Kayak rod holders

[stk44]

I'm looking to get a tube style rod holder to install on my Predator MX kayak. The lay down rod holders are nice, but after my net getting caught on a treble hook on my spare crank bait rod and losing a barely hooked Musky because of it, it's time to get these rods the heck out of the way.

I'm looking to mount the rod holders on these plastic mounting panels:

I have a secured tackle bag that I keep in the open-rear storage compartment, so I'd prefer not to get a crate. Let me know what you like or what you think will work.

 

Thanks,

Steve

[Darren.]

Have a look-see here:

scotty tube rod holders kayak

[J Francho]

I like recessed right behind the seat, but if you want tubes, then I prefer RAM 2008 tubes, by a long shot over any other product.  I have four that I use in various places all over my Commander 140.  They are track mounted, but a permanent screwball mount should be fine on each of those mounting blocks on your boat.

http://www.yakattack.us/CBO_SB15_R119_p/cbo-sb15-r119.htm

[stk44]

Actually, now that I'm thinking something like this may be best:

Can anyone foresee any issues with having to pivot and grab a rod with this type of rod holder?  

[Darren.]

Just now, stk44 said:

Actually, now that I'm thinking something like this may be best:

Can anyone foresee any issues with having to pivot and grab a rod with this type of rod holder?  

I've got two of these, don't have them
mounted as of yet, and may not mount
them.

Previously I used them as holders for my
DIY pontoons I used on my old canoe.

As far as pivoting, just realize that you 
would want to leave that front rubber 
"clip" undone - unless your arms are 
long enough.

Like John suggested, RAM also makes
good mounts. There are +'s and -'s with
each.

[buzzed bait]

i have all of my rods over on my left side because i do like 80-90% of my casting on the right side, a long time ago i caught one in a backcast on my right side and sent it overboard....  so i'd kind of agree with J that right behind the seat would be best.  maybe go a little DIY and come up with some super cool solution to mount something to that "bar" right behind the seat?

[Choporoz]

I've installed RAM and Railblaza Star Mounts.  If I needed a rod holder mounted to a flat surface, I'd probably go with the star mount next, but they're both great.

[stk44]

20 minutes ago, buzzed bait said:

i have all of my rods over on my left side because i do like 80-90% of my casting on the right side, a long time ago i caught one in a backcast on my right side and sent it overboard....  so i'd kind of agree with J that right behind the seat would be best.  maybe go a little DIY and come up with some super cool solution to mount something to that "bar" right behind the seat?

Hmm...I usually store stuff behind the seat. I was thinking of only using 1 rod holder for my cranking rod, and then using only single hooks up front in the cockpit. I'll have to sit in the kayak and see if this will work...

[J Francho]

2 hours ago, stk44 said:

Actually, now that I'm thinking something like this may be best:

Can anyone foresee any issues with having to pivot and grab a rod with this type of rod holder?  

Yep, they are a pain.  You can add friction plates to do away with the ratcheting tilt lock, but it's still a pain.  I had them with the recessed mounts on my original kayak.  Neither I, nor the current owner uses them.  A ball mount is so much simpler.  You can tighten it, but not too much, and still be able to move them when they get in your way, like when landing a fish.

Personally, I'd put two RAM tubes on the port side on screw balls, directly attached to the mounting slab.  They're there for this. A left handled caster would do the opposite side.

[stk44]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

Yep, they are a pain.  You can add friction plates to do away with the ratcheting tilt lock, but it's still a pain.  I had them with the recessed mounts on my original kayak.  Neither I, nor the current owner uses them.  A ball mount is so much simpler.  You can tighten it, but not too much, and still be able to move them when they get in your way, like when landing a fish.

Personally, I'd put two RAM tubes on the port side on screw balls, directly attached to the mounting slab.  They're there for this. A left handled caster would do the opposite side.

Thanks for the info. I've been fishing the Allegheny river a good bit and I always find myself drifting under trees or getting close to some overhanging bushes, etc. Would it be worth my time to mount a rod-holder like the ram tubes completely vertical? I had vertical rod holders before and I guess I adapted, I just liked the though of laying them down or keeping them at a 45 degree angle away from obstructions. Let me know what works for you.

[Darren.]

1 hour ago, stk44 said:

Thanks for the info. I've been fishing the Allegheny river a good bit and I always find myself drifting under trees or getting close to some overhanging bushes, etc. Would it be worth my time to mount a rod-holder like the ram tubes completely vertical? I had vertical rod holders before and I guess I adapted, I just liked the though of laying them down or keeping them at a 45 degree angle away from obstructions. Let me know what works for you.

The RAM mounts allow you to have it vertical, 
but quickly change it if you need to.

[avidone1]

Velly intalesting

[J Francho]

They're on a ball mount, and the tubes have holes for a bungee if you want extra security. Coming up to a low tree or bridge, just push them down. Way better than those ratchet adjust holders.