Fish-On or Ram 2000 Rod Holders?

[Fishoil]

I need to buy rod holders for my new boat soon and can't decide between these two brands. I like the features of the Ram but am worried about their strength. I occasionally fish salmon on Lake Michigan and I don't know if they will stand up to the strain of pulling dipseys and hard hitting kings. I've used Fish-On holders in the past without any problems but would prefer to go to the Ram 2000 this time. Does anyone have any experience with them for Great Lakes fishing? Has anyone ever had either brand break on you?

[Fog]

I use the original ram rod holders with dipseys and in line planer boards with no problems. I have no experiences with the ram 2000 but I am happy with the originals.
J. Fog

[tbomn]

I use the RAM 2000 models and really like them. I pull inline boards, deep heavy cranks, and snapweights on them and have had no problems. They have tightened up since the original ones, they were a little loose fitting. They are tougher than they look.

[Fishoil]

When you say "original" do you mean the type with a ball on each end and a sleeve with a handle to tighten it between them? If so, I agree they are VERY nice holders, just a bit more than I care to spend.

[Fishoil]

Joe - Do you ever use the 2000's with dipseys or for Great Lakes salmon? I'm a little concerned with them snapping off under the strain.

[tbomn]

Have not used them for that, but I do use them for pulling 5 and 6 oz. 3 ways with deep running Rapala Mag. for big northern pike. When they hit, you would think the whole side of the boat was going to pull away, but they have held up, with no problems.

[Fishoil]

That's what I was hoping to hear. I really like them and I know for walleyes they're great. I'll probably give 'em a try, but if I break one and lose a rod I'm sending you the bill. ;-)

[tbomn]

Please don't buy the RAM 2000 rod holders....please, please. You all heard me, I told him not to buy them....lol

[CohoJoe]

I've got eight of the Ram 2000 on my boat and they have held up for over three years fishing eye's and salmon. I use them with dipsey's and downriggers, boards, bouncer etc.. and haven't had a problem. The key is to keep the drags light on the reels and they should give before the holder? I'd get them if I were you. No problems!

CJ

[schrof]

I've got 8 2000's on my rig, fish eyes and salmon on L.Michigan, no problems so far with them holding up to the strains of dipseys or Kings hitting. Been using them for 2 years now.

Schrof

[LuvFishN]

I was thinking of of purchasing some rod holders too. I was going to do the mounts on top of the gunwales. I have a Lund Tyee. Are you guys reinforcing these mounts with a backing plate? Or jusst using the stock hardware, whether it be fours screws or bolts?. I think the reinforcing backing plate would offer the best strength. Thanks!

[daren]

Used them all last year for salmon and caught many with them. No problems so far. No backing plate, just screws here.

[CohoJoe]

My Pro V came with plywood under the gunwales so I didn't need to do any reinforcing. I just used some 1/4X20 machine screws(stainless) and some elastic stopnuts and I haven't had a problem. I also use fender washers too.

CJ

[SL Duck]

I have the RAM 2000 and love them. This is what I did as I had concerns with pulling cranks etc. for musky. I purchased the aluminum track and mounted it. I then purchased the track bases for the 2000s. I had a pair of Fish On holders and I saw that they could fit in the RAM holders with a small amount of file work on the inside of the Fish On holders. They fit like a glove to the RAM base. I use the Fish On for musky and RAM holders for walleye etc. By the way I use planner boards all the time and no problem with the RAM system. Hope this helps.

[Denied]

Those of us that pull big dipsys a lot have learned the hard way (expensive) to not us the plastic type rod holders. I have personally seen three break and go into the lake taking rod, reel and all with them. They may last for a while but in the long run they will fatigue.
dean

Fishing Lake Erie aboard "DENIED"

(I don't represent any manufacturer or supplier "I pay my own way")