What Do You Do When You Don't Have Rod Holders?

[TMF89]

Hey guys, I'm FINALLY making my first flattie outing sunday night, but I don't have any rod holders in my boat. Any tips/tricks you guys use(d) so we don't have to hold a rod in each hand all night?

P.S. Any tips in general for Sunday? We'll be fishing between Black Dog and the Ford Dam (no idea how far of a stretch that even is, just going off some tips that customers gave me, lol).

[DTro]

eh, rod holders are only an amemity not a neccesity.

Cast out, find a nook or cranny in the boat and shove it in or just lean it against the side of the boat.

[TMF89]

Dtro, can the big flatheads pull the rods out of the boat? Probably a dumb question, but I've seen northerns and snags do it.

[Larry FlatCaster]

If your tightlining you better make sure that the rod is secure...

They will fly out of the boat. Dtro and I were special witness to the loss of over $100.00 worth of gear when a fish pulled the rod holder down so the rod could fly in the water.

[TMF89]

We'll be using bullheads with clickers, I'm just wondering if the sudden shock of the run might tip the rod over.

[DTro]

Nope no worries with the clickers. Just make sure they the spool is disengaged and the clicker is on

Also the greater the angle to the water the safer it will be.

[Grant]

I usually end up jamming the rod butt in the seat i'm sitting on.... that way if I doze off when the fish hits the bait the rod butt pokes me and wakes me up.

[SteveD]

Hey guys, I'm FINALLY making my first flattie outing sunday night, but I don't have any rod holders in my boat. Any tips/tricks you guys use(d) so we don't have to hold a rod in each hand all night?

Here is a quick solution to your rod holder situation. Go to WalMart and buy one of the Roberts Rod Holders (about $15) and mount the sidemount on a 5 gallon bucket. Use the bucket to carry or store stuff in your boat. When you need the rod holder just position the bucket where you want it and you are good to go. If the bucket seems unstable just fill it with water and your bucket and rod holder aren't going anywhere. Here is a photo:

For you guys that fish from shore this is a great shore rod holder. Use it to carry stuff you need and when you get to your spot, fill it with water and you have a rod holder. This is nice when you are on a rocky bar or a place where your bank rod holders are hard to get in the ground.

[AceintheHole]

thats a very Idea I like that.

[wastewaterguru]

Have been fishing out of a 14 foot boat with no holders for years......

Just have to use common sense.

[Here-Kitty-Kitty]

Hey I've fished for years without one. Just make sure you have either your drag or bail open and the clicker on. I normally just lay it across my boat, but still close enough to me if it does move and close the bail that I hopefully am not slow handed that I can grab it.

[Ed Carlson]

For easy & cheap improvised rood holders, you can Zip-Stip 1 1/2 to 2" PVC tubes to bench seat supports, or the transom supports.

Drill a couple of sets of holes in the tubes and zip-it top and bottom so the rod will not twist and dump in the water.

[ec30_06]

Invest in some. In the long run you will be glad you did