For the guys that have advised me on how to set up my 270 Outrage and how often I’ll be able to use it.
Stayed up til 3am Saturday trying to finish the electronics then woke up at 7:30 to tidy the wires up and rig the outriggers finally finished at 11:30am and splashed the boat @ 1:15pm.
Dropped lines about 1 mile shy of comanche around 3, had 4 lines in and in the process of letting out the dredge when the port outrigger went off then five seconds later the flat line went off. Double hookup on a pair of 20lb bulls. The boss and her nephew were with me so my crew was extremely green. after hooking the fish, I passed the rods off to each of them, aimed the boat and started to clear lines when at the same time both crew members are screaming for help. The only thing I could think of was to put the rods in the rod holders and have them just keep reeling. Good plan for one, big mistake for the other. My nephew accidently hit the lever down to freespool and all I hear is zinggggggggg. By the time i secure the dredge and get to it, the bull was about 200 yards out and I had another 150 yards of line in the form of a birds nest in the reel. Both anglers finally said they can’t reel anymore and sat down with fish on the lines and one nightmare reel. I did manage to land both fish but it was not a pretty fire drill for me. Put fish in the box cleared all lines secured everything and headed in. 15 minutes of trolling, and what seemed like an eternity of reeling a pair of dolphin by myself and 40 lbs of meat.
All in all, a great maiden trip. The MELLEN brings up fish!!!
Funniest part of the day, The boss was letting me off to get the truck and as I was stepping off the swim platform onto the dock I (must have said in a way to scare her) said put it in forward and boy did she. Splash, right in the drink. ■■■■ lucky those Verados didnt eat me up. She did load the boat first try like a champ.
Thanks to all for the advise. All the info I gained from people here seems to have paid off.
Whaler 270 Outrage w twin 225