I am looking at getting outriggers for fishing the extreme winter catfish season.. I want a little insurance that I stay upright with a big blue. Anyone bought or made these??

Don't bother, even the biggest of blues won't be caught deep enough to make a hard swim in the down direction. Worry more about hooking up with one and it dragging you under low slung branches(possibly breaking the other 2-5 rods that are pointed up). Clamp some pvc to a crate and go from there

I like the look of these. I've been thinking about building something similar not so much as insurance that I stay up right, but just to make drift fishing more comfortable. Easy to remove when I don't want them is the main feature i like about them.

Hey... those are nice ones! I will have to get some.

Those are easy to make for about 50$ just use pvc and crab bouys. There are also other ways to put them in and out of the water. I like the scotty asjustable rod holders. Slide the pvc into the rod holder and secure with a pin through the rod holder and pvc pipe. Install a TEE at the end of that pipe. Then branch out with the correct size pvc to fit through the bouy(might need reducer fittings). Put one crab bouy on each end of the tee then a cap on the outside of the bouys to hold them on. You can also put a pin through the tee so you can break it down better for the ride home. Also since they are mounted in the scottys you can lift them from the water while paddleing to ensure there is no extra drag.

Tight lines

I don't like the fact that the scotty rod holders put all the stress on one small spot of your kayak. I'd enforce the area behind where I mounted them w/ thick plastic from a cutting board but I still don't like it.
I'm not buying any outrigger system tho. Not gonna pay good money for something I won't use 90% of the time...

Oh and sorry the 50$ is without the scottys. Would be around 95$ with them

Also if I was going to use a rod holder type set up I'd use these instead of scottys:

If I actually build a set I will probably build one like the one you posted up at the top just for the fact of strength and the cost. Will definitely put in pins or something to break it down for transport though. I was considering instead of pins using 1/2" quick disconnect air fittings since I can get some from work, just curious if they would hold up for any length of time in the salt

http://www.scottypaddlesports.com/kayak-...tabilizers.html

Scotty makes a outrigger set, not sure of the cost though.

The beauty of the one that I posted was that it straps to the yak, thus eleminating the need to drill or mount anything perm. on the kayak.

My buddy made some as described above. He bought the floats and put them on the end of PVC. He added a scotty behind his seat on each side to support each one. Works pretty well but found that there wasn't much of a need for them. Agree wouldn't need them for catfishing. Would be very useable though if you are fishing a lot on the coast and site casting for redfish in the flats.

exactly what I want them for.

I believe he is looking to sell his. I can find out if interested. His handle is Boatrag.

Found his old post on TKF.

http://texaskayakfisherman.com/forum/vie...rigger#p1229046

As said before, he is 'boatrag' and has a pic and what he used to build. I'll check to see if he wants to sell them.

Ok MR. I am starting to like yours better but any how do you have any clue as to how the one you posted up top is attached to the kayak? On their website I also saw the motor mount and it gave me an idea. If i mounted 2 PVC pieces to slide down into my 2 flush mounts then build the rest like the one you posted it would stop it from moving side to side or forward or backwards, the only problem would be stopping it from moving up, which is probably the most important direction.... any ideas?

Not to sway you one way or the other but I do want to point out that the rear Scotty's are in a great location for trolling when not used for the outrigger. Good luck with the project and let us know how it turns out.

Thanks for all the ideas!

I'm going to put pool noodle on the PVC that goes across the kayak and then the strap will hold the outrigger in place.
I'll work on one this weekend and take a picture. I don't have the floats yet but I have the PVC so I can go ahead and get the frame built.

As far as i know the pool noodles are not nearly as bouyant as buoys. Therefor they do not give as much stabilization

I'm only using the pool noodle for the piece of pvc that is actually in contact w/ the kayak. It isn't for bouyance, just to help hold the piece in place and provide cushion for when I tighten the strap down. I'm going to probably use the largest size of boat bumper that they have at academy, at least for now. If this works well I might put them on my scrambler for my daughter to use. I won't take her in the winter right now because it is a little too dangerous if something where to happen.
I can take care of myself in an emergency but I'm not so foolhardy I would put her in possible danger.

Well hook us up with some pics when your done. I would love to see how you mount it and hear any first hand advise

I'm going to build the frame this weekend and I will mount it and take pictures. I probably won't go buy the bouys because if I get anywhere near academy right now my wife will freak out. Christmas stresses her out and she is in full gear.

+1,000,000

I just noticed the bottom of your sig farsouth. Love it. Im guessing it was recently added?