Outrigger clips for Big lures?

[offshore]

Quick question. What outrigger clips are you using for big trolling lures? I have blacks right now but in rough water they tend to pop quite a bit. The outriggers handle the lures fine but the clips dont..... Thanks Mark

[Patudo]

That's a little odd. I've used the Black's clips with fairly large lures in rough conditions without trouble.

Melton's used to sell a stouter version of the Black's clip called the Diesel but unfortunately they do not seem to be available on the Melton Tackle site anymore - which is a shame because they are/were a good product. If you're running your lines direct from the riggers you could try the Trip-Eze - they have two tension screws and can be tightened up quite a bit.

[offshore]

That's a little odd. I've used the Black's clips with fairly large lures in rough conditions without trouble.

Melton's used to sell a stouter version of the Black's clip called the Diesel but unfortunately they do not seem to be available on the Melton Tackle site anymore - which is a shame because they are/were a good product. If you're running your lines direct from the riggers you could try the Trip-Eze - they have two tension screws and can be tightened up quite a bit.

They seem to be fine in except for down sea rough water.

[TunaTeaser1]

Mark I find that odd too as I haven't had a problem with the regular blacks. How old are your clips? I would try the trip-eez or the Rupp Klickers. As stated they both have tension screws. You could also look at the Afto rollers or the Rupp Nokouts.

You will see a lot of guys with both a blacks clip and a roller clip on their halyards for different conditions, etc. I was not to fond of the Rupp klickers for everyday trolling as I found that when moving fast to send a bait up, I would feel a click and start sending it up without looking, only to see that the pin wasn't all the way secure. Also they were harder to unclip without a line in the there should it become closed. They do get tighter than blacks and are a good release clip, just a personal preference.

[offshore]

Mark I find that odd too as I haven't had a problem with the regular blacks. How old are your clips? I would try the trip-eez or the Rupp Klickers. As stated they both have tension screws. You could also look at the Afto rollers or the Rupp Nokouts.

You will see a lot of guys with both a blacks clip and a roller clip on their halyards for different conditions, etc. I was not to fond of the Rupp klickers for everyday trolling as I found that when moving fast to send a bait up, I would feel a click and start sending it up without looking, only to see that the pin wasn't all the way secure. Also they were harder to unclip without a line in the there should it become closed. They do get tighter than blacks and are a good release clip, just a personal preference.

Alex I was thinking of putting Two clips on each position a light and a tight. IT might have been me switching out lures and not readjusting the clip enough. We were trying some different stuff last weekend. I just changed the clips out the beginning of the season as well when I re-rigged the outriggers. Also I tried a higher and more sweptback position on the outriggers this past trip. That might have had something to do with it. I really like the Blacks but agree that two in each position might be the way to go.
When we are fishing for whites and sails We set everything very very light but at the same time we are always dragging bigger stuff for Blues. The double clips might be a good compromise.

[clt_capt]

I don't run lures much, but fishing in Hawaii I noticed that a good many boats that pull big lures don't use clips at all - they use rubberbands.

[Deep C]

My big lures are run off tag lines and #64 rubber bands. The idea being no drop back. If a lure drops say 25 or 30 feet back after a bite and that fish is moving say 10-20 feet a second thats over a full second it can change its mind. On my flats I will sometimes clip down and blacks work fine for me...

[Patudo]

I'm making a couple of assumptions here so correct me if I'm wrong, Offshore. Clips popping on a down sea troll in rough conditions suggests that your lures might be digging/jumping/sling shotting, most likely in combination with riggers bending and flicking. I'd reckon that if you can stiffen up your riggers with for instance a stay to the rail (most T-top type outriggers are not stiff enough to pull larger lures by themselves) you'll probably notice an improvement. Also try and avoid tacks that take you straight down-sea if possible - and select lure designs and sizes that hold the water well whilst not pulling excessively hard on your riggers. You may also find reducing speed slightly in rough conditions can help your lures stay in the water, as well as giving you a more comfortable ride.

IMO the clips are most likely fine for the job. My suspicion is that with a couple of adjustments as mentioned above they will serve you just fine.

NB. On an unrelated note, are you fishing your lines directly through the pin or ??? The higher resistance of a medium to large artificial will result in undesirable chaffing if it's run through the pin - I highly recommend adding a spliced dacron loop to your mainline to clip into the pin.

[offshore]

NB. On an unrelated note, are you fishing your lines directly through the pin or ??? The higher resistance of a medium to large artificial will result in undesirable chaffing if it's run through the pin - I highly recommend adding a spliced dacron loop to your mainline to clip into the pin.

I am just running them straight through the pin so I can adjust the distance and swimming of the lure. I had considered tag lines as well. I will give the rubber bands and dacron a shot. I think the main problem is that we are fishing for two different size fish. The Whites and Sails require more finesse and the blues are just brutes. I guess that we are lucky to have that problem but I am finding it hard to find a good setup that works for both.......

[canyongear]

All good points, the tag lines work well especially in a down sea condition I have noticed.

Another thought, however, you might try adjusting the rigger line (halyard) tension too, if you have a cam cleat set-up that allows for the adjustment of the rigger line tension. Adjusting the rigger line tension may help easing the pressure on the clip during a wave crest pull thru of the lure.

If you have the bungees and they are new and you just re-rigged your riggers perhaps the rigger lines are too tight and or the bungees are a bit too stiff..

I would try the tag lines, simple to set up and easy to use, plus you gain the drop back as Deep mentioned. BLACK #64 rubber bands..a must. Also, as an alternative to the standard rubber band method of attaching the rod mainline to a snap swivel at the end of the tag line. You can install a release clip at the end of the tag line and as Patudo said pre-splice a dacron loop on the rod mainline or you can also use floss to create the loop for the release clip.

Just some thoughts.