Where do you mount your rod holders?

[Coastal Rick]

I have a 14' aluminum boat, with three bench seats, a little console on the middle seat, and a covered bow for storage. There is just a little oval gunnel welded at the top of the sides. I've got 4 rod holders on order (plastic Scottys with side mount bases) and started wondering where to position them on the boat. Last weekend I tried trolling for the first time, and it was a bit of a challenge operating the trolling motor (transom mount) and holding the pole at the same time . I will likely be trolling for salmon/trout/whatever, and bottom fishing in the bay, or bass fishing in the nearby lakes. Lucky me with all that so close by. This is my first boat, so I don't know much about the set up.

I was thinking two as far back near the transom as I can go, and two up around the middle seat. I'm hoping for some specific suggestions, like would you mount them on the mid line of the bench seat, or to the front of it, or to the back? And stuff like that. Help a guy out! Thanks.

 

[tillman40]

Re: Where do you mount your rod holders?

I have an aluminum boat and I recently mounted a 3 rod holder next to the console area...we use it when we have been fishing and need to move the boat...

Before fishing while transporting we have the poles wrapped..

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Where do you mount your rod holders?

The thing to do is to sit in (or on) the seat as you would while fishing. Using a c-clamp, position your rod holder where you think it might work, then pretend to be fishing. Adjust the position until you find the ideal position for both sides from that seat and mark it.

Do the same for the middle seat, sitting as you or your passenger would be sitting.

Worked for me.

 

[brdhntr]

Re: Where do you mount your rod holders?

The thing to do is to sit in (or on) the seat as you would while fishing. Using a c-clamp, position your rod holder where you think it might work, then pretend to be fishing. Adjust the position until you find the ideal position for both sides from that seat and mark it.

Do the same for the middle seat, sitting as you or your passenger would be sitting.

Worked for me.

That is a good start, then get out and fish. Guarantee you will be moving them as you get experience fishing. I ran 6 rods off my 14' when I had it.

As for fishing salmon, you are going to want to rig up something a little better than just the plain clamps. A big king will rip it right off the gunnel on you, taking holder, rod, real, and bait with him.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Where do you mount your rod holders?

The clamps are just for testing. Once you find the right spots, you install the brackets for the rod holders permanently.

 

[RicMic]

Re: Where do you mount your rod holders?

If you are going to be trolling, you will want your lines near the stern, otherwise, everytime you turn or the wind gusts, you will be getting the lines tangled up in the prop, that is if you are using a stern mounted engine. If I am by myself, I generally troll with four rods, two on the transom, near the corners and two on the sides. The transom mounted rods are usually shorter and mounted at a higher angle and slightly outboard. The side rods are about 5-6 feet forward and usually angled 90 degrees out and have longer rods in them. This gives a maximum spread of lines in the water and in my seat in a 14' ncs I am right in the middle of the four rods. I use Tite Lok or Down East rod holders, so I can change the angles easily and this setup works fine for still fishing as well.

 

[RicMic]

Re: Where do you mount your rod holders?

Oh, I forgot to say that I never drill any holes in a boat until I am absolutely positive that those holes are in the right spot, so I clamp rod holders(or anything else) in place any use it for a while. You can just use a c-clamp and a block of wood to temporarily attach permanent mounts.

 

[Coastal Rick]

Re: Where do you mount your rod holders?

Great suggestions, especially on clamping them up temporarily for testing. I'm a little apprehensive about drilling a bunch of holes knowing that I'm probably going to be changing my mind once i really get to using them often.

Although most of the salmon I might run into around here aren't giant, there is always that possibility of a huge one nailing a lure. I'm figuring on doing a lot of testing on the lakes first trolling for trout, then once it seems right I'll lock em down and see if I can be ready for fall salmon in the bay.

Any other ideas or comments out there?

 

[bugman1964]

Re: Where do you mount your rod holders?

I have 4 rod holders mounted in my 16' aluminum, 2 at the corners of the transome and 2 mounted to the angled brackets at the sides of the mid bench seat. I perfer to use the 2 at the bench seat when trolling 2 lines. I use downeast rod holders, great product.