King Fish Rod Holder? Trust The Answer

Every angler knows that it’s not always possible to hold the rod in your hand all the time – after all there are boats to steer, hooks to tie and sandwiches to eat. If you’re like most anglers, you already know that the moment you put your rod down to attend to something else is when the fish are most likely to bite. When you’re tired of not coming home with the catch you want, it’s time to add rod holders to your boat. Whether you’re fishing from a kayak, rowboat, small outboard, or larger vessel, you can increase your chances of catching simply by attaching rod holders to your boat. As a bonus, if you are one of those who likes to fish alone or find yourself in this situation from time to time, you can catch twice as many fish by mounting rod holders on your boat. If you have a larger boat and often fish with friends and family, you can install enough multiple rod holders so there is something for everyone.

Where to mount rod holders

Theoretically, you can attach rod holders anywhere on your boat. However, for the best performance, you need to find an accessible area that doesn’t get in your way when you’re busy with other activities. To facilitate fishing while steering the boat, place the rod holder at a 90 degree angle from the center line and ensure the area under the gunwale is clear of wires and other potential obstructions.

How to install rod holders

The first step in assembling a fishing rod holder is to carefully apply protective tape to the affected area and drill a pilot hole in the intended location. Next, use a ruler to ensure the rod holder sits squarely in the center of the gunwale and use your drill bit to cut out the hole for the rod holder. Put the rod holder in the hole to make sure it fits snugly. Using side cutters, notch out the desired angle and reinsert the rod holder into the hole. After making sure it is 100% flush with the gunwale, install the spacer and jam nut that hold the rod holder in place. Tighten them as much as possible to make sure they stay in place. Pulling the rod holder back and forth several times will give you more room to tighten it more tightly.

The final step is to remove the protective tape and thoroughly clean the area with a clean rag and rubbing alcohol.

Things to know about mounting rod holders

Assembling bar holders yourself is a fairly simple process if you have the right tools and some basic knowledge of how they work. It’s a relatively quick and inexpensive upgrade that adds real value to your boating experience. Contact us at GemLux to learn more about rod holders – whether you’re looking to install one or twenty-one on your boat, we’ve got the right ones for you.

It’s evident that by adding more offers to your spread, whether trolling or live baiting, you increase your chances of hooking up exponentially. In theory, you’re trying to mimic a school of baitfish fleeing, so why not add more students to your class? With most boats outfitted with four standard gunwale mounted cockpit rod holders, two on each side, it can be difficult to put together an enticing spread with such limited options.

install-rod-holders1 Image 1 of 5 Photo: Steve Dougherty

While rod holders are a must-have and invaluable accessory, they are often overlooked on more glamorous tackle, but properly installed and positioned rod holders will dramatically increase your comfort and success on the water. When it comes to outfitting your boat with fishy features like depth gauges, underwater lights, and other desirable accessories, unless you are very skilled, these tasks are best left to the professionals. Installing a rod holder, on the other hand, is a fairly simple task that you can easily do yourself with just a few basic tools. While you’ll no doubt save money doing your own installation, it will also give you a great sense of satisfaction every time your train starts singing.

…properly installed and positioned rod holders will dramatically increase your comfort and success on the water.

With the help of ingenious manufacturers, anglers now have the option of converting their rod holders into bait/fillet tables, drink holders, tackle holders, buddy dispensers and even a grill for impromptu cookouts. However, for the purposes of this editorial, we wanted to talk exclusively about flush mount rod holders. If you are a die-hard angler, the choice is easy. Will it be aluminium, chrome or stainless steel? Common sizes are 1 5/8 and 1 7/8 inches (inside diameter) and 2 or 2 1/4 inches (outside diameter). Before making a purchase decision, make sure that the inner diameter is not too narrow. A slick butt trolling rod may fit perfectly, but a spinning rod with a thick cork or foam end may not fit at all.

Almost all flush mount rod holders have an inner liner to protect your rod ends and a gasket where the rod holder rests on the gunwale. When it comes to customizing your boat with flush mount rod holders, you have a choice of 15, 30 and 45° offset. 30° rod seats work best for trolling as they put less strain on the reel seat under the pressure of a powerful hit. If you like kite fishing, 15° rod holders are the best choice. Curved butt gear designed for high speed trolling or deep drop should be placed in a 45° rod holder fitted with a robust backing plate. No matter what type of fishing you enjoy most or if you want to do it all, you can easily customize your boat for almost any application.

installation

Before you even think about cutting into your gelcoat, there are a few things you need to consider. Most importantly, always wear a dust mask and safety glasses when cutting fiberglass. If you plan to install more than a single rod holder, you can complete the process on an assembly line to save time.

Measure and mark where you want to mount your fishing rod holder after checking under the gunwale for any obstructions that might get in the way (fuel filler lines, wiring harness, etc.). You can measure across the gunwale to determine the center. To protect your gelcoat from excessive damage, place masking tape over the area you plan to drill. Now that you’ve measured twice, it’s time to make your hole. Using a 2 ½ inch hole saw with a center drill, start drilling (pic 1). Depending on the rod holder angle you choose, you may need to file away some extra fiberglass with a hand file (pic 2). Once the rod holder sits flush on the gunwale, make sure everything is where it is supposed to be. Now you can mark where the mounting hardware will be installed (pic 3). Drill three holes through the gunwale with a drill. To prevent your gelcoat from chipping, it is highly recommended that you countersink each hole (pic 4). If you are going to bolt everything down, put a generous amount of silicone sealant in each hole. Insert the bolts, add the washer and bolt and tighten with an appropriate size wrench. you fish!

rod holder manufacturer

Attwood Navy

616.897.2290

www.attwoodmarine.com

C.E. Smith

800.334.2490

www.cesmith.com

perco

305.621.7525

www.perko.com

Rup Marine

866.477.2678

www.ruppmarine.com

scottie

800.214.0141

www.scotty.com

taco

305.652.8566

www.tacomarine.com

tigress

954.462.0917

www.tigressoutriggers.com

Never, under any circumstances, become a refugee.

Die if you must, but die on your home lawn facing the wind, not in some stinking hellhole 1,200 miles away among people you don’t know or care about.