Tag Line

1. A tag line is a line which is attached to the halyardnear the release clip on the outrigger.Tag lines are usually of the same material as the outrigger halyardwith a short trace of braided line at the free end. The maximum lengthshould not be more than the distance between the outrigger tipand the corner of the transom when hanging free.A rubber band is twisted around the trolling lineand then attached to the free end of the tag line.
2. On strike, the rubber band snaps and the trolling line straightensbetween the rod tip and the hooked fish.
   Because of the greatly changed angle between the boat and the release clip(now the rubber band), this technique minimizes the drop back, and therefore doesn´tgive the fish much time to spit the hook out before the drag on the reel sets it tight.
3. For easy retrieval of the tag line after a strike, many boats now usea metal ring or short tube on the outrigger halyard.The weight from the ring makes it slide down the halyardto the side of the boat, then there is no tension on the tag line.When the trolling line again is attached with the rubber band to the tag line,the pull from the lure will lift the ring to the tip of the outrigger and spread the lures.