Rigging a Riffe

[Griswold]

Just got a Riffe MT3 and have a question regarding rigging. I plan to use 1-1/2 wraps of stainless cable with a quick disconnect clip. Should I remove the 5" Bungie - Pigtail Swivel? I don't want it if it is likely to break, but the bungie makes reloading the cable easier so I would prefer to keep it.

Thanks for the help.

[Cubera Head]

Don't use the Riffe pigtail, it will break on the rigs. Use a piece of band rubber and 3/32 stainless cable (or whatever your shooting line is, and make your own.

[LASeaCat]

Loose the bungie. The cable will give some as it wraps around the rear stay. When stringing up the gun, wrap the cable and connect the loop at the front (riding rig or not). After that, then flip the cable over the front stay (left of the muzzle).

[David B]

Keep the Riffe Bungie. There is 1000lb parachute cord in the center and it won't part. I doubt any fish will rap your gun muzzle around structure which would cause the bungie to part.

[LASeaCat]

Griswold,

Didn't change my mind about the bunge for your riding rig however after free diving last weekend I found that you could use it when rigging your gun for Free diving. Don't distroy it or throw it away!! They cost about $10.

[Griswold]

Thanks for the info, I am rigging a riding rig for rig diving (say that 5 times fast). I see the widsom of not putting myself in the position of having to unclip something from the front of the gun, while being drug through the rig.

SeaCat,

Can you post pictures of your freediving setup?

[LASeaCat]

Griswold,

Don't have one set up at the time (low on shafts) however I am sure someone does? However, you rig it basically the same as a riding rig except don't loop it at the front of the gun. Just wrap the line and run it to the back of the gun. The end of the line is connected to the bungie (with an added loop to help dislodge the bunie if needed.). The bungie would be pulled into the hole on the gun. This keeps the line tight. The float line would be attached here as well. From what I know, you can use high strength mono or small cable for Free Diving.

Hopefully someone out there can help you further......

[Griswold]

What kind of floats do you use? How many? How do the logistics work? Does the float go tearing off and you follow in the boat if necessary?

One more dumb question - Has anyone tried titanium cable for rig diving? It is great leader material, and doesn't have that annoying habit of sticking in you hand after it's been through a few battles.

[LASeaCat]

Griswold,

I have been researching this issue for weeks now. This is what I think I know.....

If you will be using them for travel, inflatible is the option. Riffe, OMER, Aimrite? You must take care with these to prevent popping them!

Myself, I probably won't be traveling with them so I am opting to use some type of device filled with foam. Orange boat buoys filled with high density foam was a thought! Then I found a foam buoy on a web site I found in the Hawaiian Skin Diver magazine. I will send the link when I get on my home computer. This float looks like it would work well and sells for $48. This seems like a bargain to me.

Not sure what I will use for line yet. I may purchase the Riffe stuff?

later.........

[Griswold]

LASea,

I just received a gun from Daryl Wong for my sister. He is going to be shooting tuna with Sheri this week in Costa Rica. Maybe she'll give us some details of what she's learn since her last trip.

[LSUBigL]

Couldn't you make a homemade float with like a plastic 6 gallon gas can or something similar? They selll for 5 bucks at Wal-mart and would be in line with the "Louisiana way" of doing things.

[LASeaCat]

Griswold,

I would like to hear details of that trip.

LSUBigl,

The size and shape of the buoy is very important. You have to have the correct amount of resistance on the fish as to not have them rip apart or pull out. The buoy, line, bungie combo can be changed for different fishing environments. I am not certain what to use when, however you should be very careful to make a homemade buoy as stream line as possible as you will be towing it around behind you. Sometimes against the current! An orange boat bumper and a can of foam with hardware can cost upwards of $30. If I can get a rigid buoy for $48 with a flag and hardware, I think that is what I am going to do.

As far as line, the guys I was with used different set ups. One had two buoys connected to 100 ft. of bungie and 100 ft. of line (Riffe). The other had one buoy and 100 ft. of line. There weren't many Tuna around to see what worked best?

Jan/Feb/Mar timeframe I plan to get out to the lumps! I hope to know a lot more after that!