Taco 18' HD outriggers?

youngsaltydog · 12-30-2005, 11:23 AM

I was looking for some help on my purchase of a new set of outriggers. Is the Taco 18'HD telescopic poles strong enough or are they noodles? I have read in the past where some people have gone with the 15'HD’s because they are stiffer,any thoughts on this would help me out.

O-SEA-D · 12-30-2005, 11:38 AM

I have a set on my boat. I don't like them because they are 2 weak. They will bend eventually. Mine have been bent and rebent a million times. I can still retract them, but its a pain. I just leave them out all the time.

I have them double rigged plus I run a teaser off of each one as well.

TommyTuna · 12-30-2005, 02:29 PM

glenn w on here had em and hated em - too flimsy and easily bent to no longer telescope. some guys have the hd 15' version and like them, but i can't figure out why anyone would want only 15' riggers in the first place.....

jawz12 · 01-01-2006, 04:37 PM

those things are cheap junk....treat them like kryptonite !! use the lee,or the perko poles the absolute best are the rupps...

Glenn W · 01-03-2006, 10:02 AM

Yup, I had the 18' wetbacks. Garbage in a pretty package. They will not pull a doulble worth a hoot, I bent one of my poles running in on a not too rough day, and forget trying to telescope them if you do have double riggers (a tangled mess guaranteed). If you only run a single rigger I guess the telescope may be good if you only fish offshore a couple times a year and want to keep them handy in the boat-- but then the 15' would be a better choice.
I replaced w/ Lee's and put a spreader on each pole. Best thing I ever did, I can pull 2 Ilanders and a heavy teaser chain w/ virtually no flex. Rupps are sweet but $$$ for their spreaders.
Regarding the portability of poles w/ spreaders-- it's not an issue for me cause I don't trailer ( except a couple miles to the ramp), but a friend that does trailer alot simply unsrews his spreaders for trailering. He can assemble/ disassemble in less than 5 min.

youngsaltydog · 01-03-2006, 01:00 PM

Thanks for the info guys. Glenn what pair are you running on your boat?

Glenn W · 01-03-2006, 01:27 PM

Since I already had the Taco Grand Slam holders, I had to go with the narrower diameter Lees Poles ( I can look up the model if you need it). However, if you don't already have the holders, the larger diameter poles are definatley worth the money and match the holders to the thicker poles.
A word of caution: The Lee's catalog is confusing as hell. If you have holders now, measure the inside diameter of the holders and call Lee's, they will tell you the poles and spreader you need. If you need holders too-- still call Lees and they will hook you up with the right info. Finaly, Lee's will tell you not to put spreaders on a top mount. That is rubbish as long as the holders have ample backing.
If you need to order Lee's products, Tightlinestackle.com ( J. Mason) ussually has better prices than anyone

01-01-2006, 04:37 PM	#4
jawz12 I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: cape may nj Posts: 1,568 Credits: 4,105.0 Boat: 31 bertram Home Port: cape may nj Best Catch: my dog jawz... Occupation: marine repair shop owner	run !! and don't look back !! those things are cheap junk....treat them like kryptonite !! use the lee,or the perko poles the absolute best are the rupps...

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12-30-2005, 11:38 AM	#2
O-SEA-D I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Newport, NC Posts: 2,903 Credits: 2,118.6 Boat: 2000 26 Hydra Sports Home Port: MHC, NC Occupation: Telecomm Technician, Freelance Mate	I have a set on my boat. I don't like them because they are 2 weak. They will bend eventually. Mine have been bent and rebent a million times. I can still retract them, but its a pain. I just leave them out all the time. I have them double rigged plus I run a teaser off of each one as well.

12-30-2005, 02:29 PM	#3
TommyTuna Stop staring at my Avatar. Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Abingdon, MD Posts: 432 Credits: 1,595.3 Occupation: as little as possible	glenn w on here had em and hated em - too flimsy and easily bent to no longer telescope. some guys have the hd 15' version and like them, but i can't figure out why anyone would want only 15' riggers in the first place.....

01-03-2006, 10:02 AM	#5
Glenn W Motor Mouth Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Richmond, Va Posts: 4,028 Credits: 3,410.7 Occupation: Moonbat	Yup, I had the 18' wetbacks. Garbage in a pretty package. They will not pull a doulble worth a hoot, I bent one of my poles running in on a not too rough day, and forget trying to telescope them if you do have double riggers (a tangled mess guaranteed). If you only run a single rigger I guess the telescope may be good if you only fish offshore a couple times a year and want to keep them handy in the boat-- but then the 15' would be a better choice. I replaced w/ Lee's and put a spreader on each pole. Best thing I ever did, I can pull 2 Ilanders and a heavy teaser chain w/ virtually no flex. Rupps are sweet but $$$ for their spreaders. Regarding the portability of poles w/ spreaders-- it's not an issue for me cause I don't trailer ( except a couple miles to the ramp), but a friend that does trailer alot simply unsrews his spreaders for trailering. He can assemble/ disassemble in less than 5 min.

01-03-2006, 01:00 PM	#6
youngsaltydog Anthony's Ark is a blowboater Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Lorton,VA Posts: 258 Credits: 1,540.8	Thanks for the info guys. Glenn what pair are you running on your boat?

01-03-2006, 01:27 PM	#7
Glenn W Motor Mouth Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Richmond, Va Posts: 4,028 Credits: 3,410.7 Occupation: Moonbat	Since I already had the Taco Grand Slam holders, I had to go with the narrower diameter Lees Poles ( I can look up the model if you need it). However, if you don't already have the holders, the larger diameter poles are definatley worth the money and match the holders to the thicker poles. A word of caution: The Lee's catalog is confusing as hell. If you have holders now, measure the inside diameter of the holders and call Lee's, they will tell you the poles and spreader you need. If you need holders too-- still call Lees and they will hook you up with the right info. Finaly, Lee's will tell you not to put spreaders on a top mount. That is rubbish as long as the holders have ample backing. If you need to order Lee's products, Tightlinestackle.com ( J. Mason) ussually has better prices than anyone