TACO Grand Slam 280 Outrigger Mounts with Offset Handle, Pair

The TACO Marine Grand Slam 280 (model GS-2801) is the fourth-generation top mount in the line that has been the industry-standard outrigger mount for offshore center consoles for decades. Sold as a pair, designed for 20 to 36 foot fishing boats, with the 30-degree offset handle for clearance under a T-top, the spline-lock head technology that has replaced the older friction-lock designs, 12 distinct locking positions that cover the full range from full-deploy to full-stow, and the 316 stainless steel arm assembly with brushed anodized aluminum body that has been the TACO build standard for years.

What this mount actually does. Outriggers extend the trolling pattern out and away from the boat to spread baits laterally and prevent line tangles when running multiple rods. The mount is the hardware that bolts to the T-top or hardtop, holds the outrigger pole, lets you raise and lower the pole between trolling and stowed positions, and locks the pole at the chosen angle while you fish. The Grand Slam 280 is the high-end purpose-built mount for serious offshore tournament fishing where the outriggers need to come up and down quickly between baits and need to hold position absolutely solid in chop.

The 30-degree offset handle is the difference between this and the GS-2800 (the no-offset variant). Under a T-top, a straight handle on a top mount sits directly under the T-top fabric or hardtop, which means you can't reach it without bending awkwardly or removing the canopy. The 30-degree offset rotates the handle outward so it clears the T-top edge and falls naturally to hand. If you've ever fought to reach a straight handle through a T-top opening, you understand why offset matters. For boats with no T-top or with a hardtop high enough to clear, the GS-2800 (no offset) is the alternative. For the typical center console with a T-top, the GS-2801 offset is the right choice.

Spline-lock technology in the locking head is the upgrade in the fourth-generation Grand Slam. Older outrigger mounts used friction locks that gradually loosen with use and need adjustment over time. Spline-lock provides a positive mechanical lock with minimal moving parts. The mechanism uses internal splines that engage at each locking position, so the head can't slip even under sustained load from a heavy outrigger pole at full extension running into chop. Higher reliability, longer service life, less adjustment required.

12 locking positions cover the practical outrigger angles. Fully deployed for full-spread tournament trolling. Mid-deployed for tight-pattern bait fishing. Quarter-deployed for kite-style trolling on rough days when full deployment puts the kite too far out. Stowed up vertical for running. Stowed inboard for storage and trailering. The 12 detents give you fine control over the angle without infinite adjustment hassle.

316 stainless steel arm assembly is the right material for offshore tournament use. 316 grade has the molybdenum content needed for chloride resistance in saltwater service, which means it won't pit or stain over years of saltwater exposure. The lever is the same 316 stainless with polished finish for both corrosion resistance and the clean look that complements the rest of the helm hardware on a quality center console. The brushed anodized aluminum body provides the structural strength at lower weight than an all-stainless construction, with the brushed finish that hides minor scratches better than polished.

The 4 inch by 6 inch mounting base is sized to spread the load on a hardtop or T-top sufficient for the cantilever loads that a long outrigger pole generates. Mounts to the industry-standard TACO Outrigger-Ready Mounting Plate, which most quality boat builders pre-install on the T-top frame. For boats without the pre-installed plate, TACO Clamp-On Mounting Plates are the aftermarket retrofit. Designed for hardtops up to 2.5 inches thick, which covers virtually every common T-top and hardtop construction.

Pole compatibility. Designed for TACO 1.5 inch heavy-duty Telescoping TeleOutriggers (the most common pole size in the segment). Also compatible with TACO 1.5 inch standard Tele-Outrigger poles and 1.125 inch Tele-Outrigger poles. The mount accepts the standard TACO outrigger pole base diameter, which is the de-facto industry standard size. Match the pole length to your boat: 15 foot poles for boats up to about 26 feet, 18 foot poles for 26 to 30 feet, 20 to 22 foot poles for larger boats wanting more spread.

The locking head allows for horizontal rotation from under the T-top, which means you can angle the pole's lateral position without having to climb on top of the canopy to make the adjustment. Useful for fine-tuning the trolling pattern based on boat speed and sea conditions, and for getting the poles into a specific angle for stowage in tight slip configurations.

What this mount isn't. It is not a clamp-on outrigger holder for casual installation (those are the lower-end TACO Sport Series mounts). It is not a side-mount or rail-mount outrigger holder. It is the high-end top-mount fourth-generation Grand Slam, which is what most production center console builders factory-install on serious fishing boats and what most owners upgrade to when their original mounts wear out.