Trolling rod holder...

[Ron]

Looking to mount trolling rod holders on my 617 Ranger and running Diawa line counters. Is it okay to mount the holders on the saftey rail, or should I put them somewhere else? Which holder do you recommend? Thanks.

[Jack]

Mounting your rod holders on the grab rails will be fine especially on a guality boat like a Ranger . Had a Roberts holder snap off at the base while pulling a big dipsey in a turn . Tempress makes a guality rod holder .

[Den]

I usually dont comment on too many of this type of questions, but in most of my experiences on erie, i would recommend going with any of the quality METAL rod holders. i have run the plastic holders and myself i havent had any problems with mine, but i was with a good friend one time , and if he wouldnt have had fast reflexes, he would have lost a good trolling combo, daiwa counter, and st croix rod.i have heard of a couple of others that have gotten broke too, i have a couple that were returned to me from being broken off. the plastics are good , but they still aint as strong as metal. this is just my opinion. good luck and good fishin. you will notice that there are no names mentioned here on brands, and that is intentional.it may only break once, but if it is your rod and reel, that is one too many times.
Den

[cisco]

What I consider the best rod holders I've used and/or owned are Setzer. They are available in the lower basin of Lake Michigan (Milw - Chicago area) and I've seen them in western basin communities of Lake Erie. The grab rail mounts would be ideal on your Ranger. (You'll pay $35 to $40 each, but they are worth every dime.)

[Bullfrog]

You should consider the RAM mounts. New & tough. The best part is they are elevated above the rail or deck with about a six inch post. This keeps the rod butts up and away from tackle boxes, seeats, people, coolers, etc. And, you can use them for spinning or casting rods and they have been designed for all models of reels. The best!

[ETT]

I'm with den, if I'm runnin big Dipsys out of plastic holders, they've got some sort of tether on them. How wants to mess with that all the time.

[Terry/JNR]

I like the Tite Loc brand rod holders. All of their different styles mount to the same base and they are made of aluminum. They last forever. The tube holders are great for trolling boards and dipsys and I like the fork style for drifting and light trolling with riggs on inland waters.

[yknot]

Den's right again. I wouldn't trust my trolling rigs to plastic rod holders. I run Lee's for my dipseys and Perkos for my board rods. These are all rail mount rod holders. The Lee's are the most expensive, but that rail will break off before the rodholders give out.

[spanky]

here's another vote for setzer rail mounts.spend the money you won't regret it.these may appear under the dubro name now.a place called the salmon connection in winthrop harbor,il. sells them as well as r r sporting goods in milwaukee.i run 8 lines all the time on michigan and erie.even a dipsey and 30 # chin won't compromise this set up.you also can buy a variety of bases to accomodate any angle you want.go for it.

[stingerND]

I also use the Ram Rod holders I like the elevated holder keeps the handle up and easy to grab. The holder has a nice release so you aren't fumbling trying to get your rod out. Works good for spinning and baitcasters and affordable. Look in Cabela's