View Full Version : quick downrigger mounts
Has anyone tried the gimble mount for their downriggers.Ive seen the one for big jons that fit in the recessed rod holders for quick removal.Im wondering if its stable or wobbly.I am looking for something quick so I dont have to fiddle with all the screws and such every time I decide to troll.It sounds like a good idea because you would never have to worry about mounts tearing loose either.Any input would be appreciated...Thanks
KevinA
05-13-2002, 10:10 AM
I'm on my second season with DRs mounted on gimbal mounts & plugged into gunwale rod holders. It's a nice system...and quick as you suggest. I run three lines off each gimbal mount (two dipsies or boards & one DR line). As long as you have pins in the base of each rod holder & your gimbal mounts lock into these pins, you'll find it a very stable system. Some folks have had problems with DRs mounted this way cracking their glass gunwales or pulling out..this is more of a cheap boat issue than a problem with the mounting design itself. I have had zero problems (hydrasport boat, cannon gimbal mounts, cannon digitrolls)
FreeByrd
05-13-2002, 12:11 PM
I have them and they are a good system. I'd recommend the "universal" mount from Cabellas. It is predrilled for most of the major makes of downriggers and rodholders. I use them on my downriggers, dipsey rod holders and planar board rod holders. Makes it nice when I want to head to Put In Bay for the weekend. Just remove them and I don't have all the fishing stuff there.
The track mount systems are nice too.
Good Luck,
Steve Carlson
good product..............
Finaddict
05-14-2002, 02:59 AM
I use the cannon gimbal mounts for two mag 10s. Been using them for four years never had a problem no holes drilled other than the electrical. Great set up.
Raptor
05-14-2002, 05:00 AM
I went with the universal mounts from Cabela's. I really like that set up especially since I don't always use downriggers. The one's I bought have 8 slots every 45 degrees as opposed to some I have seen with only 4 at every 90 degrees. I also didn't have to drill or tap any holes to mount cannon bases. They were only $40.
I did have a problem with one of the gimble mounts though. One of the teeth broke off on the bottom within the first minute I was using it. I had the downrigger pointed 90 degrees from the boat with a 5' boom and 8# weight. I just moved that one to the rigger that points straight back and it was fine for the rest of the w/e. Cabela's gave me a new one no questions asked. It may have been defective out of the box. You may want to look them over good.
Rick: I too have the Cabela's Gimble mounts and think they are the best way to go. I fish deep water as well as shallow and have never had any problens wiggling. Even when I'm down 120' and the lines are really singing, they are very solid. You can't go wrong. Good luck DOWN RIGGIN...Kaz