Rod Holders

[JAG]

Anyone have opinoins on rod holders from various manufacturers. I looked at Cabelas web site and found lots of different types. From the pictures it looked like RAM 2000 and Cabelas brands had some nice features. I don't want to drill any holes in my boat to mount them, thought I might use the post holes for the seats on the back deck of my Sportfish. Just cut a wooden dowel to fit the hole and mount the holder to the dowel. Any opinions on rod holders or other mounting techniques would be great. Thanks in advance.

[Jess]

I recently mounted some rod holders and didn't want to dril holes. Someone dose make a rod holder that locks into the seat post holes like you were saying. It holds 4 rod holders. i think I saw in a catalog but I don't remember whos. I didn't want to give up the space. i tried a lock tite rod holder which has a clamp base you can clamp on the the gunnel or transom. it worked god on the transum but went cockeyed onthe gunnel. I ended up just taking a 2x4 .. covering it with a ruler sticker and mounting 2 scotty rod holder on it. They work great and am realy happy with them. The ruler sticker worked out good too as I can lay by fish under the rod holers and measure them. I just used 2 c clamps to (3") to mount the 2x4. simple but it worked out great..and no holes. Scotty also makes a clamp but I havn't tried it. Hope this helps.
Jess

[John]

I posted a request like yours a while back, and the responses I received overwhelmingly supported the RAM 2000 holders. I bought some at Cabela's (with a couple different mounting options), but haven't gone trolling yet--hopefully very soon. The experienced trollers who did use them used comments like "rock solid", and they had tried many different holders. Unfortunately, I can't help you with ideas on mounting without drilling holes in the boat. Any help there would be appreciated by me, too!
Good fishing

[JAG]

Jess and John,
Thanks for the response. I'm determined to figure out a way to use the seat post holes on the rear deck, when I come up with something I'll post my solution. Glad to have someone confirm the RAM 2000 as being a good choice.
jag

[Vern Bjornstad]

Check out www.in-a-snap.com web site.
No drilling, Snaps into rope cleat.

good fishing, vern

[JAG]

Vern,
That looks like a great idea. Do they work as good as they look? Have you tried one yourself ?
Thanks,
jag

[John]

Vern,
In reply to the in-a-snap rod holder product, do you know if it comes complete with their rod holder, or is it just the snap mount which clicks into the rope cleat, and then you can use other brands of rod holders? Looks interesting.

[mikie]

The Down East are the way to go. Screw into the gunnels so they are very sturdy and when the bite comes, the rod and reel lift straight up with little effort. Fully adjustable, too. Bass catalog carries them if Cabella doesn't. m

[Whitetail]

You have to have a certain cleat for the In-a-snap rod holders they did not fit my Yar-Craft and I had to take a re-stocking fee plus postage to send them back. The Cabela's rod holders are the best bet, go for them.

[hgf]

I ordered them, they sent them ASAP, but it would not fit my cleats on a Crestliner. Sent them back, and am now waiting if they will credit my account!! They looked ok though. Just didn't fit.

[T-Mac]

Personally, I think it is really important to have the rod holders located where they need to be for easy use.
Why the worry about drilling holes?

[Piazano]

The In A Snap rod holders are the rod holder and the snap base. They are tough, bullet proof type stuff! I used them on my last two boats up front and they worked great.
As for the cleat issue, look at the picture of the rod holder. If your cleats look like that, the rod holder will work.
There are two different snap bases though. The original that will fit most of the boats out there, and the modified to fit the cleats that Ranger and Triton use. They look like the same cleat, but are slightly narrower than the originals.
The only wish?, complaint? I have is they do n ot swivel from side to side, only up and down. But that is only a minor drawback. As I say I have used the for a few years now and LOVE them.
Best thing to do is to call In A Snap and tell them what model boat you run and see if they will fit, before you order. Dan is always great to talk to.