Question for small boat anglers

[bassboy1]

I have a 12 foot Vee and am having trouble storing rods.  We usually have two people fishing in it, and the seats are to close together to put them underneath.  How do ya'll do it?

[BOOYAH]

try one of them velcro strap rod holders or one of these.   http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jsp?id=0001318&navCount=2&parentId=cat600037&masterpathid=&navAction=push&cmCat=MainCatcat20166-cat600037&parentType=index&indexId=cat600037&rid=

[Daniel My Brother]

When you've got a small boat you're better off to simply limit the amount of gear you take with you. 2 or 3 rods and one tackle bag per man usually makes for a more enjoyable outing. We've all seen small boats so loaded with gear, coolers, tackle bags, and rods that there was barely room to move, much less fish. Keep it simple, bring less gear, have more fun.

BUT...to answer your question. I lay my rods across the seats, and strap 'em down with one of these.

[Sam]

May I suggest limiting your rods to two or three and take extra reels, lined and ready to go.

This will reduce the number of rods while at the same time giving you more options to consider with your spinning and baitcaster reels that are in your tackle box or storage box.

And if you get a backlash just switch out baitcasters which can be easier than sitting there picking at your line while your buddy continues to fish.

Give this method a few tries this year and let us know what you think and if it is helpful to you.

[Minuteman]

I fished out of small jon up until recently. At the time I had only 1 rod over 6' and stopped taking that with me because it was too long. Another thing I did was to wear a fishing vest like fly fisherman wear. I would load the pockets up with any tackle that fits. I even had to re sew some of the pockets because they kept tearing out (it was a real cheap vest)

I had one of them Berkley Rod brackets with the foam cutouts in them mounted between the bench seats (-$10).

 Of course, don't skimp on safety gear. It is even more important in smaller boats.

[bassboy1]

Usually we will have 3 rods.  Never more than 4 from that boat.  And, we will have one 3 tray tackle box and a small cooler.  Just, while driving the rods get on the way, and we haven't found a good way to put them in.  

[timmyswetarded]

can you not fit them in your car or truck?

[Long Mike]

With a small boat you need to maximize the available space. Considere using a milk-crate and storing your rods vertically

.

[mercury89]

Long Mike, that is a great little rig for a small boat. I should make one for myself.

And when you're done fishing just through that in the truck and you're all set ;D

[SteveFinMD]

Long Mike,

Very ingenious....looks good!

[ladyflyfisher]

I know this is an old topic, but I was hoping Long Mike could answer a couple questions about his fish finder set-up.  

Mike, when you clamp this on boat do you clamp it on the transom?  If you do does it stay on when use the big motor?  

I'm thinking about mounting on transom and then moving the pole with the sensor on it to the front side of the boat when I troll.

Does the sensor have to be lined up with the length of the boat? Or does not it really matter?

Great set up.  

Thanks,

Mary

[Grey Wolf]

WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You might want to PM him to get your answers.

[Long Mike]

ladyflyfisher, yes I clamp it to the transom.  I don't have a big motor on my raft, but I would guess that it would not stay attached at any speed over 5 MPH.  As for the orientation of the transducer, it will make no difference because transducer signals are in the shape of a cone.

[ladyflyfisher]

Thanks.  I am making holder out of alum. tube.  I was thinking of adding a little hook on the transom for the pole to catch on.  Something like one half of a cleat.  I've never had a fishfinder before so I'm still playing with ideas.  I have an old lowe's big jon.  I'm slowly fixing things to make it a better fishing boat.  

Last year the big motor (25 horse) didn't run right.  This year I've got the motor working great, added a bigger trolling motor, and now I bought a fish finder!

[Dean]

I cram so much gear in my 12 footer it ain't even funny. When the boat sinks do to too much weight, I'll laugh! ;D

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

My 12 is designed for maximum neatness (removing clutter from floor)

We still just lay the rods on the gunnel or bench seats.

During transport, they go in the car or truck.

I'm looking into buying a truck this week.  I plan to mount 8 rod holders at 90 degree angles, along the base of the bed where it meets the cab.  This is how we carried the saltwater Tuna rods in my buddy's truck.  It keeps them separated, safe and it looks pretty cool too.  Pics to follow when I finally get the new truck.

[71Rig]

I run a Lowe 1438 and still have the bench seats installed with pedestals mounted on top plus a deck (low) in the center and a raised deck in the front.  When running I put the rods in some 1.25 inch PVC pieces that are screwed into the vertical of the bench seats.  This keeps them out of the way as long as all baits are secured WELL.  When I'm sitting up front I will sometimes keep a backup bait in the vertical holder behind me.  When fishing two to the boat we will keep the rods along the side straddling the two benches.  

I have had up to 4 rods each (fishing one each with three in reserve each) and had little trouble with it.  Just have to mind your feet and remember that the water is only inches away when you take out another man's favorite flipping stick tip.

Was thinking about adding a small section of 2-3" PVC on each side as a rod tip protector for each side but haven't lost a tip yet...famous last words ;D.

 

[71Rig]

Pic didn't post...

[James Heddon]

PVC Pipe cut in two foot lengths.

[Wilson]

I have been using the milk crate for a few years now and works execelent.  I am alwas finding new ways to add to it and update it.. It is used a lot fo kayak fishing and canoe and now have 2 in my jonboat it works execelent.  I have been fishing and using it nad people ask me where to get them and i tell them I made it and they dont wanna go to the hassle and make one or find the milk crates and offer me to to buy mine for crazy prices so I sell it and make another and get all the supplies easy as I am a farmer and have tons of the milk crates. so there is alwas ways to add to it and just make it how you need and want it and make it your own personal set up and have fun with it.  also it is good in the way of portable and I sometimes use it to bank fish and hold all my gear and when I am bobber or minnow fishing I use it to hold my poles while I wait and I jsut watch the end on the rod ( much better then those holders you stick in the ground and go in the watter along with your pole when you hget a fish. anyways have fun with it.