Ideas for rod holders?

[smythley]

Looking for ideas for rod holders for running downlines. I've got 4 of the upright flushmount perkos in the gunwales. I know I could get the drift master mounts and screw them down, but was hoping for something a little cleaner. Don't really want to drill a ton of holes. Any other options? I have seen some holders that have a rod that drops down into the upright rod holder that then holds the rod parallel to the water. Also, thought I saw some that attached to a cleat? Anybody seen these? Are there other options?

[fishhook]

Driftmaster is the only one I prefer. Duo let you fish planers or downlines without changing anything, and they are strong.

Fishhook

[mwardncsu]

What's wrong with drilling holes? They get a lot easier after the 1st one or 10




I like the Cabela QuickDraw's and if you do catch one on a dock and pop off a hinge or something, Cabela's warranty will stand behind it. I also like being able to use the flush mount and take the rod holders off when out for a day with the family to have a clean gunnel. use the round flush mounts - you drill one large hole and it has a "nut" that screws on from under the gunnel - no screws, but you have that one larger hole. The other mounts use 4 screw/bolts to secure the base - one type is also flush mount which requires a large hole for the holder to drop into, and the other sits up above the gunnel.

I will agree that the Driftmasters are tough and you can use them for down & planer rods - adjustable from a left-right perspective and if you get the heavier ones there is not too much that will hurt them. However, you still have the screw holes to deal with, and once on the boat they are pretty much there.

If you want less holes, there are some options where you can mount three rod holders on a single mount (with the Scotty / Cabellas QuickDraw type mounts).

I've also seen these "track" systems where you mount a track on the gunnel and then rod holders (or other mounts/accessories) clip into the track so you can move/adjust/remove them as needed - probably uses a couple less holes in the gunnel.

If you have a few "trolling" rod holders in the gunnels already, then here is an option - a track that drops into the gunnel trolling rod holder and you can mount several rod holders to it.
www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cannon-side-gunwale-gimbal-mount.aspx?a=542517


There are these - V-Lock - www.v-lock.com/ I think you'd end up with as many holes in the boat this way as well.

[smythley]

Thanks guys!

Mward, any chance you could snap a picture of what just the flush mounts look like installed on the gunwales?

[mwardncsu]

I don't have a good close-up, but here is one of the mount (not on a gunnel, but you can envision it)



Here is another that shows it with the rod-holder on the gunnel



This one a small pic, but it is the rectangular one used when you can't get access below and have to screw it in.

[mwardncsu]

This is about the best I can find of them on the boat without rod holders in them.....


If it stops raining today long enough I'll try and run down and snap a better pic before I head home.

[smythley]

Thanks a ton. Sure is a pretty boat!

[mwardncsu]

Thanks

The rain stopped so I was able to go down and grab a few pics.








Scotty also makes these Gimbal mounts that drop into the gimbal rod holders and take their rod-holders like the QuickDraw or the "classis" style. The only thing I've found with them is that they don't grip real tight in the holder - they won't come out when a fish hits, but when you pick up the rod sometimes the mount will pull up and swing around.... could probably fix it with a few wraps of electrical tape on the mount to make it fit more snugly in my gimbal rod holders......

[smythley]

Those look good. I may have to check out the gimbal mounts too though.

That leaning post is great! I eventually want to have one like that over my bait tank. You have yours custom built?

[mwardncsu]

Yep - Modlin's Welding in Farmville, NC (near Greenville) - did my T-top as well - Keith and his guys do great work at fair & reasonable prices.

[smythley]

Modlins is who did my Ttop as well. I first saw the folding leaning post on his site, sometime I'd love to catch up with you on the lake and check out how your boat is rigged, and talk NCSU sports

[lund1]

Mike...really great info...thanks.

[mwardncsu]

Smythley - should do - just hope there is something positive to talk about come football season sure hated to see the boys have to come home today from Ohmaha vs sending the Tarheels packing.

Keith and I cooked up that leaning post idea. I had a good idea of how I need to lay out but was thinking about other options on the pivot. He came up with the simple and elegant "hinge" design and holding it with nylon web straps and its worked great.

[smythley]

It would have been OK for anybody else to send NCSU home, just not Carolina. Sure did hurt my feelings. I hope they do well this fall. It's time to have a good year.
As far as boat upgrades, I'm leaning towards to rod holders like yours. I will get a leaning post sometime, but have a couple things to do first, like the side scan...Seems silly to think about spending even more $ on this when I'm getting skunked every day! But I sure am having fun. And will learn a ton as I go.

[mytoyzfishing]

I personally use Driftmasters Duo. If you go that route make sure you get the pro's as they are wider and will allow you to handle a more wide range of grip sizes. I didnt think of that when I bought mine and baught the smaller inside diameter ones and when I built some new rods I went with a bigger grip since it was more comfortable for me. Well they bigger grip didnt fit that great in the smaller driftmasters. Just make sure you get the pro versions. They also make a trolling bar that slides into the flush mount rodholders so you dont have to drill any holes for mounts.