Fishing boat related, Where to mount rod holder? ( added more info)

Huntindave McCann

Well-known member
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Hey there everyone,

I'm going to mount some fishing rod holders in my boat and need some feedback.

I'll be mounting a total of six brackets with five of them being located in position (A) as shown in my drawing. Three of these will be along the starboard gunnel and two along the port gunnel. Two ( one each side)will be near the bow, two (one each side)will be midship and two near the stern for me, the driver (tiller steer).

The question I'm faced with is the mounting position for the last bracket, on the port side, near the stern for the driver. Do I put it at (A) where it matches the rest of the brackets but is out of reach for the driver?

OR

Do I put it on the interior sidewall, in position (B) where the driver can reach it with out leaving his seat?

rodholder.jpg


And don't just say "Put it where you want it" Ya I know thats all that really matters but,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I still want your responses.

Boat overhead view;
1700FH_Tiller.jpg holder.jpg

This is the rod holder I'll be using. Plan to mount as shown in the left hand illustration. Will be using these for flatline trolling crankbaits.


Thanks
 
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I don't know the lay out of the bottom of your boat Dave, but do you have a seat holder near where the driver sits. If there is one near the drivers seat. put a pole with a rod holder on top about three foot high. It would be nice for the driver just to reach over and grab it. The pole could even be higher. I know some of the seat holders are flush with the floor. When traveling just take the pole out of the holder.

I know your a good fisherman Dave. Good fishermen only need one rod. hee hee
 
If you use flush mounts they can be a pain if you need clearance like a long handled rod. I drilled holes in my LUND and I'm over it. I've also drilled lots of holes in Hyde drift boats and Clackacrafts.

If you're driving you need to have easy access to the rod in question. I'd try to figure out a way to have easier access to that particular holder. You never know what situation you'll be in ..... traffic, waves, wind, shoreline...the last thing you need to do is lean over and change the direction of the boat by mistake and tangle your lines or worse. I'm all about asymetry. Make the rig work for you not the other way around.

Just make sure you have clearance for the butt of the rod, the reel and reel handle and be sure to allow for spinning reels and baticasters if you're going to use them. And, make adjusments on the angle so it won't be restricted. You could 5200 some plywood or a chunk of 2x4 that you paint to match the interior and mount the bases on those. I've done it and it works fine. When you pull them off the 5200 will take some of the zolotone or paint off the boat though but at least you won't have holes.
 
Thanks for all the input.

I'm not opposed to drilling holes so mounting most of them to the inside surface of the gunnels is no problem. I'll use rivnuts rather than sheet metal screws. I don't like flush mounts because of the big hole one has to drill in the surface they mount to. In this case, mounting to the gunnels, I would be concerned about compromising the strength of the gunnel.

Cabelas offers an extended (vertically) holder which if mounted at position (B), will bring the rod itself up to near the same level as the rest of the rods. I may have to go this route.

I'm right with you Jay as far as being able to safely control the boat while having access to the rod. That was why I was willing to sacrifice the cosmetics of having them all mounted along the gunnel. Besides which, having to get out of the drivers seat to reach the rod would make for a long fishing day. (as I plan to have to access the rod often. hehe)
 
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