Rod Holders

[Crestliner2008]

Looking to buy 4 rod holders for an open type 16' V-hull fishing boat. These will require a side mount - as opposed to top, flush, or rail mount. Looking at BPS, Cabelas, Dick's and Amazon, I'm seeing a vast variation in reviews on various makes & models. Anyone have any opinions on pros or cons of those that you have used? Especially if you've got the side mounted style. Thanks muchly Folks.

[WRB]

About 30 years ago I bought a set of Shaddock side mount rod holders from Cabela's.

They worked good for how I used them, easy to take off and store the rod holder and the radial adjustment with the star type pin and socket made easy side to side adjustments. 

I used the holders for my kids to put their rods in when they got bored or eating while dragging a slip shot rig. 

Had to drill 4 holes for the rod holder receptacle using stainless steel nuts and bolts.

Tom

[Arcs&sparks]

For trolling I assume?  On my small rig I have some of the cheap Wise brand holders,  similar to what WRB is talking about and Down-East clamp-ons. The Wise work ok but are pretty chinsey.  I’ll be using Scotty’s and DownEast on my new rig.  Cableas brand has one that I think is made by Scotty.  They’re a harder plastic and are much more refined.  Down-East makes a variety of tired and true alloy rod holders.  Mostly clamp on style but have bolt on too. They secure the rod and reel very tight and when you get a fish,  you just pull strait up to release the rod.

 

DownEast and wise;

[slonezp]

Scotty makes a good quality rod holder with different mount options available.

 

[Crestliner2008]

I have two of the double clamp Down East rod holders that I've used for years. Don't like them for a couple of reasons. First, they are noisy when pulling a rod out and second, if you use spinning reels, they mar the finishes. This is why I'm looking for the plastic variety instead. And yes.....the purpose is for trolling.

[Way north bass guy]

I’ve used these for quite a while on several different boats, trolling for trout/salmon on Georgian Bay with in line planer boards in fairly big wind, and they hold up very well and have different mount styles for different boats. 

[Crestliner2008]

Right now I am seriously considering the Scottys. They seem to have the best reviews.

[Spankey]

I use Atwood that are fully adjustable. Similar to the Scottie’s. Height Extension are available. I find the extensions to work great. 

[fishnkamp]

I used 4 of these Bass Pro rod holders on one of my old boats. They worked fine. We did some slow trolling for freshwater white perch and crappie as well. This was at about 3 to 4 mph using the trolling motor. Those fish would hold between 15 and 30 feet down in 60 or 70 fow and we fished live nightcrawlers and minnows on Lindy rigs.. This was in a drinking reservoir here in MD.  These come in a 2 pack.  

i would get them again if I needed them.

 

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-rod-holder-twin-pack

[Vilas15]

23 hours ago, Way north bass guy said:

I’ve used these for quite a while on several different boats, trolling for trout/salmon on Georgian Bay with in line planer boards in fairly big wind, and they hold up very well and have different mount styles for different boats. 

I've got two of the cabelas brand holders that are the same as these scottys. They seemed higher quality and more stout than the atwood one i looked at.

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, Vilas15 said:

They seemed higher quality and more stout than the atwood one i looked at.

Pretty much anything by Atwood is sub-par. When I was looking around for parts for my canoe mod, I looked at Atwood's King-pin seat mount. The pillar was just spot-welded to the seat-mount. Reviews have it breaking off before even a full season. That's why I went with Wise for all my seat-parts.

 

Suggestion: Don't buy anything from Atwood - there's a reason their items are less expensive.