Better Rod Holder?

jiminoc · Sep-06-2006, 08:06 PM

Just wondering which one you guys think is the better rod holder... This will be mounted on the engine cover. It will be used for trolling to I'm expecting it to need to withstand a big hit or two

the first one seems more stable because the load of the screws is distributed over a wider area.

then number two looks a little better but I'm not sure about strength because the screw mounts are so close.

opinions?

thanks

Bottom Line · Sep-06-2006, 08:17 PM

Here's the ones I prefer!

But if I have to choose from what you're showing I'd go with the round mount type - be sure to use fender washers on the inside of the engine cover to stop the nuts from pulling through.
The first ones look real 2nd rate IMO.

monster1 · Sep-07-2006, 02:15 AM

jim i would think seriously about mounting those rod holder on the engine compartment lid. i am thinking of a better way to store rods on my boat too without spending another $500+ on add on rocket launchers. but here is what i have found out. if you use your gunnel mounted rod holders for rod storage when you are fishing, the vertical rods are always in the way. second, when the rods are stored there to get to and from the fishing grounds and anywhere in between, they get soaked down back there with seawater anytime you hit a swell. as far as trolling with a screw mounted rod holder it might work out ok but your rods would basically be sticking straight up in the air. last december i was surfing ebay and found a place in costa mesa that sells add on rocket launcher assemblies that mount to your hardtop. i found them by searching "rocket launchers." i should have ordered them but i didn't. now i can't find them and i don't remember who was selling them. if anyone knows let me know.

monty

animal · Sep-07-2006, 11:23 AM

I would not trust either one of those to a "big" hit, I would keep looking as those look like "for rod storage only".

jiminoc · Sep-07-2006, 11:35 AM

yea you guys are probably right.
perhaps I can run a rope across the transom and tie off a rod in the middle. Just let it hang, with just ropes holding it while I troll a line down the middle of the boat. I don't have a hardtop so my options are becoming limited for getting a center line

tylerderdan · Sep-07-2006, 11:48 AM

Not a good idea.

Troy · Sep-07-2006, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monster1

. if you use your gunnel mounted rod holders for rod storage when you are fishing, the vertical rods are always in the way. second, when the rods are stored there to get to and from the fishing grounds and anywhere in between, they get soaked down back there with seawater anytime you hit a swell. monty

Agreed. My buddies walkaround has this set up and last time out with him he realized that the gunnel mounted rods were in the way constantly.

cvjarrod · Sep-07-2006, 01:20 PM

In Kona, all the boats we fished on had rotating gimbals so the rod could rotate freely and follow the fish or the lure when trolling. It keeps the rod pointing at the fish at all times during the strike and makes it alot easier to fight the fish from the rod holder.

Next time I'm installing trolling rod holders, I'll definitely go this direction. If you've ever lost a fish hitting the trollers at a right angle, you'll know exactly what I mean.