John H wrote:
On Sat, 04 Jun 2005 13:24:48 -0400, John Murphy wrote:


Peter Aitken wrote:

We are about to purchase a 28 foot boat that will be used primarily for
fishing in the waters off North Carolina. We are unsure about outriggers and
whether they would be worthwhile for us. I know they are used when trolling
for billfish. Are they used for other species too - tuna, mackeral? And am I
right in thinking they serve no other purpose than to let you get more lines
in the water?

Thanks!


I have a 28 foot boat in NC also. We use the riggers whenever we are
trolling offshore for billfish, tuna, wahoo, mahi, kings, etc. In
addition to spreading the lines out and allowing more lines, it also
gives you an automatic dropback which gives the fish a chance to get the
bait into his mouth after a hit.

For a 28 footer I'd recommend a minimum of 15ft and more likely 18ft
poles. You don't need real fancy ones. Perko has a couple of sets that
should do you fine. Make sure you get reasonably sturdy ones with good
solid mounts. If a big fat yellowfin or the man in the blue suit comes
along you don't want them bent or broken.

Capt Tuna


Where in NC are you out of? Some folks where my wife works have been pushing NC
as a retirement home. She saw some ads for some nice places in New Bern, but
that seems a long way from any decent fishing. Right now I own a 21' Pro Line,
but that doesn't seem big enough for the kind of fishing you're talking about.
Any comments, recommendations, etc?

We live in Beaufort County not far off the ICW. Its about a 2 1/2 hour
run to Ocracoke Island which makes a good base of ops. PLenty of dock
space, fuel and facilities. Its a short (75-90 min) ride out to the
Gulf Stream from there - usually 20-30 miles out. Last year we had blue
water 11 miles out. This spring it was a 40 mile run.

New Bern is a little further inland and is on the Neuse River which is a
bit nastier more often than the Pamlico River where we are. Beaufort
County around Washington and Belhaven is becoming a great retirement
area. Boating is big here. New Bern is probably more known as a
golfing community.

A 21 footer is fine for the rivers, the sound and near shore fishing
outside. I wouldn't want to go much past 5 miles out in anything less
than 26 ft twin engine. (But then again I used to be in the USCG).