Rail Mount rod holders

Denali · 08-20-2001, 10:13 AM

Purchased some "fish on" rod holders with rail mount adapters to mount on my boat. Come to find out my rails are wider/thicker then the adapters fit. Do they sell larger adapters? Anyone else run into this? Suggestions? This is on a 20ft. Duckworth Pacific Silverwing. Any help is appreciated.

Beer Waggin · 08-20-2001, 10:30 AM

One of my buds has these on his NorthRiver and I think they suck. He is constantly tightening the bolts down. Nothing like having a fish hit and the whole thing swivels down putting your rod tip in the water. I see a lot of them installed so someone must have figured out how to cure this issue. It's not my boat and I rarely fish out of his, so I've never given it to much thought.

WaterDog · 08-20-2001, 10:30 AM

The Scotty rail adaptors should work fine and they will fit the fish-on holders. Been there done that. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

edit: make sure you put the nuts and bolts on in the right direction. if you don't they will slip as noted above. Been there done that too. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[ 08-20-2001: Message edited by: WaterDog ]

HOGTIDE · 08-20-2001, 03:56 PM

Try wrapping the rail with about 3 layers of clear plastic wrap and then bolting the mounts over. Apply even pressure when tightening the nuts. Use the same method you would on wheel lugs, rotating from side to side. Use a razor blade to slice off the plastic hanging beyond the edges of the bracket.... this should work [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

wetaline · 08-20-2001, 04:23 PM

Have a North River� w/ rails and fish-on rod holders..

Use 3 layers Duct Tape strips (about half the width) wrapped at an angle and then a layer of sticky back sandpaper like tape or any course tape.... make sure you wrap it tight and outside - inwards. and tighten bolts evenly....

It�s held up to oversize fishing w/ shad below Bonneville and deep 6 divers at buoy 10

finclipped · 08-20-2001, 11:31 PM

I have the same problem with the rail mounts slipping. Then when I tighten them down, they break. The Scotty's are better than the fish-on, but they both slip. I am going to try wrapping some black tape on the rail, to see if it holds better. Any one else have an idea of how to prevent slipping?

Bobberdown · 08-20-2001, 11:37 PM

My Scotty rod hoders do not slip a bit. The Scotty rod hoders are cheaper and lock in place so when the big one hammers it, it wont give way like the fish on holders do. I have had both and prefer the Scotty holders. Plus the Cabellas quick draw holders will work the the scotty mounts. The quick draw rod holders are great for fishing wobblers when you need to get on the fish in a hurry.

blackdog · 08-20-2001, 11:52 PM

Have FishOn rodholders in my boat and have never had a problem with them trolling in normal conditions before. However, combine the raging tide and the chop and swells of buoy 10 and I'm ready to throw them out now. One particular rod positioned to fish out the side of the boat was the worst as wouldn't keep its angle any time we encountered a bigger wave that would put any extra strain on the rod. The thing would give way and end up pointing straight back and into the water. Others had the same problem throughout the day as well. Wondering what my best options would be for replacing what now seems to be crappy equipment.

Backlash2 · 08-21-2001, 08:17 AM

My Wooldridge has one inch rails, the Fish-on brackets are molded for 3/4 inch rails. I returned the rail adapters and got my money back. I then purchased one inch stainless U-bolts, and used these to fasten the brackets to my rails. Haven't had a problem yet, even with monster gators trying to rip the transom off of the boat...

Rubber Robin · 08-21-2001, 12:00 PM

Denali:

I too have a 20' Duckworth that I put "Fish On" rod holders on the rail using the rail mount brackets. I encountered the same problem that you had. The rails were on the large size. What I did was to boil a pan of water, take it off the stove and throw the rail mounts in for 5 to 10 minutes. This allowed the plastic to expand and become more pliable. I was then able to force them on and put the nuts and bolts together and tighten them down. I have never had any problem with slipping. They are on to stay and will not move!!!! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Denali · 08-21-2001, 12:26 PM

Thanks for the tips suggestions etc. Always fun rigging a new boat. Many creative ways to solve this puzzle. I figured the rod holders to be the easy part but hit the brick wall right away. Transducers,radios, and gas lines next up.

Thanks