Posted by Boat Supply Store on Feb 25th 2026

How to Install Outriggers for Hunting & Fishing: Step-by-Step Guide

Installing outriggers on your fishing boat is one of the most impactful upgrades you can make for offshore trolling success. Done correctly, a proper outrigger installation widens your spread, keeps lines separated, and dramatically increases your hook-up ratio on everything from mahi-mahi to blue marlin. This step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process — from choosing the right mount and poles to final rigging and testing — so you can get fishing faster and with confidence.

Before you pick up a drill, it helps to understand your gear options. If you're still weighing your choices, our guide on how to choose the right hunting & fishing gear covers the fundamentals every boater should know before making a purchase decision.

What You'll Need Before You Start

Gather these tools and materials before beginning your installation:

Outrigger poles (carbon fiber or aluminum, sized to your boat)
Outrigger mounts (top mount, rocket launcher mount, or gunnel mount)
Stainless steel bolts, backing plates, and marine-grade sealant
Power drill with step bits and hole saw
Torque wrench and socket set
Measuring tape and marking pencil
Outrigger halyards, rings, and snap clips
Safety glasses and work gloves

The quality of your hardware matters enormously in a saltwater environment. Cheap mounts corrode, wobble, and ultimately cost more in repairs than premium equipment. Investing in purpose-built marine outrigger systems pays dividends every season.

Step 1: Choose the Right Outrigger System for Your Boat

Outrigger selection depends on three factors: your boat's beam, the species you're targeting, and your typical sea conditions. Offshore boats running in open water need longer, stiffer poles that can handle rough conditions and spread lines far enough to avoid prop wash.

Outrigger Pole Length Guidelines

Boat Size	Recommended Pole Length	Best Application
25–32 ft	15–19 ft	Inshore/nearshore trolling
32–40 ft	19–22 ft	Offshore trolling, wahoo, mahi
40 ft+	22 ft+	Big game, blue water billfish

For serious offshore anglers running 32-foot-plus boats, the TACO 22' Open Water Internal & Collapsible Carbon Fiber Outrigger Poles represent the gold standard. At $6,573.99, these poles offer exceptional stiffness, reduced weight compared to aluminum, and an internal collapsible design that makes storage and deployment effortless. Carbon fiber construction means they resist twist under load — critical when you're dragging a spread of lures at eight knots.

If your boat falls in the 28–36 foot range, the TACO 19' Open Water Internal & Collapsible Carbon Fiber Outrigger Poles at $5,749.99 deliver the same premium carbon fiber build in a slightly shorter profile — ideal for nearshore and offshore trips where a full 22-foot spread isn't necessary.

Choosing Between Fixed and Collapsible Poles

Collapsible poles are strongly preferred for most boaters. They allow you to retract the poles for docking, navigating bridges, or running in rough seas without removing the hardware. Internal collapsible designs like the TACO Open Water series collapse within the pole sleeve, maintaining clean lines and structural integrity.

Step 2: Select the Right Outrigger Mount

Your mount is the foundation of the entire system. A poorly installed or underpowered mount can flex, allowing poles to droop under load — which kills your lure action and risks losing gear. Match your mount to both pole diameter and your boat's hardtop or gunnel construction.

Top Mount vs. Rocket Launcher Mount vs. Gunnel Mount

Mount Type	Best For	Key Advantage
Top Mount (hardtop)	Center consoles, sportfishers with hardtop	Maximum height, wider spread
Rocket Launcher	Boats with T-top or rocket launcher tubes	Easy swap, no drilling hardtop
Gunnel Mount	Open boats, walkarounds	Lower profile, easy access

For hardtop-equipped offshore boats running 1-1/2" diameter poles, the TACO Grand Slam 300XL Outrigger Mount at $5,551.99 is among the most capable mounts on the market. The 300XL features a heavy-duty base with precision adjustment angles, locking mechanisms that hold position in rough water, and full 360-degree rotation for fine-tuning your spread angle on the fly.

If you want a slightly more budget-conscious option without sacrificing quality, the TACO Grand Slam 300 Outrigger Mount at $4,515.99 is an excellent performer for 1-1/2" poles on center consoles and mid-range sportfishers. It shares the same TACO Marine engineering with robust stainless hardware throughout.

For boaters who prefer a crank-style top mount that allows easy deployment and retrieval without leaving the cockpit, the Tigress XD Crank Top Mount at $2,999.99 is a premium option. Its integrated crank mechanism lets a single angler raise or lower poles smoothly — a genuine safety and convenience advantage when running solo or short-handed.

Step 3: Plan Your Mount Locations

Before drilling a single hole, spend time planning your mount positions. Incorrect placement is one of the most common and costly installation mistakes.

Key Placement Considerations

Symmetry: Mounts must be perfectly mirrored port and starboard. Measure from the centerline of the boat, not from the edge of the hardtop, which may not be perfectly symmetrical.
Forward/Aft Position: Most top mounts are positioned in the aft third of the hardtop, just forward of the helm station. This keeps poles angled aft over the cockpit and spread at an optimal trolling angle.
Structural Support: Locate mounting points over hardtop framing members when possible. Avoid areas with wiring or plumbing beneath the surface.
Pole Sweep Arc: With poles installed, confirm there's enough clearance for full rotation without contacting radar arches, antennas, or rod holders.

Step 4: Install the Backing Plates and Mounts

This is the most critical phase of the installation. Improper backing plates or inadequate sealant are the leading causes of mount failure and deck leaks.

Drilling and Mounting Procedure

Mark your hole locations using a template provided with your mount, or by carefully measuring the bolt pattern. Use a center punch to prevent drill bit walking.
Drill pilot holes with a small bit first, then step up to the final diameter. For fiberglass decks, use sharp bits and moderate speed to prevent delamination.
Cut backing plate material (aluminum plate, 1/4" minimum thickness) to fit inside the hardtop cavity beneath each mount. The backing plate distributes load across a larger area — never skip this step.
Apply marine-grade sealant (3M 4200 or equivalent) generously around each bolt hole before installing the mount. Sealant must fully encapsulate the bolt shafts to prevent water intrusion.
Thread stainless steel bolts through the mount, deck surface, and backing plate, then install washers and locking nuts. Torque to manufacturer specification — typically 15–25 ft-lbs for outrigger mounts.
Wipe excess sealant immediately with a clean rag. Allow full cure time (typically 24–48 hours) before loading the mount.

Step 5: Attach and Secure the Outrigger Poles

With mounts fully cured and secure, you're ready to seat the poles. This step varies depending on your mount style but follows the same general process.

Slide the pole butt section into the mount sleeve. Most premium mounts like the TACO Grand Slam series use a compression-fit collar with stainless locking screws.
Set your outward angle — typically 10 to 20 degrees from vertical for standard trolling spreads. Wider angles spread lines further but reduce pole height clearance.
Set your fore/aft sweep angle — poles should angle slightly aft (roughly 10–15 degrees behind vertical) so they trail cleanly while underway.
Tighten all locking screws and clamps to spec. Check that poles don't rotate under moderate hand pressure before rigging lines.

Step 6: Rig the Outrigger Lines and Hardware

Rigging outrigger halyards correctly determines how your baits present in the water. Improperly rigged lines tangle, fail to release on strikes, or drag baits at the wrong depth.

Basic Halyard Rigging Steps

Thread the halyard line through all pole rings from butt to tip.
Attach a release clip to the halyard at the desired position. Most anglers run the main outrigger clip near the tip and a second clip midway for a two-bait setup per pole.
Tie off the halyard ends to a cleat or jam cleat at the base of the pole for easy tension adjustment.
Test each release clip for tension — they should release cleanly at 10–20 lbs of pull, mimicking a fish strike.
Attach a bungee shock cord between the halyard and cleat to absorb wave action and reduce false releases.

Need help selecting the full complement of rigging accessories? Our complete buying guide for hunting & fishing gear covers release clips, halyards, swivels, and everything else needed to complete your spread.

Step 7: Final Inspection and Sea Trial

Before heading offshore, perform a thorough pre-launch inspection:

Check all mount bolts for tightness
Verify pole locking hardware is secure and shows no slippage
Confirm halyards run freely without binding
Test release clips under hand tension
Inspect for any sealant gaps or moisture around mount bases

On your first sea trial, run at trolling speed (typically 6–9 knots) and observe pole flex and line behavior. Slight flex is normal and desirable — it acts as a shock absorber. Excessive wobble at the mount indicates insufficient torque or a structural issue that must be resolved before fishing.

Outrigger System Comparison: Which Setup Is Right for You?

System	Price	Best For	Key Feature
TACO 22' Carbon Fiber Poles	$6,573.99	Large offshore boats 32 ft+	Maximum spread, ultra-stiff carbon
TACO 19' Carbon Fiber Poles	$5,749.99	Mid-range offshore 28–36 ft	Versatile, lightweight, collapsible
TACO Grand Slam 300XL Mount	$5,551.99	Heavy-duty 1-1/2" pole setups	Max adjustability, locking rotation
TACO Grand Slam 300 Mount	$4,515.99	Standard 1-1/2" pole setups	Premium build, excellent value
Tigress XD Crank Top Mount	$2,999.99	Shorthanded crews, easy deployment	Integrated crank, smooth operation

Boat Supply Store stocks all of these systems with fast shipping, so you can plan your installation and get on the water without unnecessary delays. Browse the full selection at our hunting & fishing gear category to find the right combination for your boat.

Common Installation Mistakes to Avoid

Skipping backing plates: The single most common cause of mount failure and hull damage. Always use oversized backing plates.
Using non-marine sealant: Silicone bathroom caulk breaks down in UV and saltwater. Use 3M 4200, 5200, or equivalent marine-grade products.
Mismatched pole and mount diameters: A 1-1/4" pole in a 1-1/2" mount will wobble dangerously. Confirm compatibility before purchasing.
Undertorquing bolts: Use a torque wrench. Handtight is never sufficient for offshore outrigger loads.
Ignoring sweep angle: Poles set too far forward will cross lines at trolling speed. Set aft sweep before tightening mounts permanently.

Maintenance Tips to Extend Outrigger Lifespan

A quality outrigger system installed correctly should last many years with routine maintenance:

Rinse all hardware with fresh water after every saltwater outing
Apply corrosion inhibitor (Boeshield T-9 or similar) to mount pivot points and locking hardware quarterly
Inspect halyard lines for fraying at ring contact points every season
Check and re-torque mount bolts at the start of each season
Store poles retracted when not fishing to reduce UV fatigue on line guides and rings

For more guidance on selecting the right accessories to complement your outrigger setup, visit our resource on choosing the right hunting & fishing gear — it covers release clips, outrigger bags, rigging wire, and more.

FAQ: Installing Outriggers for Fishing

How long does it take to install outriggers on a fishing boat?

A complete outrigger installation — including mount fitting, drilling, sealing, and rigging — typically takes 4 to 8 hours for an experienced DIYer working alone, or 2 to 4 hours with a helper. Allow an additional 24–48 hours for marine sealant to cure fully before putting the system under load.

Do I need a professional to install outriggers, or can I do it myself?

Most boaters with basic mechanical skills and access to the right tools can install outriggers successfully. The critical steps are correct backing plate sizing, proper sealant application, and accurate torquing. If you're unsure about your boat's hardtop construction or have wiring beneath the mounting area, consulting a marine technician for the drilling phase is a smart precaution.

What's the difference between a 300 and 300XL outrigger mount?

The TACO Grand Slam 300XL is a heavier-duty version of the 300, designed for longer poles and larger boats that generate more lateral force on the mount during trolling. The 300XL features a larger base footprint, more robust internal hardware, and enhanced locking adjustments. For boats over 35 feet running 20+ foot poles in open water, the 300XL is the recommended choice.

Can I install outriggers on a boat without a hardtop?

Yes. Gunnel mounts, T-top tube mounts, and rocket launcher sleeve mounts allow outrigger installation on boats without hardtops. These mount types secure to the gunnel rail or existing T-top tubing and work well for center consoles and walkarounds. The pole height will be lower than a hardtop mount, but the spread and fishing performance are still highly effective.

How far apart should outrigger poles be spread when trolling?

The optimal spread angle places each pole 15 to 20 degrees outboard of vertical, which typically positions lines 10 to 20 feet outside the boat's beam depending on pole length. Longer poles and wider angles give more separation from prop wash and allow more lines in the water without tangles. Adjust based on sea conditions — narrower spread in rough water reduces cross-tangles.

Ready to upgrade your offshore setup with a professional-grade outrigger system? Boat Supply Store carries the full range of TACO Marine and Tigress outrigger equipment — from premium carbon fiber poles to heavy-duty mounts — all backed by expert knowledge and fast shipping. Shop our complete hunting & fishing gear collection and build the spread that puts more fish in the box this season.