Flush mount rod holders

[WP]

I am considering flush moubnt rod holders for my aluminum boat. What do I need to be cautious of and what are the things to look for in the hardware? What am I not asking about that is important? Any help would be appreciated. I generally run 2-4 rods on salmon and three stand-ups for Tuna. I run two lines from down riggers (no stackers for me, I hate the tangles) and, if applicable, two from divers. I currently have two Scotty's on the back and two side mounted cheapies on the sides. I have the downriggers on the rear portion of the sides and they have tube holders (which I don't trust!) I am open to ideas and cautions! Thanks in advance.
WP
[img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] :grin:

[Miss B Haven]

Weird- don't know how I got a "partial" duplicate post! [img]graemlins/stupid.gif[/img] :whazzup:

[ 04-14-2003, 07:46 AM: Message edited by: Miss B Haven ]

[Miss B Haven]

All stainless - none of that chrome plated brass or zinc stuff uless you like geen and white corrosion spots. The other thing- get the kind that you can replace the rubber cover (stopper/top- whatever) without replacing the entire rubber tube/insert.
I've had both, the little flaps/keeper that hold the cover eventually break. One brand had that as part of the gasket, another it's part of the entire rubber tube that fits inside. Cheaper and easier to replace the gasket type.
PS- you may not need or care about the cover at all. If the rod holder ends up in an internal compartment where you don't want water dripping every time it rains though- you want them. I guess a big cork would work! :grin:
PSS - it takes a BIG hole to put them in. Since the tubes are angled the hole either has to be drilled on an angle (ya- ever try that?) or you have to drill a hole and then hog/file it out to account for the angle. Watch out where the bottom end will end up. It's a real bear to get it all drilled/filled out and find that the end on that angle hits something down below. [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img] Don't ask me how I know this! :blush:

[Master Baiter]

I am dealing with this very thing now, the one issue I have come across is the ID (inner dia) I have one rod that is just a CH too big for the ones I got so check your rods before you purchase!

[WP]

Thanks for the feedback folks...I do appreciate it. Any other interesting things to watch out for? I need to make the decision and install before Tuna time.
WP

[Miss B Haven]

Just that your need a nice wide gunnel to mount them WP. I would guess that your gunnel would be 1/4 inch thick alum, if not tthink about backing plates. You'll need to through bolt as opposed to screws I would guess as well (not much thread strength in the alum). That means you'll have to be able to get to the backside of the gunnel as well.

You sure you don't want to just use those plastic rod holders? I hear it's a ggreat way to attract Bill to hit your favorite rod and reel! :grin:

[fishwhenican]

WP Just how many rod holders can you mount on a 20' boat?

I'm looking at where I can mount the PVC "outriggers" and still run 4 rods, 2 on Z-Wings, 2 on outriggers, without adding 2 more rod holders.

[Orca]

I've got 8 for rods, 2 for nets.

[WP]

I am installing an arch that will hold two nets and have rocket tibes for spare rods. My plan is to replace the two rod holders on the side for tuna and for the downriggers, with flush mounts and retain the two rod holders across the back (run beside the engine) one for tuna and two for divers for salmon trolling or river salmon anchor or sturgeon fishing. The total will be 4 rod holders but my hope is they will be stronger and less intrusive. I have not thought too much about out riggers...maybe I should. It would not be hard to run them off the side of the arch. The flush mounts could be used for that too but get a better spread??? I don't plan to ever run more than 4 rods in the water at once. For tuna actually 3 stand-ups and 4 hand lines....but I could be convinced otherwise!
WP

[WP]

Orca,
How do you configure 8 rod holders? That seems like a ton!
WP
:whazzup: :grin:

[Orca]

WP,

When I got the boat, it had 2 flush mounts on each side, with the rear 2 headed straight back, and the other 2 angled out at about maybe 25 degrees. I then mounted a couple of removeable holders behind the forward flush mounts, and a couple more on the rear rail towards the middle of the boat. All the removeable holders can be adjusted for various angles, making for a lot of flexibility to increase the spread to minimize tangles when trolling 3, 4, or 5 rods. If the drift is bad side to side, poles can be more easily spread to one side of the boat or the other.

Having lots of holders is nice for moving rods around when you have 1 or more fish on, and the added removeable holders come out and get stowed when not needed.

Also, I forgot that the manual Scotty downriggers also have a holder attached to the boom, so if I were using them I could have up to 10 holders available for use. I have most likely acheived some overkill here, but I can put my rod down about anywhere I feel like (I can see the jokes coming already).

[Popeye]

WP...Check this site out. I probably would have gone this route if I hadn't just drilled four flushmounts when I found this
http://www.pursuitsports.com/index.html

[Orca]

I,m with Popeye, and just recently discovered the track systems. I was thinking about placing a row of them on the wheelhouse, but I decided I have enough already! Cabelas has a couple different track systems also, but I ended up getting the single Ram Holders to put on the side of the wheelhouse to hold the nets. They are inexpensive and infinitely adjustable.

[Miss B Haven]

Those swivel base rod holders scare me. :shocked: Not without safety ropes, no way! [img]graemlins/stupid.gif[/img]

[Popeye]

Mel...I wasn't referring to the swivel mounts...The stationary mounts are what I was looking at, 'sides...I always have a safety lanyard on my big sticks :grin:

[Miss B Haven]

Popey- gotcha! I just saw the picture and thought this was a rendition of before and after Bill hits and the yellow po goes bye bye: :shocked: