how many lines off a 26CC

[Tuna Meltdown]

I have run up to 8 before on my boat, but it is not needed. 4 rods, 1 on each outrigger and two on the corners for bars. Sluggos we run 1 one each rigger and 2 diving lures on the corners.

5-13" squidbars is my normal spread that I pull on Stellwagon for Bluefin. 2 off each 18' outrigger and one down the middle. That raised me plenty of fish last season and was easy to clear all the lines with a 2 man crew. But you got to remember that it is not the # of rigs you are presenting but the way in which and the speed at which your presenting your rigs. I would rather troll 3 well presented squidbars than 12 rigs that are being run wrong. Last year when the bite was hot on sluggos and Rapalas, I would only run 3 lines. Two sluggos way back off each outrigger and a rapala flat lined off one of the corners and that was more than enough of a spread to put multiple fish on my boat on multiple days.

[hotreels jr]

5-13" squidbars is my normal spread that I pull on Stellwagon for Bluefin. 2 off each 18' outrigger and one down the middle. That raised me plenty of fish last season and was easy to clear all the lines with a 2 man crew. But you got to remember that it is not the # of rigs you are presenting but the way in which and the speed at which your presenting your rigs. I would rather troll 3 well presented squidbars than 12 rigs that are being run wrong. Last year when the bite was hot on sluggos and Rapalas, I would only run 3 lines. Two sluggos way back off each outrigger and a rapala flat lined off one of the corners and that was more than enough of a spread to put multiple fish on my boat on multiple days.

I did not mean I run 8 lines, i run 4 bars out east or 3 lines on the bank pulling x raps or sluggos, sometimes 4 on the bank.

[On The Edge]

As you can see there are alot af different guys running a lot of different spreads all having sucess with their spread of choice. But i think all will agree that with 1 1/2 aluminum telescoping outriggers you can pull 2 bars on each one with no problem. Your spread or amount of rods in it will be determined by 3 things

#1 you and your crews experience and what you are comfortable running

#2 where you are fishing

#3 what you are fishing for

Knowing what your equipment is capable of is as important as how you use it.

Something to consider is there are alot of guys that would be happy to take you out on their boat so you can see how things are done. Or would be willing to go out on your boat to give some pointers based on your particular setup.

[sears720]

Just remember to put the lines through the rigger clips the correct way and to make sure the clips have the right tension on them. If they are too tight you may have a bent rigger soon enough

[Captain Greg Sears]

Practice and study your layout before you go out and Tuna fish. Squid Bars troll fine on Lee single pole outriggers with no strut wire support. Set your release clips just strong enough to hold the bars from releasing and you will be all right. When you use two lines on one outrigger make sure your furthest out is the furthest back or the line will get caught on the low rod. Practice and you will see what I mean. An old wise mate told me never troll more than you can handle. Sometimes less is best. Troll the one that is going to catch the fish. Quality not Quantity. Clean Rigs catch Fish. Work the one you got. But he never could answer the age old question How Many Licks to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop.

[Fortunamate]

But he never could answer the age old question How Many Licks to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop.[/QUOTE]

hahaha only my uncle

[Massbaytuna3]

...the real secret behind trolling in a small boat, is cheese wiz. Honestly, squirt a little inside the stinger, insta-hook up.

Just ask Capt. Greg...

Just my two.

[Goodnyou]

The rod holder pattern may limit you as well. I have a 26 footer with 22 foot riggers and a center rigger. I usually run 5 out east as I like to be able to spin the boat around the fish without tangles. If you haven't bought the riggers yet, get the 18s. You will really likethe seperation of the extra 6 feet. A center rigger would be one of the first additions for me. I see many people running too many lines too close to each other.

[backman]

what the Captain said. I've caught a fish or two out east and I'd bet 2/3 of the fish I have caught have been on a 4 rod spread; and most of the remaining fish have been on 2 or 3 rod spreads.

Get 2 bars right and drag them over fish who are eating and you will catch; get 2 bars right w/ a trailing ballyhoo, drag them over fish who aren't eating and they might come up, take a look and hit the ballyhoo behind the bars.

If I had a dollar for every time I have not been catching and threw out a few more things and continued not to catch.....

[stew]

No one trolled a 7 rod spread out east of Chatham. I was laughed at back in 2005 when I started to troll my 7 rod spread. The rule of thumb was 4 rods max to troll for bluefin. I would say that 1100 bluefin tuna in 4 seasons shows that it can and does work really well. But you have to have abig wide boat with long outriggers and a high center rigger to make it work. The "Tammy Rose" is a fishing machine. The slow bite days is when my spread really pays off. 4 differant color bars fished well out and away from the boat with the proper distances and separations. Separations are the key to making your spread fish effectively. On a small o/b boat you need to get the bars out and back away from your motors. Good stiff outriggers are the key. I will agree with one ststement that the bars have to "run" right or it doesn't matter. On my 26ft o/b boat I fish 5-6 rods everyday and I troll two squid bars up on each outrigger. The narrow beam that the smaller boats have does not lend itself well to fish a center rigger because I need to make quick, tight turns if the fish pop up. I would start with 4 to 5 rods and get your feet wet. The learning curve is big and starting with a new boat is always fun. Capt. Eric