Rod Holder Install location

Hello. I've got a few attwood rod holders to use for crappie/striper/general fishing, and not sure where the best place to mount them. I have a 2003 Bass Tracker 185.


Front Deck - wooden deck
- Not sure if the gunwale gets in the way here, since the rod holder is about 6" tall

Back Deck - Aluminum deck
- Not sure if the gunwale gets in the way here, since the rod holder is about 6" tall

Gunwale - Top of it
- Not crazy about this, as I think it's unsightly, even with the rod holder removed (the mount stays)

Gunwale - side
- I don't have a versatrack, so I would have to get an L bracket to side mount, but I could remove the L bracket and rod holder when not using them and get them out of the way.


I've attached a few pictures of my front deck (wooden), back deck (thin aluminum with foam underneath) and then 2 sample ways of attaching to the gunwale (I don't have versatrack, so I'll be drilling holes into the side of the gunwale)

Thoughts/Opinions for those that have done it before? Any pros/cons of any location?

Thanks!

I bolted them to my storage lockers on either side. But, I'm not opposed to bolting something through the side of the boat as long as it's above the water line. A little marine adhesive under the screw head and a lock nut on the inside.

Those are nice rod holders. I like the idea of mounting them on top of the gunnel. I know you don't want to see the mounts along the gunnel. OK, don't laugh, but how about putting the mounts under the gunnel. When you remove the rod holder all you will see is 3 round bolt heads that hold the mount and the hole where the rod holder goes into the mount.

I have flush mounts on my boat, but they are Scotty's and a lot different than the style you have.

That's a helluva good idea Ldubs has. You could even countersink the holes and use flush head cap screws. Use the mount as a drill guide and drill a clearance hole in the center for the rod holder. Be a slick install.

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Not sure I understand.

Is the recommendation/thought to bolt the base on the underside of the gunwale overhang (on outside of boat), drill a hole through the top of the gunwale, and then place the rod portion of the rod holder through the gunwale and screw it into the mount?

Won't that cause a massive hole for water to get into?
Won't that leave out the nut that's required to properly secure it so it doesn't turn?

You can still use the jam nut to secure the rod holder. It will just tighten against the gunwale.

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The hole only needs to be big enough for the rod holder

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My thinking was as followings. Looking at your pic below, instead of having the mount on top of the gunnel where the blue tape is, put it under the gunnel where the blue tape is. Then be guided by Weldor's comments about mounting, etc. Should work well, I think. I do have to admit I thought the inside of the boat is where you left hand is. But either way, it is another option that could work.

I like the option of "hidden", but that means I'll be drilling a total of 4 holes per holder. I'd like to drill as few as possible.

So, I am doing a DIY, and thinking of going with the side mount, since I'll only have to drill 2 holes rather than 3 or 4.

"X" is where I would mount


Made out of 6063 Aluminum Bar, 1" x 3/4", by 2.5" long.


Question:
Since I won't be able to put a nut on the other end, what is the appropriate type screw to use in this case? What size screw?
I dont know what's on the other side of the metal within the gunwale.

All thoughts are appreciated.

What about some sort of c clamp? Screw the mount to a piece of aluminum and clamp it on. No holes in boat and removable for storage or other types of fishing.

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Weldorthemagnificent said:

What about some sort of c clamp? Screw the mount to a piece of aluminum and clamp it on. No holes in boat and removable for storage or other types of fishing.

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Click to expand...

Ya, I have thought of that, but they're a bit unsightly, and the gunwale is 5" across, and most don't fit.

I have a 2002 PT185 I just saved up and went with the Spyderloks and extra bases; I can move them around based on Catfishing / Striper or Crappie fishing.

Here a couple of pics Spyderloks and homemade mounted to pipe flange on my small rig.

I use four of those for trolling.

I've had them in several configurations.

1. Two on the front deck, on either side about where it ends, and two on the rear deck, just to the outside of the outboard. In this case, the front rods sit perpendicular to the boat (straight out), and the rear rods point straight back.
2. All four on the back deck. Same config, just closer together. I prefer this now when fishing solo, don't have to book it across the boat if I hook a fish, all are at arms reach while sitting on the back deck.

Alternatively, if you have a drill bit big enough, you could probably drop a rivnut in the gunnel that is the same thread pitch as your rod holder shank. Then just screw them in. I forget what thread pitch those rod holders are, but I think they're just 3/8.

Another possible option. They make a side (gunnel) mount for the sure grip rod holders. Part num 5070-3.

Maybe this is a better mounting option for ya; I found this in a forum, cant remember where though.