opinions on rod holders for boats

[Taildragger]

My friend just bought a brand new 17 ft arima,and we need to mount some rod holders for the upcoming springer season. So what brands seem to work the best and have proven reliable? Also are there any that have a quick release option so you can take them off when not in use? Thanks for your help!

[Troller]

I put fish on pole holders on my boat and havent had any issues. They come with a mount and then you slide the holder portion into a hole with grooves pointed in the position you want them. They come in various styles and depending on the the size of fish your after. Some are made more for trout and some for salmon or larger fish.

[blacktail]

Scotty.

[TundraIII]

I have Scotty's. Have had not one single problem with them. Completely adjustable and easy to remove and store when not in use. Inexpensive too, I think they are under 25 bucks each with mounting hardware. 4+ yrs with no cracks or broken mounts.

[Pickles]

SCOTTY

[greenbuttskunk]

scotty's all the way. I just boat 4 for the new boat and love them. 11.99 each at GI joes.
for some reason fishermans are like 16.99?

[TheRogue]

IMHO, the FishOn ones are sturdier than the Scotty brand, unless you bump up to the stainless long-arm model, which are pretty sweet, but spendy.

TR

[treegolfer]

I have been using SCOTTYS for a number of years and have had no problems. Used to use FishOns back in the old days (70s) and had troubles with them breaking. The expensive ($30) Scotty with the stainless loop are tough to beat.

treegolfer

[Small Fry]

I have Fish On now but I think as I replace or add any I'm going to try the Scottys. The Fish On base mounts are ok but, I had a few scares when a fish hits hard the the holder flattens out.

[Silver Hilton]

I have the scotties as well. The fish-on's can flatten on a big fish, which can cause heart palpitation issues.

[Dinikin]

If anyone is not happy with Fishon rod holders let me know, I need 2.
I also have 2 Scotty which are nice.
I set the drag on the reel relatively loose so the fish can take some line out, and it also helps to get the rod out whet it is gets burried.

[GutZ]

One of the things I have done with my Fish-On holders is to remove the nut from the black knob thing. Get a washer and reinstall the nut using a socket wrench. Crank that sucker down. You have to back the nut off to adjust them up or down but they will no longer flatten out on BIG hits.

[Small Fry]

GutZ can give somemore information / detail on how you fixed yours? Sounds a whole lot cheaper.

[Private-Aye-Fish]

I like Scottt products they make a great downrigger I own a couple. Fishon makes a good pole holder. I like and currently use and have used with out breakage Down-East Sportscraft, Inc. rod holders.

No plastic parts to break at the wrong time. They won't flatten out on a hard strike. I'm using three Downeast D-10's on my aluminum boat and used D-11's sidemounted on the glass boat.

Downeast Sportcraft Inc.

[GutZ]

On the side of the Fish-On holder there is a black slotted piece of plastic. Remove this piece of plastic. Encased in the plastic is a nut. Get the nut out of the plastic. Find an approprite size washer. Put it over bolt. Put nut back on and crank that sucker down with a socket. This will lock the Holder in that position. Keep socket handy to adjust up/down on the holder.

Wolah!

[ 01-27-2004, 01:51 PM: Message edited by: GutZ ]

[Full Throttle]

Scotty! Have owned both and prefer the Scotty product.

[The Overfishin Condition]

I have only had fish-on holders, but never had any problems. Personally, I think it's awesome if they flatten out, cause your probably not going to lose a rod that way. In Alaska, we could only grab our rod once the holder flattened and the rod slammed the back of the boat, wait, wait, wait. It's probably 6 one half dozen the other.

[YaHoeeFishOn]

I have used Fish-on rod holder on my last 2 boats. I did have to tight'n nut on a couple to get the cam lock to tight'n hard. I also flipped the collar locks so I have 2 lefts and 2 rights. I used handrail mounts on my privious boat. On my new boat, I used 2 suface mounts on side rails and 2 side mounts to side of the dog house. I also mounted the pole holders so there my Attenna's fit in rode holders for when there down for trailering . I did loose 1 collar on one when a Bouy10 hit took rod tip to water and my brother who doesn't fish went for pole and forgot to twist the collar first in his panic.

[ 01-29-2004, 01:36 PM: Message edited by: YaHoeeFishOn ]

[YaHoeeFishOn]

They all remove from mounts by turning them so there facing inside boat and lift out. The mounts can be done , to rails , side , or flush . My only leson on surface mount was glass was alot thicker than I thought so it had to be placed in from edge so the bolts and washers had a flat inside surface to tight'n against. I also didn't release that my canvas down storage bin was in the way of the rod butts while fish'n . I used stainless aircraft nuts , bolts, washers and screws to mount them .
Wait for sportsman show next week to buy . They normally go on sale for $14 ? during the shows .

[ 01-27-2004, 03:46 PM: Message edited by: YaHoeeFishOn ]

[DriftR]

Scotty's. You won't be sorry.

[STRIKE ZONE]

I've alway's used the fish on's in the past,but was talked into getting some scotty's for the new willie drift boat.This person said the scotty's won't fold down when hit hard.I installed them and they worked fine but are really hard to get out to adjust,so hard that I said screw it I'm goin back to fish on and did so this weekend.What a big differance it was to adjust the angle of the holder.I'll save the scotty's for the new sled this summer.So her's what I say.
Trolling go scotty's
Pulling plug's in the drift boat go with fish on's.
Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

[Small Fry]

Thanks GutZ

[salmurai]

Which ever one you choose, don't forget the safety strap! Unless you like waving bye bye to your rod and reel.

[Taildragger]

Thanks guys for all your help!

[ET]

I love my Quick Draw rod holders from Cabela's. I like them much better than the Scotty's.

[crabbait]

I went with the Scotty's model 240 (with the stainless arms). Yes, they cost about $30 apiece but the features make them well worth the extra bucks.

You can set the hook and lift the rod out of the holder instead of fighting the rod to get it out of the holders with the other models. They are nearly indestructable (won't break off when the TUNA hit). Rotate the locking collar at the end of the arms and your rod will stay with the holder.

When your Loomis/Calcutta are sitting in the holder you will feel much more secure (or your Berkeley/Abu Garcia). Either way, you could outfit the whole boat with the good ones for the price of one rod/reel replacement.

[ 01-27-2004, 07:00 PM: Message edited by: crabbait ]

[fishnpray]

You know, I've always heard that the Swedish Bikinni team make good rod holders... Though a bit distracting...might need some of those Meldrum bells for when you get a bite.

-Luis

[Bluebird]

Scotty's Rock!

I recommend the Extension piece as well to put the rods up in the air a little for less knee bumps and a much better view.

[eyeFISH]

FishOn holders are OK for the side-rigger rods... the "flattening" problem is not an issue on the side-facing rods.

It's a whole 'nother story when it comes to the rear-facing rods. I have had the FishOn's flatten when a big Kenai king hits one of the rear rods... even when the nut is cranked down to the max. Makes a nasty sound everytime the rod smacks the transom, too. Good way to break a rod or weaken it enough to break during the fight.

Bought two new Scotty's to replace the rear rod holders.

[ 01-27-2004, 08:07 PM: Message edited by: eyeFISH ]

[Hanapa'a Time]

Used Fish-Ons on previous boats, liked the one piece/fixed angle spinning rod style for heavy use.
Went with Scottys on this boat and really like the Striker series holders for large foam handled rods like the Tiger Sticks.
Both brands adjustable holders are a bit snug with the foam handles for my liking.

[Mrdorkfish]

I use Scotty. Ask for it by name :grin: Very adjustable and durable. Oh..and if you can take your eyes off those beautiful Honda's...look at the Scotty in the backround. :tongue:



MrDorkfish [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

Some guy named Louis

[ 01-27-2004, 09:19 PM: Message edited by: Mrdorkfish ]

[ICHTHYDEMON]

I have a couple Scottys,Fish-On,and Cabelas. I think the Cabelas are made by Scotty,they sure look the same. All three of the brands I have work great.

[Reel Premier]

Fish On holders are pretty good, but like Small Fry and Silver Hilton, I have had the Fish On holders flatten out on big Chinook takedowns. I have since bought some Scotty's and they haven't dissappointed me yet. The section where the rod holder screws to the base is much more groved and will resist flattening under a huge hit. Hope this helps. :smile:

[Skipper]

I originally installed Fish-On holders on my new 2000 19ft Harbercraft. The first season, while trolling Buoy 10 using delta divers the Fish-On could not hold the pole in an "up" position.

A friend showed me how the Scotty's holders have a cog vs. cam and are much stronger.

I removed all of the Fish-On holders, and installed Scotty's. :smile:

Cheerio'
Jim Voges

[ORpoke]

Atwood...they will hold a casting or spinning rod.

[TH]

I too went through this a month or so ago.. and decided on the stainless arm Scotty rod holders. I picked up six at Fisherman's for $28 each jsut before the holidays.

they are a liitle more expensive, but I think the added strength is worth it! Plus I really like how my boat rods sit in the Scotty's!

[blubeast]

Have been using some Fish On holders for years. This past summer several Salty Dogs had their holders break off during a hard hit.... so... just installed two flush mount stainless steel rod holders into my boat's sides.

Got em for $20 each... very heavy duty with black caps and liners. Look great - same as oem on high priced boats. Email me if you'd like the source.

[steelheadslayer]

Scotty Stryker [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] , you won't regret the added expense.

[Best Fishes]

If you need to raise your rod holder up higher in a drift boat...Fish On now has extenstions that work well and are reasonable in price (2 for $11).
I am buying a new rod holder this week RAM (see Cabelas) which are very adjustable and made in Seattle. These look great!

Best Fishes

[Pitch Pocket]

I dumped the fish-on's years ago. They just don't hold up to a big fish. When they do go, it strips the locking mechanism. It got so bad, they wouldn't hold a rod up with a Delta Diver on them at B10. Swapped them out for Scotty and will never go back. The locking mechanism is far more secure.