rod holders???

[dfv87]

looking at adding rod holders on my Lund pro sport...

1 what kind?

2 what is needed to install?

3 take into account I have next to zero mech ability and don't want my trolling rigs dropping into the lake!

4 location recommendations on the boat?

[hoggs222]

I have the Scotty brand holders. You can get them at gander for about $15 each. They don't lock into place, but you could fix that easily with a cotter pin & a small hole. All you'll need is a drill & a screwdriver. I have one mounted on each side of my Lund Adventure. The drivers side one is about a foot behind the throttle. It's easy to troll that way. If you're driving the boat & trolling, the hook pretty much sets itself.

[beer batter]

Good topic.

I'm also going to be looking for some rod holders. Old one's went with the boat so I need new ones. I'd like a flush mount bracket where you can pop out the holder when not in use. It would also be mounted to aluminum. Are there any limitations to mounting to aluminum vs. glass?

I find many times when out fishing with the kids it's just a convenient spot to set their rods to keep them out of the way once they're in eating mode or just don't want to fish anymore. I also want to be able to pull them out so they're not in the way when climbing in from the side of the boat.

What are some brands to steer away from? Other recommended brands?

[hoggs222]

The scotty's will not be totally flush, but only sticking out about 2" or so. They are removable. I have them set up on aluminum. I'll try to snap a picture this weekend to show you how they're mounted.

[Paul Waldowski]

Try Driftmasters I think they will fit exactly what you are looking for.

[Northlander]

Rams have great flush mounts. I have 8 on my boat and have had no problems with them at all. I run a lot of Dipsey Divers and the Rams hold those Dypsey Rods just great.

I have had Scottys but had 1 break on a Dypey Rod right at the swivel point. If your not running Dypseys I think they would be fine.

[CFRay]

I too have a ProSport and installed four RAM flush mount bases. Located two forward( 6 " in front of the cleats, two aft - (comfortable standing spot, about 12 inches in front of the cleats). A 1-3/8" holesaw and a variable speed drill is all thats needed. Use a center punch to create a spot for the drill bit to start in. Start the drill hole slowly, then moderate speed until you cut through the aluminum. Mark and then drill starter holes for the stainless steel screws, set the base and clean up the shavings. I cut a small block of plywood that fits below the aluminum at the front holder bases. Those locations have only an alum. sheet. The flush mount base fits through the plywood.

[outdoor ran]

I'am not sure what you mean by they don't lock in place. I have 4 of them on my walleye boat. I put them in facing inward , push half way down, rotate them out and push down. Then there locked down. I like to be able to angle them up, down and left and right before they lock. I like them, but if I were to do it again I would get the rams, after being in Northlanders boat. Its the way to go.

[beer batter]

Sounds like Rams may be the way to go, any others?

Anybody know of good sales on rod holders this time of year?

[hoggs222]

The one's that I have do not lock into place. They sit inside of the mount, but I have had a few times where people went to grab the rod & the rod holder came out of the mount & fell into the lake.

[Surface Tension]

I've got Rams on my eye boat, seem to workout OK and mine lock. I too have had them pop out when retrieving a rod thats loaded up.

I'll be mounting a set of Duo 255-H Drift Masters on my Superior boat for the Dipsy Rods, can't wait to get to use them. The Rams are tuff but I'm concerned about the flex when stressed and their breaking point. The Pro Series Drift Masters are made from 1/2 stainless steel, no worries there. One other plus I can see is the ease of pulling the a doubled over rod from the holder. Along with many different types of rod holders, Drift Masters has a mount for any application.

[outdoor ran]

Maybe they are a different style then mine. Do they have a notch in them so they go in only one way. If so turn them so the notch is facing inside. That way they can't come out once there facing out.

[Guest]

I really like the ram holders. I have never had them diengage under any load. They fit very snug in the actual ram bases.. a littl loser in the attwood bases.. but is nice to be able to interchange them with the other holders... not have to replace bases.

The Attwood holders are pretty decent... they have treated me ok. I have broken off 2 in time bumping into the dock in a way I dont think they should have.. but they never failed on a fish... I have not broken a Ram, even by accident, however, nothing is indestructable.. accidents happen.

The ram holders work very well if your rods have large diameter handles.. really large rods(cat rods) tend to hang up some in the attwood holders.

For affordable holders, I will stand behind Ram holders... there are stronger out there, but you are going to pay for them.

I persoanly dont care for Scotty holders... they just seem cheap.. this is only a personal opinion.

[Polar Bear]

I have a total of 6 Scottys in the 2 boats. They do lock in place and are easily removable for storage. Also, they are not expensive... about 15 bucks from cabellas. they come with flush mount, surface mount or rail mount (both square and round rails). They are fully adjustable in both pitch and angle and come in 3 colors. I'm very happy with them.

[CrappieJohn]

I just hung two Driftmaster Flat base holders in my boat and think that these are just the ticket. As Frank said, that 1/2" of stainless is not going to fail on any freshwater fishing situation. I already have my eye on another style of Driftmaster for yet another application. You'd be hard pressed to say you went wrong with these holders!