Fishing rod holders are very important to have on a boat, in the garage, and in a vehicle. A common type of fishing rod holders are flush mount holders that are built into the boat. These are installed at 15, 30, or 90-degree angles and are commonly used to hold rods while trolling. External rod holders can be secured with a deck mount, side mount, rail mount, gear track, or can even be clamped onto the boat. Rod holder orientation can typically be adjusted so the rod is pointing in the desired direction.
The importance of fishing rod holders on a boat is often taken for granted. If you get on a boat without rod holders it becomes quite apparent how frequently rod holders are used. Without rod holders, rods are laying on the floor of the boat. This can cause the rods and reels to get broken and is also a tripping hazard to people on the boat. When trolling, rod holders are basically required as continuously holding a rod is extremely difficult. Also, it is very common to troll with more than one rod. Even when drift fishing it nice to be able to secure a rod in the holder and relax or do other tasks.
Fishing rod racks are also important on a boat. While traveling on a boat the fishing rods are typically taken out of the side rod holders and placed in rod racks or rocket launcher rod holders inside the boat. This prevents the rods from getting splashed or falling overboard. Rod storage racks are also important when storing the rods at home or in a garage. This article will cover the most commonly used rod holders.
Here Are the Best Fishing Rod Holders
1. Scotty 231 Fishing Rod Holder
| Estimated Price | $18-$32 |
| Color | Black, Gray, White |
| Mount | Deck and Side |
The Scotty 231 is a very popular widely used rod holder. This is an elevated deck mount that can also be side mounted. When side-mounted the holder is secured in the second grooved hole that is perpendicular to the standard hole. Screws, bolts, or a backing plate to install the mount are not included.
This holder and mounting bracket are made from fiber-reinforced nylon. The holder is secured in grooves to determine the horizontal position. In the vertical position, a side knob can tighten the holder to have the rod point down, flat, or upward.
The mount is the Scotty 241 side deck mounting bracket and the holder is the Scotty 229 power lock rod holder. These can be purchases together or separately. Other mounts include flush deck mounts, gear-head track, square rail mount, and portable clamp mount. A triple rod holder board can also be added to a 241 deck mount to hold three-rod holders.
This rod holder cradle design will hold most conventional and baitcasting fishing reels. It has a front locking ring to secure the rod when running. I do run fast with rods in this type of holder and never use the front lock. When trolling the rods stay secure in the holder without the lock. In my experience, the front lock is just one more step and it is easier to use the holder without it.
2. Scotty Rod Holder with Square Rail Mount
| Estimated Price | $25-$32 |
| Color | Black |
| Mount | Square Rail Mount |
The Scotty 282 is a popular rod holder for square rails commonly found on pontoon boats. This holder consists of the Scotty 279 rod-holder with a Scotty 243 square rail mount. This mount is intended to work with 1-1/4 square tubing. If the tubing is smaller shims can be added or a clamp-style holder can be used.
The 279 rod-holder is designed to work with baitcasting reels and spinning reels. When using a baitcasting reel it works like most rod holders and a rubber strap can be placed over top but is not really needed. It is unique to have a cradle style rod holder to work with spinning reels. To use the rod holder with spinning reels the reel is placed under the holder and the rubber strap is used to hold the fishing rod. A spincast reel with a trigger would be secured the same way as a spinning reel.
3. Scotty 282 Kayak Fishing Rod Holder
| Estimated Price | $24-$40 |
| Color | Black |
| Mount | Gear Track |
The Scotty 282 is a gear track fishing rod holder that works well on kayaks. It is comprised of three parts, the 440-4 low profile track, 438 gear-head track adapter, and the Scotty 279 rod-holder. The low profile track is 4 inches in length but 1-inch and 8-inch tracks are also available. Screws may or may not come with the holder. Stainless-steel screws, stainless-steel rivets, or bolts with well nuts can be used to secure the gear track to the watercraft.
The video below shows the rod holder mounted on a kayak. It also shows how to secure baitcasting and spinning reel in the holder.
4. Cannon Adjustable Rod Holder
| Estimated Price | $99 |
| Color | Aluminum Finish |
| Mount | Deck or Track |
This Cannon dual axis adjustable rod holder is very quality. This is a rocket launcher style holder that is 10-inches in depth. Pressing a level down allows the base to spin 360 degrees in the horizontal position. There are 6 vertical positions that are lowered with the grip lever and raided by pulling anywhere on the holder.
The rod holder can be deck mounted with 4 screws or bolts. Mounting tracks can be installed to hold the rod holder. The track can also hold a fixture to mount a downrigger. Track sizes are 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 inches. Thumb-screws secure the rod holder anywhere along the track. The video below shows the rod holder installed with the track system.
5. Scotty Rocket Launcher Rod Holder
| Estimated Price | $35-$52 |
| Color | Stainless Steel Finish |
| Mount | Sold Separately |
This Scotty 469 is a 9-inch stainless steel rocket launcher style rod holder. It does not come with a base but is compatible with all Scotty rod holder bases. The Scotty 241 deck mounting bracket is the most commonly used mount.
The rod holder has a pin in the bottom to properly secure rods that have a gimbal base. A gimbal rod butt has two slots that allow a rod to be held upright or horizontal in a rod holder. If the rod has a standard butt cap a rod with a conventional reel might turn up-side as the boat rocks back and forth.
6. Scotty 479 Rocket Launcher Rod Holder
| Estimated Price | $19 |
| Color | Black |
| Mount | Sold Separately |
This Scotty 479 is a rocket launcher style rod holder. It is 9 inches in length and made with a corrosion-free nylon composite. A mounting bracket is not included. Good options are the Scotty 241 deck mount, Scotty 244 flush deck mount, Scotty 440-4 low profile track, Scotty 243 square rail mount, and Scotty 449 rod holder portable clamp.
This rocket launcher style rod holder works well with conventional rods, baitcasting rods, and spinning rods. It is best to have a rod with a gimbal butt to prevent the rod from rotating in the holder. Spinning reels hang below the holder so a gimbal butt is not as important.
7. Brocraft Adjustable Rod Holder Rocket Launcher
| Estimated Price | $26 |
| Color | Black and Silver Aluminum |
| Mount | Deck and Side |
Brocraft is an adjustable rocket launcher style rod holder. This is very similar to the Scotty 469 but is connected around the middle of the tube with a nylon cover. The fixture can be deck mounted or side-mounted. Brocraft also makes a rod holder mount that fits on square and round rails.
Stainless steel mounting hardware is included. The rod holder can be used in freshwater and saltwater. It is important to rinse the holder with freshwater after saltwater use. The base has grooves that allow the holder to be positioned with a 360-degree rotation. The side knob locks the vertical position in 12 positions that can be down, flat, and upward. There is a locking pin within the base to work with gimbal rod bases.
8. Scotty 240 Striker Boat Rod Holder
| Estimated Price | $50 |
| Color | Black and Stainless Steel |
| Mount | Deck and Side |
The Scotty 240 Striker rod holder is great for large reels. The traditional cradle rod holders are great for average size reels but lack support for large reels and high torque.
This Striker rod holder works with all the Scotty base mounts. Having the front support placed far forward offers greater rod support. The reel is oriented over that base which allows the reels handle to be easily reached. Rocket launcher style holders move the reel further forward making it harder to reel and cause more torque at the base of the rod holder.
The holder is also great to hold rods that have round butts rather than gimbal butts. Often times to get a rod holder that can be used to reel up halibut and work with large game fish a custom rod holder needs to be made. This is a great rod holder for conventional reels. The rear support also rotates which makes it quick and easy to place and remove the rod.
9. YakAttack Omega Pro Kayak Rod Holder
| Estimated Price | $30-$40 |
| Color | Black |
| Mount | Track |
YakAttack Omega Pro is a rod holder that is commonly used with kayaks. The track style mount is similar to the Scotty 282. The Kayak mount track is sold separately and comes in 4, 8, 12, and 16-inch lengths. YakAttack has various other accessories that can be mounted to the rail including cleats, tie-downs, paddle holders, flags, and fish finder mounts.
The Omega Pro can hold any type of rod and does a better job and holding spinning rods than most other cradle style rod holders. The pro version has an extended section between the rail mount and rod holder. This helps to elevate the reel which is nice when fishing on a kayak.
10. Cannon Boat Rod Holders
| Estimated Price | $20 |
| Color | Black |
| Mount | Side Track |
This setup consists of Woodlander Outdoors side rail mounting brackets with Cannon rod holders. The brackets are made entirely out of aluminum and are made in the USA. The mounts work well in LUND Sport Tracks and other side rail track mounts.
11. Wise Side Mount Rod Holders
| Estimated Price | $23 |
| Color | Black and White |
| Mount | Side |
The Wise rod holders come in a twin pack. These are made with co-polymer high-impact plastic. The mounts can only be mounted from the side and not the top deck. The mounts and rod holders will not fit well with other brands such as Scotty since each brand had different size parts. The screws to attach the side mount to the boat are not included. Spinning reels, baitcasting reels, and conventional reels can all be used with these rod holders.
12. Croch C-Clamp Fishing Rod Holders
| Estimated Price | $32 |
| Color | Black and Steel |
| Mount | C-Clamp |
The Croch clamp style fishing rod holder comes in packs of two. It has an opening of 1.97 inches. The holder can thread onto the clamp in two locations. This makes it so the clamps can mount to horizontal or vertical surfaces. Once mounted the holder can rotate 360 degrees. The rod holder works best for conventional, spincast, and baitcasting reels. It can be clamped to a boat, canoe, kayak, railing, or dock.
13. Plusinno Clamp Style Rod Holders
| Estimated Price | $40 |
| Color | Black and Steel |
| Mount | C-Clamp, Deck, Side, Rail |
Plusinno fishing rod holders can be used with a wide variety of bases. There are two different style C-clamps one has a 1.97-inch opening and the wider clamp has a 4.75-inch opening. Both of which can be mounted horizontal or vertical. There are also deck mount and rail mount options. The holder is made with a strong thermoplastic material. These come as individual holders or in packs of two.
14. Eagle Claw Clamp-on Aluminum Boat Rod Holder
| Estimated Price | $32 |
| Color | Black |
| Mount | Clamp |
This Eagle Claw rod holder has a clamp adjustment screw. It has a max opening of 1.8 inches with a height of 2.625 inches. This holder can be secured to a railing, vertical edge of an aluminum boat or canoe. It is made of high-impact plastic. The rod holder can swivel 360 degrees horizontally and has an adjustment knob to secure the angle the rod is pointing.
15. Scotty 265 Fly Fishing Rod Holder
| Estimated Price | $25 |
| Color | Black |
| Mount | Deck |
This Scotty rod holder is specifically designed for fly fishing rods and reels. It has a 241 side deck mount with a 265 fly rod holder. There is a rubber safety strap to ensure the rod does not come out of the holder.
Rock launcher rod holders do not work well with fly rods since fly rods have a short rod base after the reel. This also makes most cradle style rod holders not work with fly rods. Granted in most cases fly rods are being held. When trolling or setting the rod down to steer the boat placing the rod in a holder can be very convenient.
16. Amarine Stainless Clamp Fishing Rod Holder for Boat Rail
| Estimated Price | $68 |
| Color | Stainless Steel |
| Mount | Rail |
Amarine rail mount rod holders are secured to existing rails commonly found on boats. The inside of the holder has a rubber layer to protect the fishing rod. There are holes in the bottom to allow water to drain. It is made to be used with rails that are 7/8 inch to 1 inch in diameter.
I have used these rod holders before. The holder does secure tightly to the rail. There is not cross bolt in the bottom to allow the rod to remain straight when using gimbal bases. However, the small tube diameter with rubber insert does typically keep the pole pointed in the desired direction.
17. Amarine Tournament Style Fishing Rod Holder
| Estimated Price | $56 |
| Color | Stainless Steel |
| Mount | Rail |
Amarine tourmate style rod holders secure to the rails of boats. These are made to fit 1-1/4 to 2-inch diameter horizontal or vertical rails. The mount and holder are made with 304 stainless steel.
These are similar to the rail mount holders above except these are for larger rails. Also, these have a pin within the base of the holder to lock-in and prevent a gimbal butt fishing rod from rotating. The angle of the rod holder can be placed in 32 different positions and is then secured with an inside screw. It is secured to the rail by tightening two screws. A white rubber insert helps protect the rod from damage from the stainless steel.
18. C.E. Smith Flush Mount Rod Holder
| Estimated Price | $85-$140 |
| Color | Stainless Steel |
| Mount | Flush mount |
C.E. flush mount rod holders are made from Stainless Steel. These are mounted within the boat and are considered built-in rod holders. The holder mounts flush and the angle of the rod holder can be 0, 15, and 30 degrees. A zero degree mount will hold the rod vertical while a 30-degree mount will hold the rod at a 60-degree angle.
The depth of the holder is 9-inches with and inside diameter is 1-5/8 inches. There is a white vinyl layer to protect the rod from the bare metal. It also has a gimbal bar to prevent rods from rotating that have a keyed gimbal base.
19. Amarine Flush Mount Rod Holders
| Estimated Price | $40 |
| Color | Stainless Steel |
| Mount | Flush mount |
Amarine flush mount rod holders are made with stainless steel. A rubber gasket protects the surface where the holder is mounted to the boat. These are a great value and come with four rod-holders per set. The holders are made to be built into the boat with 30-degrees or 0-degree mounting angles.
A 2-inch installation hole allows them to be set and secured with three number 12 screws. A rubber cap helps prevent rain and splashing water to get passed through the holders and into the hull of the vessel. The length of the tubes are around 9-inches. A gimbal pin is at the base of the holder to secure the road and prevention if from rotating while trolling.
20. Flush Mount Fishing Rod Holders for Kayaks
| Estimated Price | $13-$16 |
| Color | Black |
| Mount | Flush mount |
Anndason flush mount rod holders are made for kayaks. The tubes are 1.57 inches in diameter and 7.5 inches in length. These are made to be built into the kayak and secured with three mounting screws. Two holders come in a set. Bass Pros Shops has a similar kayak rod holder.
These are made with high-quality plastic and have a rubber cap to prevent water entry. These do not have a bolt to work with gimbal rods. This tube style rod-holder does work well with spinning rods. Anndason also makes cleats and carry handles for kayaks.
21. Fishing Rod Holder Outriggers for Trolling
| Estimated Price | $64-$270 |
| Color | Stainless Steel |
| Mount | Rod Holder |
These Amarine outriggers are made for trolling. The holders are 14-inches tall and are keyed to secure into the gimbal bolt of a rod holder. These are made with stainless steel and have a 1-1/2 inch outer diameter. This means the rod holder needs to have a diameter of 1-1/2 inches or greater. There is a vinyl liner to protect the rod from getting damaged by the steel edges. The rod is inclined at a 20-degree angle from the water surface. Bass Pro Shops and Tackle Direct have similar outrigger rod holders. Personally I like the ones that are painted white.
Outrigger Style rod holders work great when trolling. Most built-in rod holders point the rod to the stern of the boat. These holders point the rods to the sides of the boat helping to get the lures away from the wake of the boat. The alternatives to rod holder outriggers are actual outriggers or planner boards. These do not get lures as far to the side as other methods. However, these are quick and easy to use. Another big advantage is the line is not placed in a clip as is done with outriggers and planners. When a line releases from a clip it becomes slack in the line. With outrigger rod holders there is no slack and is the easiest way to troll with four lines.
22. Adjustable Outrigger Fishing Rod Holders
| Estimated Price | $32 |
| Color | White and Aluminum |
| Mount | Rod Holder |
Monkey Jack outriggers are made for trolling. These are made with ABS plastic and aluminum. The holder is 18 inches tall and has a 1-2/5 outer tube diameter. Two outriggers come in the set.
The cradle-style rod holder can be adjusted by tightening a knob. This is a good option to use if the rods do not have gimbal butts. It the rods do have gimbal bases I prefer the rocket launcher style rod holder outriggers.
23. Eat-My-Tackle 3-Rod Rocket Launcher
| Estimated Price | $160 |
| Color | Aluminum |
| Mount | Rod Holder |
This Eat My Tackle rod holder fixture converts one rod-holder into three rod-holders. These are rocket-launcher style holders and the two outside holders have pins to work with gimbal rod butts. The fixture is placed into and existing rod holder and has a keyed end to secure into a rod holder with a gimbal pin.
The holder is 25 inches tall and 18 inches wide. It is a popular holder to use when kite fishing for sailfish and tuna. Each individual holder has a rubber liner to prevent the rods from getting damaged by metal tubes. This is a strong welded rod holder and has a 5-year limited warranty.
24. Scotty Downrigger Boom Rod Holder
| Estimated Price | $26 |
| Color | Black |
| Mount | Downrigger Boom |
This is a number 355 Scotty Rodmaster II downrigger boom rod holder. It can fit on 3/4 inch and 1-inch rails. The rod holder tube length is 10 inches. It is made with fiber-reinforced nylon. There is a gimbal pin to prevent the rod from rotating. The gimbal pin can be removed to allow the rod to pass through the tube.
When fishing with downriggers it is nice to have a rod holder that points to the side of the boat. Often time downriggers are stacked with two rods so having a holder on the boom can be very helpful. Many Scotty downriggers will come with the holder but if this is not the case or a replacement is needed the Rodmaster is an option. Securing the holder close to the base of the downrigger makes it easier to reach the rod.
25. Millennium Marine Spyder Fishing Rod Holder
| Estimated Price | $125-$170 |
| Color | Anodized Aluminum |
| Mount | Deck |
This Millennium Marine Spyderlok rod holder is made for spider fishing for crappie. The fixture has four-rod holders. It has a 12 inch to 20-inch height adjustment crossbar to allow the rods to be within arms reach. Both the crossbar and rod holder can swivel 360 degrees. It weighs 9-pounds and has dimensions of 24-inch by 13-inch by 3-inch.
The mounting plate secures flush to the floor of the boat. It is common to use the holder for bass boats or aluminum boats that have a deck for the mount. Spider rigging is done by drifting or slowly trolling with lines set at various depths. This is one of the most effective ways to catch crappie.
26. The Beast Sand Spike Surf Fishing Rod Holder
| Estimated Price | $47 |
| Color | White and Aluminum |
| Mount | Sand or Beach |
The Beast Sand Spike is a surf fishing rod holder. It has an aluminum base that can go 25 inches into the sand and has a total length that adjusts from 47.5 inches to 57 inches. A knee plate allows the holder to be secured without having a hammer.
When surf or beach fishing it is very common to use rod holders. This makes it so the rod does not need to be held and so that multiple lines can be fished at the same time. The Best Sand Spike is a serious rod holder that can hold large fishing rods. It is also nice when fishing near the surf as it elevates the rod to reduce the likely hood of the surf fishing reels getting splashed and full of saltwater.
27. Surf Fishing Rod Holder Sand Spike Tube
| Estimated Price | $10 |
| Color | White Plastic |
| Mount | Sand or Beach |
This Sand Spike Tube is a surf fishing rod holder. This works as a great rod holder for sand or soft ground. It is 27 inches long and it is basically a plastic pipe with a gimbal pin and has an angled end to cut into the ground. The steel center pin allows rods with gimbal bases to lock in and prevents them from rotating.
These are the most common surf fishing rod holders. The tube can be pushed into the sand and removed easily. It is lightweight and does not take up much space. When fishing from the beach this is an important tool to have. Otherwise, rods and reels end up being placed in the sand or dirt which is not good for the fishing equipment.
28. Brocraft Fishing Rod Holder Tube Rod Rack
| Estimated Price | $43 |
| Color | Black, White |
| Mount | Boat, Vehicle, or Wall |
The Brocraft fishing rod holder tube rod rack is a great way to store fishing poles in the garage or on a boat. These come with 2, 3, or 5 individual rod holders. The holders are made from a UV resistant thermoplastic. Stainless steel mount hardware is included. Slots allow spinning reels to lock into the holder. The holder also works with conventional rods and the slots can help limit rod rotation depending on the length of the rod.
The dimensions of the three tube rod-holder is 11.8 inches by 16 inches. For the larger 5 tube rod holder, the dimensions are 20.9 inches by 11.8 inches with a spacing of about 5 inches between each holder. Each tube can be mounted to the wall or a piece of wood. Typically the rack in screwed to a wall and then the holders are connected to the rack to allow some space behind the tubes. This allows for better access to the rods when placing and removing them.
29. Berkley Rod Holder Tube Rod Rack
| Estimated Price | $14-$20 |
| Color | Black, White |
| Mount | Boat, Vehicle, or Wall |
The Berkley tube rod holder can rack up to three rods. It is 12-1/2 inches wide by 10-3/4 inches tall, and 2-1/2 inches deep. The holder is one piece and made of plastic. This rod holder can be attached to the inside sidewall of a boat, or to a wall in the garage. The rack has four holes to allow screws or bolts to attach the fixture. Mounting hardware is not included. Bass Pro Shops has a similar 3 rod rack holder.
These tubes keep the rod upright but the fishing poles can rotate back and forth as there is no slot in the holder. It works well with both freshwater and saltwater rods. Color options are black or white.
30. Rush Creek Rod Holder Storage Rack for Garage
| Estimated Price | $30-$100 |
| Color | Camo, Barn Wood, Wood Grain Laminate |
| Mount | Floor |
The Rush Creek rod holder storage rack can hold up to 16 fishing rods. This rack is 13.3 inches in diameter and 3o inches tall. Rush Creek also has larger racks available that are 24 inches and 30 inches in diameter. The rod holder can be assembled very quickly and no tools are required. It is not a spindle and simply rests on the floor. This is great to use inside the house or in the garage.
31. Indoor Outdoor Rod Holder Storage Rack Stand
| Estimated Price | $185 |
| Color | White |
| Mount | Floor |
The Store Your Board rod storage rack can hold up to 24 fishing poles. In reality, it can not hold 24 rods with reels but it can hold 24 rods without reels. The problem is the reels are large and need more spacing. It is rated for outdoor use. Recycled UV resistant PVC composite is used to make the storage rack panels. The holder is made in the USA and stainless steel hardware to assemble the rack is included.
This holder can be used inside the house or outside. I would not want to store my fishing poles outside for extended periods. However, this rod holder can be left at a dock or pier to temporarily keep the gear organized. Having fishing poles laying on the ground is a good way for them to get broken.
32. Rush Creek Rod Holder Wall or Ceiling Rack
| Estimated Price | $18-28 |
| Color | Camouflage, Barn Wood, Wood Grain Laminate, Cherry |
| Mount | Wall, Ceiling |
This Ruch Creek Creations rod holder allows rods to be stored along a wall or on the ceiling. It comes in several nice-looking finishes to help match the room. The rack can hold up to 11 fishing rods. It is made with two sections that are 27 inches by 2.75 inches by 1.65 inches.
The rods are placed in the rack alternating the direction of the rod. Circular holes hold the back of the rod and cutout sections hold the tip of the rod. There are also caps that can be placed over the hole to allow rods to be stored vertically along a wall. The mounting holes are 16 inches apart which should be good for placing the mounting screws within studs in the wall or ceiling.
33. Vehicle Fishing Rod Holder Rack Belt
| Estimated Price | $18 |
| Color | Black |
| Mount | Vehicle Roof, Ceiling |
Dr. Fish rod holders are used to store fishing rods when traveling in an SUV or van. The straps can be adjusted from 29-inches to 60-inches. The front and rear straps can be conned to handles or laundry hooks. This allows for up to 7 rods to be stored. There are also screw included and the straps can be used on a ceiling. When not in use the straps can be rolled up and stored in a compact way.
It can be difficult to transport fishing rods in an SUV. One-piece rods end up being laid on the seat and this does not work well when carrying passengers. Even two-piece rods end up taking up a significant amount of room in the back of an SUV or minivan. Having the rod and reel overhead frees up significant space and helps prevent damage to the vehicle and fishing gear.
34. Engel Cooler with Rod Holders
| Estimated Price | $135 |
| Color | White, Tan |
| Mount | Cooler |
This cooler has four rod-holders attached to the side. The dimensions of the cooler are 23 inches long by 12.2 inches wide by 13.5 inches tall. It has a carry handle and weighs 7.3 pounds when empty. This works great as a cooler or as a way to keep tackle and fishing gear dry. The inside capacity is 30 quarts.
This cooler offers a great way to always have a rod holder available. Sometimes on a pier, dock, shoreline, or even on a boat, it can be difficult to find a rod holder. Often when fishing with bait the angler does not need to hold the rod. Having a rod holder available makes fishing more enjoyable and allows more than one line to be set. Keeping the rods and reels in a holder makes them less likely to get full of dirt or damaged. This cooler is a good way to always have rod holders available. If you want a bigger cooler rod holder can be screwed onto the side. Although with larger coolers it is a good idea to have a fishing cart.
35. Rod Holder Cutting Board
| Estimated Price | $150 |
| Color | White, Stainless Steel |
| Mount | Rod Holder |
This Magma Products rod holder fillet table secures into an existing rod holder. The base is keyed to work with a gimbal pin. It is FDA approved to work with food preparation. There are slots for fillet knives and fishing pliers. I use this table to cut bait on our boat and it works great.
This fillet table works great for cutting up the bait. It is 20 inches long and 12-3/4 inches wide which is small for filleting large fish. We keep a similar fillet table on our boat and it frequently comes in handy. The post rotates so it can be easily stored along the gunnel of the boat. It is best to angle the table slightly back so the slime runs over the side of the boat.
36. Fishing Rod Holder for Boat Fenders
| Estimated Price | $42 |
| Color | White, Navy Blue |
| Mount | Rod Holder |
These rod holder fixtures are made to hold boat fenders. The fender holder is placed in flush mount rod holders built into the boat. The holders allow the fender height to be easily adjusted. A 1/2 inch rope passes through the fixtures. There are groves that hold the rope right under tension. Lifting up on the rope takes it out of the groves to easily adjust the fender height. A knot on the end of the rope would make it so the rope can not pass the entire way through the fender holder.
Getting fenders in the right place can be a hassle on a boat. Sometimes cleats are not available or would be better used for tie-down ropes. This system makes getting fender out and puts way much faster. Having the height be adjustable is nice as dock heights can vary. These are made with nylon reinforced fiberglass.
37. Scotty Gimbal Rod Holder Mount for Downriggers
| Estimated Price | $70-$92 |
| Color | Black, Stainless Steel |
| Mount | Rod Holder |
This Scotty 1028 gimbal mount is a fixture that allows a downrigger to be mounted using an existing rod holder in the boat. It is 9-inches long and has a 1-1/2 inch tube. The Scotty 1029 is 12 inches long with a 1-3/4 tube. It is common to not want to drill holes in a boat to mount a downrigger. This a great way to quickly add a downrigger to the boat.
It is called a gimbal mount since the bottom of the holder is keyed to secure into the gimbal pin that is found on most rod holders. The mounting plate of the downrigger will lay flat and not rotate. It is made to work with a 30-degree rod holder, not a 15-degree or 0-degree holder. Most rod holders built into the side of the boat are at 30-degrees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you add rod holders to a kayak?
Yes, flush-mount, clamp mount, gear track, and deck mount rod holders can be added to a kayak. Anndason and Scotty both make flush mount holders. A hole is cut with a drill to allow flush mount holders to secure into the kayak. The Anndason holder is a tube that goes within the kayak. Scotty flush mount holder base is mount flush and the holder can be placed at different angles.
Gear track fishing rod holders like the Scotty 282 are great fishing rod holders for Kayaks. Placing gear tracks around the kayak allows the position of the holder to be easily changed. The nice think about the gear track holder is that no large hole needs to be drilled into the kayak. Most deck mount rod holder will also work with a kayak. Clamp mount holder work with most canoes but it is difficult to find good clamping locations on a kayak.
Where do you mount a rod holder on a boat?
On a boat, there are many ways to place rod holders. Most fiberglass boats come with several rod holders that are built-in which are also called flush mount rod holders. Fishing rod holders can be added that are flush-mounted, deck mounted, side-mounted, rail mounted, placed in a track, or secured with a clamp. The best way to secure the holder depends on the configuration of the boat.
It is also important to have a wall-mount or rocket launcher style rod holders within the boat for the number of poles being used. It is not a good idea to travel long distances with rods in the side holders of the boat. The rods could fall out or get splashed with water. Leaving them on the floor of the boat makes them likely to get damaged, wet, or stepped on. It is a good rule to never set a rod on the floor of a boat when possible.
What is the best angle for a fishing rod holder?
The best angle for flush mount rod holders is typically 30 degrees. This will place the rod pointing upward at a 60-degree angle which is good for trolling and drift fishing. For deck mount and track mount holders, the position can be adjusted based on the fishing conditions. The rod should always be pointing upward or the rod and reel could slip into the ocean.
When trolling it is also popular to point the rods off to the side and upward. The best way to achieve this is with outrigger rod holders. The rod locks into the gimbal pin in a rocket launcher style holder. This helps get the lure far to the side and away from the boats wake. The added line separation also helps to prevent lines from getting crossed and tangled.
How do you store boat rods?
In fishing boats, there are typically a few built-in rod holders to store the rods horizontally along the sides. Some bass boats even have great fishing rod storage below the floor. Often times some fishing rods are brought for casting, others for jigging, and others for trolling. It is not uncommon to have 10 or more rods on the boat when going on a serious fishing trip. Having proper rod storage is important. Placing unused rod in the side holders is not good as they could fall out and get in the way when handling a fish.
Always try and avoid placing a fishing rod on the floor. Rocker launcher holders overhead or wall-mounted storage is the best place for fishing rods not being used. When outfitting a new boat placing a large number or quality rod holder within the boat is very important. A sufficient number of rod holders should also be placed around the side of the boat to use while fishing.
What is the best bank fishing rod holder?
The most common type of bank fishing rod holder has two spikes that go into the ground and has a rod holder attached to the spikes. A classic bank rod holder is a stick that has a v-shape that is stuck into the ground. The rod butt is placed on the ground and the rod is set into the v-shape of the stick. There are telescoping bank fishing rod holders made with this v-shape design.
A surf fishing rod holder is another good option when the ground is soft. Surf fishing rod holders will not work if the ground is rock. Rod-holders can and be mounted to a board to be fished from the bank. There are also coolers that have built-in fishing rod holders. The main reason to use a bank rod holder is when the angler wants to set the rod down to relax and wait for a bite. It also allows more than one rod to be used when fishing for crappie, catfish, carp, striped bass, and many other types of fish.
How do you make a trolling rod holder?
Trolling rod holders are typically mounted flush and are installed at a 30-degree angle. Rocket launcher rod holders can also be used on the side rails, near the fighting chair, or even high on a tower on large fishing boats. When trolling the rods should be pointing up at around a 60-degree angle. This allows the angler to see when there is a bite and the rod bends to absorb shock from the initial bite.
The second important direction for a rod to point is off the side of the boat. This keeps the lures separated and away from the wake of the boat. Rod holder outriggers are a good way to achieve this side direction. It is also common to clip lines on outriggers or planer boards to get further separation. In this case, the rods are best to be pointing up and to the stern of the boat. Using any type of secure rod holder should work in this case.
What is the best rod holder or a pontoon boat?
Pontoon boats typically have square rails around the outside to keep people from falling overboard. It is common for this rail to be made of 1-1/4 inch square tubing. The Scotty 282 has a square rail mount and is the best rod holder for most pontoon boats.
If the railing is not 1-1/4 inch it is likely best to use a clamp mount rod holder. It would be possible to mount a deck mount or great track on top of the railing in some cases. Rod storage racks can be added along the walls or tube rod racks can be used to store the rods vertically when not in use.
How should a fishing rod be stored?
When rods are put away for long term storage it is important to put them away clean. After each use the fishing rod should be rinsed off with fresh water. Also, the drag should be set to a very low value. Make sure the rods are allowed to dry and are not stored in a wet or damp area. For storage in the home or garage, there are floor racks, wall racks, and ceiling racks. Keeping the gear on a rack helps keep the gear clean, tangle-free, and less likely to get damaged.
If possible it is also good to keep the rods out of direct sunlight. Monofilament fishing line breaks down from UV light and the life of the line can be longer if stored properly. Braided line and fluorocarbon are UV resistant but the rods should still be stored inside if possible.
Captain Cody has worked on charter fishing boats in the Florida Keys, Virgin Islands, and Alaska. Growing up in Pennsylvania Cody has also done extensive freshwater fishing including bass fishing tournaments. Cody strives to provide detailed information about the best fishing gear and tactics to help both novice and experienced anglers have a more productive and enjoyable time on the water. Cody also has a background in aerospace engineering and neuroscience but really only takes pride in being good at one thing and that is fishing!