17 foot, 6 rod setup question

[FlyingViking]

I usually fish with 1 buddy in my 17 foot princecraft. Right now my setup is 2 rods on scotty downriggers (each one has the 2 rod holders, one tube unused) and 2 dipsie rods. One on each side.

I’m thinking about adding 2 more cannon “360” rod holders to allow me to have 6 rods. Long line?

How would you guys set that up?? Should I need leadcore? Boards??

Image shows what my setup is now. Do I need another cannon??

Any thoughts would be great. I would like to take a 3rd person on the boat and ad 2 rods but I’m not sure how

Do I optimize the second rod holder on the downrigger and just get 2 more rods? I will plan on keeping 2 rods on downrigger, and 2 rods on dipsies. What 2 rods can I add here?

The question is specifically for Lake Erie… or someone has an idea for lake O?

 

[HTHM]

Planer board mast and boards.

 

[GPS]

Here’s how I run 8 rods, 4 per side with planer boards. Triple tree holder and a single further back. You can see the yellow boards spaced out.

 

[spincast]

I have run 8 off my 18 footer a couple times
I have a couple rocket launchers in the bow ahead of the helm. Run boards wide. Dipsey off each stern rocket launcher. Two rods per down rigger. Like the song, you need 40 acres to make a turn.
I don't like anything down the chute when running 4 rigger lines, especially core. Recipe for spaghetti lines

 

[jammer]

This is my setup...


Very simple and effective... I have to have a chute rod...

As we age the less long lines and boards I like to run...

 

[rockin-steelhead]

Here’s my set up. I put a 6 foot track on both sides of the boat and added 3 dual axis rod holders to each side and removed the rod holders off the Scotties. I also have a small track at the front on each side that have a rod holder in and use them for in line boards running long lines.

 

[Derkd9]

Add the new rod holders on the sides for two more dipsy rods
So run four dipsy rods and two for the down riggers straight out the back

 

[Ticker]

I got the 172
2 manual riggers with swivel and extending boom , 2 cannon rod holders 1 before and after riggers on each side
I tried 6 rods spread with 2 riggers 2 dipsey 2 leadcore out the back but it turned into a cluster fudge, no big tangles but if you get a crazy bow most lines had to be pulled to manage, so far 5 rods out was the best set up for me
I may try next time with 4 dipsey but I have / yet to buy 2 more
When fishing is good even 4 rods are a lot of work to keep in the water
I usually fish with 2 person in the boat and add time 3
My wife when she's with me gets tired of setting lines and bringing fish in so I fish 4 rods myself while she reads , now that's a definite cluster fudge
She helps out when gets stupid
On this picture the riggers aren't in use
leadcore at back and dipsey front of riggers

 

[tailfeathers]

I've ran 10 rods with ease . Just no quick turns so 2 leadcore per side on boards then a dipsey on a three setting a dipsey on 1 setting and 1 downrigger per side. Could run a second rigger pole but why risk it lol. Could run a few more if I ran the big boards more.

 

[hvyhaul]

And then there are days when one rod catches over 90% of the trip's catch. LOL



Here's my Strbd 3 dual axis, 2 rear in service. For a while I ran an Orca in the rail and then my desired price came in and I picked up the 5th & 6th Cannons.

I'm not a charter so I seldom run 6 and above. Five is more than enough and if things are working, keeping 4 wet can be challenging.

And what are you doing asking a fishing question this time of year?

 

[Fshrmn4life]

My current set up on each side with 36" tracks is 1 cannon dual axis, then a shorter Bert's tube followed up by a Cisco cradle which illuminates the need for different rod length. On the back is 2 Walker electrics with dual rod holders (not pictured) and in the spring I will be adding a pair of triple rod trees to rather just in front or just behind the console. Also have the option of adding cannon holders to my sport track or 1 salty per side on my downrigger mount.

 

[Teddy69]

I find most days the easiest set up is 6 rods
2- riggers
2- dipsy set on #3
2- lead core
If it’s a slow day I’ll let my planer board out and run 2 more lead core but most days 6 is plenty

 

[Centerspin]

You have long boom Scotties. I would replace a scotty rocket launcher closer to the bow with cannon 2axis ratchet rod holder and run a dipsy from it. This way a dipsy rod wont interfere with a downrigger rod/ cable on the turns and you have an option to to a differrent setup almost instantly if you want to. Also it is way better to deploy/ set the hook with this rod holder.. I would also add a cannon dual axis about 2ft towards bow from downrigger on each side and run inline planars from it. With dual axis you can turn one and run a flatline in the wash if you want to as well. I ve seen this exact setup on a 16ft and it works quite well. Personally I run no more then 5 rods and use cannon rod holders with a Scotty. I got a couple of Cisco's rocket launchers for the next season to try as well.

 

[Twister]

Add two in line planner boards with lead core and some long tracks. I run the inlines up at the front with tips high . Dipseys in middle pointed down and riggers out back. All on tracks so I can change my set up to suit the day.

 

[GPS]

I sent the wrong picture in post #3

 

[Fish Farmer]

1 Deeper Diver each side and run stackers on your Riggers gives you 6 rods and take turns, Your next up

 

[anonymoose]

I wouldn't run lead rods from your rigger rod holders. Put them up in front of your dipsey rods and use inline planers. You could also go with 4 dipseys (set on 1 and 3), but sometimes lead is effective enough to be worth reeling in all that line.

 

[Outdorman]

Geez, I have a harder time getting 4 rods out before something comes nibbling. I couldn’t imagine trying to wrangle any more than that when your trolling in the “herd”. My partner likes to hand hold the rod to actually feel the hit, it is quite a thrill over a holder When a big one hits….. just no napping though.

 

[noclass]

Twelve rods is the maximum on my boat for a bunch of reasons but I generally run 6 or 8. 4 dipseys, 2 downriggers and 2 longlines (lead or diving baits). Occasionally I will leave the riggers out and add more longlines on big boards or in-lines.

I am a huge huge fan of Rod Trees and Downeast Salty’s. Running the inside diver rod from a Salty and the outside diver from a ratcheting style holder allows me to have the same length diver rods but have the tips offset. Same with the Rod Trees, they just really help organize the spread and keep lines from getting crossed.

 

[Reel Therapy]

Here is how I run my 19.5'. No problem running 10+ rods just no sharp turns.

RT