Rod Holders ???

[Orange Whip]

I am rigging a Lund Pro V for Walleye Trolling on the Great Lakes. Some day several years from now I may even use the boat for Muskie trolling in Canada.

I will be using long handled rods with Daiwa line counter reels.

Scotty has some nice rod holders. It seems as if Ram does too. Although I don't understand the reason behind the 6 inch extension on the Rams,. Probably for rod clearance.

Before I drill four holes into my boat I would really like to know who makes the best rod holder. The ease of taking the rod out of the holder is a major concern.

I don't want to use down east rod holders simply for appearance sake. Please help!

Thank you in advance

[Fishbomb]

Pursuit Sports, formely Burt's Custom Tackle makes two styles of very nice, sturdy rod holders that you attach to a track that you mount to the boat. This makes it easy to add or take off rod holders. These are a tube style and adjustable from straight up to below horizonal. Many salmon trollers use these as they will hold up to the strain of pulling Dipseys or a full core of lead. Go to www.pursuitsports.com for more details. Hope it helps.

[eyebuster]

fishbomb nailed this one!!! I use Berts Custom Tackle rod holders for trolling the Great Lakes, and also for my handline reels for the Detroit River. Great equipment, great looks, I guess the only down side is that they are a bit pricey. If I had to do it over, it would be with Berts gear.....

[ETT]

The reason for the 6" extensions is to get the rod butts up and out of the way of the lids of the compartments.

The tube style holders like Berts, Pursuit, Tite Lok, Big Jon, Prince Mastercraft and others are probably the best for any technique that has the rod in a more verticle position (such as board fishing).
The down side is that in a more horizonal position (like for Dipsys), the butt of the rod must be drawn out of the holder, and that can be awkward. (it requires you to reach well out to the side of the boat).

Consider all that needs to be going on, and consider all fishing situations, that you'll want to handle. And simply choose the holders that will perform best for you.

[chamookman]

Orange Whip- On My Pro V, I have gone with the RAM Rod 2000. With the extentions, I don`t have to bend over as far. Clearing the rod is as simple as push down on the handle- lift the rod out. I fish 99% time for Eyes, pulling boards on Saginaw Bay to bottombouncing inland Lakes. Also like My early Spring Salmon fishing- trolling cranks shallow w/boards. RAM make quality stuff, all My electronics have RAM mounts also. Hope this helps in Your decision. Bob WC#253.

[Walizz 1]

I agree with chamookman on the RAMS. I've had them on 2 different boats for 3 years now and no complaints. No more moving rods to get lids open. I've hooked sturgeon on Winnebago and the RAMS stood up to it!! I also like them on the bow when I'm jigging. It's a lot easier to reach them.
Dale Frank #251

[perchjerker]

Just remember, Burts and Pursuit are different companies now and have different designs. They are both very nice in my opinion. I like the design of the new Berts adjustable ones myself.

[Walleyejigger]

I pefer the Scotty rod holder. They make an extension thats 6 inches also. The extension is handy for long butt rods. But the best is when using the extension its right there to grap when you have a fish-on. Its also easy to adjust. I even use mine for trolling with boards. Let me warn you that the extension is pricy but its well worth it.

[pwrfshn]

Orange Whip,

I have had the Ram 2000 all year on my Pro V and am going to switch to the Pursuit Sports track setup. I am not happy with the Ram holders. They have worn on the mounts and the rubber caps are falling apart or off. They are nice if you don't use trolling equipment (long handled rods, etc...) and want to put a spinning reel or small baitcaster, but if you are using trolling gear I would have to go with the track system.

The tracks and tubes from Pursuit are very versatile and offer a lot of variation. When you don't want the holders on, slide them out and put in the track insert, nice and clean.

Good luck,

[EsoxProSport]

This year I had 3 Scotty's and 1 Ram Rod 2000 Mount... I used the RAM by the driver. Its additional height allowed more clearance so the rod butt would not hit anything.... I did notice the RAM did seem to wear or "twist" a bit in its base. To solve the problem I drilled a 1/8 inch hole in the side of the base and inserted a thumbscrew. ( I actually used the thumbscrew that secures my Bimini Top to the gunnel on my Lund" works great, no more wobble or twisting. Hope this helps those who have RAMS

[Badger 05]

You are going to laugh at this but I'll put in my two cents worth anyway. As far as quick release is concerned I love the cheapo Berkley rod holders, not the large ones but the short ones (about 4") that have a small reverse "L" shaped steel rod that holds the rod butt in the holder. They hold very well because they depend on the weight of the rod and pressure on the rod to keep the rod in the holder. I pull boards with them and have had no problems. They're nice because to take the rod out of the holder all you have to do is pick the rod up. The only drawback is that they don't have extensions to get them up off of the gunnel.

Fishing is: One jerk waiting for another jerk at the end of his line.

[Capt. Doug Schreiber]

The Scottys take a beating and stand up to pressure when trolling. This year I got a couple of extensions and next year I'll put a couple of more on each side. They are out of the way of the livewells, easier to reach and help when trolling boards, the higher the rod tip the better the boards ride.

[Orange Whip]

I really appreciate all of the feedback on the rod holders. I'm sure many others have benifit from all the the responses too. I am carefully going to look each one over before deciding. Would anybody know the Scotty web site?

Thanks again!

[KAJ]

Orange-Whip: I vote for the Scotty rod holders. They are tough and will stand up to abuse. The only thing that bothers me is the mounting bracket is universal for two positions and looks a little "clunky". Good Luck! KAJ

[LundNut]

If you are setting up a boat for Erie trolling, do yourself a favor! Go ahead and mount the track system either by Bert or Tite-Lok. Then down the road if you decide to troll with dipsy's you'll be set. If you fish Erie in the summer...you will eventually troll with dipsy's. I have Bert's track and adjustable rod holders on my Lund...very nice setup. The Tite-Lok's are just as good as Bert's but just a little cheaper. Can't go wrong with either choice!!!

LundNut

[willy]

make sure you think of everything that can cause a problem before you mount any holders. I bought three sets before I decided on Tit-loks. Place holders in position and test it with a rod to make sure that you can have the clearence you want in the boat. You may be surprised how the rod handles site and disrupt the space in your boat when in position. thats why I went to the tube style.

[Ohio fisherman]

Hi there. I rigged my boat for the same and similar purpose as you. I use 8 foot rods with Daiwa linecounters in both Lake Erie and inland lakes. We have tried a few types of rod holders and by far the best are the RAM tube rod holders that are black and have a 1 inch ball mount system. They work great for single rods in many locations. Also, Cabela's offers a very nice RAM triple rod holder system. You mount a base onto which you then mount the frame that holds 3 RAM tube rod holders. This is a fabulous system. I recently added a pair of these rod holders. Go to the Cabelas website and search for RAM rod holders. Good luck. Ohio fisherman

[ND]

Have been using both: rams and scottys for years.....9 rams and 6 scottys.
Rams on the front and stern; scottys on sides.
The ram balls also serve other duties when needed:like holding nite light, camera extensions, electric motor tiedown and others.
While the the scottys work both of Cabella's quick draw and the HT 360's.The 360's if you need to run a rod bellow the horizontal; the quickdraw if you need a hookset in the rodholder.The extension of the scottys gives you furhter taloring your paticular needs.
The above equipment allows me to change to each need as it arises.

[timestwo]

I have had good luck with Big Jon holders. Recently added duals for
dipseys from Fishlander....same folks, I guess that were with Big
Jon...have up/down; front back adjustment.

[DayDream Believer]

Well, no one has mentioned this one but I have them on my boat and they work excellent. They are the Anglers Pal made by Bystrom Bros out of Minneapolis. The model 800 is Stainless Steel/Aluminum, permanent mount, and has a 10" deep socket. They easily adjust to any angle and look great. They aren't cheap but buy them once and forget about it.