from the rod tip. So the rod tip line is about 9 feet off the water and the painters pole clip may be 12 feet off the water. But the lures are not only layered one on top of the other, they are also offset (left/right) be 18 - 24 inches or so.

You can make anything work. It is not ideal. But you can make it work. Throw in some "out rodders" and some strategically place "rubber band" release clips and you are in the game.

Mike

[Reel Pursuit]

Great minds think alike! When I first read this post I thought:
outrodders or even out-rovers. Then jerry-rig the center to run 2 more. But Mike beat me to it.

[JD5652]

I have seen center riggers double rigged, but have not done it myself....so it is possible.

[Dads Dream]

I think you need to take a good look at Tuna Meltdown's boat....for sure!

[pitch bait]

I never understood why people do this. If you put lines in both clips and run them to the top of the rigger the baits will tangle I would imagine.

[Parapapam]

I never understood why people do this. If you put lines in both clips and run them to the top of the rigger the baits will tangle I would imagine.

You don't run them both to the top... One goes to the top, the other goes half way up.... You get a good distance in between and they will not tangle?

Mike

[ElMar2530]

Couldn't you put gunwhale mounted outriggers on the Bertram??

When you are not fishing you can take them out and you are left with something that looks like a rod holder. Yes? No?

[pitch bait]

Good point. I never thought of that.

[mahi714]

Thanks for the great ideas fellas. Looking into it all. I think we are going with the removeable outriggers. Adding a few rod holders as well. Thanks alot. Hope you all have a productive and safe season. J