Outriggers are equipment on boats that hold fishing rods, making it easier to fish multiple lines and bait spread around the boat. Outriggers are commonly made of aluminum, fiberglass and carbon fiber. Regardless of the material, all have the same configuration: They are long tapered poles with a pulley at the top and a rope running along the length. Tied to the rope is a clip called an outrigger pin, which is usually round or oval and works like a clothes pin. The base will have a bend in it to get the fishing line out to the side of the boat.

Things You'll Need:

• One or more fishing rods rigged and ready with hook and bait or artificial lure attached.
• One or more outriggers.
• A rod holder mounted on the boat to hold the fishing rod.

Rigging the outrigger

• Step 1

  Position the outrigger pin at the base of the outrigger so you can clip the fishing line to it and rig the outriggers.

• Step 2

  Test the pin to make sure the fishing line will release easily. If the pin does not release easily try a drop of light oil and exercising the pin's release mechanism to free it. If this does not work, replace the pin.

• Step 3

  Have the fishing rod in a rod holder near the outrigger. You will keep the rod in it while fishing. Disengage the spool on the reel, so it will spin freely, being careful not to let the line become tangled. The best way to prevent tangling the line is to smoothly pull out only the amount of line you need.

• Step 4

  Clip the fishing line to the outrigger pin by squeezing the pin so it opens, letting you put the line in the opening.

• Step 5

  Pull on the rope that runs the length of the outrigger to hoist the outrigger pin to the top of the outrigger. You can conceivably use the outrigger with the pin at any position on the outrigger.

• Step 6

  Unlock the outrigger from the base so it can swing freely and push it outward from the boat. Lock the outrigger in place. The lock will be a small lever at the outrigger's base that is unlocked by pulling it toward you and locked by pushing it away from you. Some outriggers do not have a locking mechanism; those outriggers merely need to be pushed into position.

• Step 7

  Re-engage the spool on the reel and loosen the drag, letting the line out smoothly until the bait is at the desired distance behind of the boat.

• Step 8

  Once the bait is where you want, tighten the drag but keep it set looser than normal to reduce the shock to the line when a fish hits the bait