How to Choose the Right Rod Holders

Not all rod holders are made equal – choosing the right holder can be the difference between a caught fish and a lost rod. Adam Clancey talks us through one of the most essential pieces of kit...

There’s a bit of a standing joke among anglers that Rod is the best fisherman in the boat. This is, of course, referring to the unattended rod holder. While this is clearly said in jest, rod holders can be great fishing companions at times. There are a large number of types and styles of rod holders now available for boat, kayak and landbased anglers and setting them up properly can assist in catching more fish, as well as help you avoid the embarrassing scenes of rods flying over the side.

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The very basic PVC pipe riveted to the side of a small tinnie with plumbing clips is the most basic form of rod holder. While these do work, over time they become brittle and eventually break. They are also only appropriate for lighter gear.

Landbased fishing

Shore based anglers have a few options when it comes to rod holders. Quite often it is a convenient hole in some concrete or a wharf pile that does the job. Propping your rod up in rocky areas can be tough and if you don’t use a rock spike, you risk damaging the butt of your rod. If a big fish jumps on, there would also be a lot of pressure on the lower part of the rod, which could break it. Unlike rock spikes, beach spikes are generally longer and have a wide-angled plate. This is because you need to push them quite deep into sand and the wider profile stops allows them to stay upright. Beach spikes eliminate the need to lie your surfcaster down in sand and sea water when rigging or baiting up, and they also allow you to fish with multiple rods.

How to Choose the Right Rod Holders

A beach spike is a vital piece of equipment for surfcasting. 

Boat fishing

Most boats these days come with multiple rod holders. Some are designed to just offer safe storage options for your rods while travelling. Rocket launchers, named for their resemblance to the military rocket launcher, are an example of this. These are usually fitted along the roof line of boats and are for keeping the rods out of the way, as well as for providing some protection from sea spray. A common mistake anglers make is leaving their sinkers and lures attached to rods in the rocket launcher. If the weight is constantly smashing against the blank of the fishing rod, this can cause damage.

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How to Choose the Right Rod Holders

It pays to protect the butt of your rods, especially those that have the blank exposed.

There are many high-quality plastic rod holders on the market today. These are great because they offer mounting options all around the boat with removable mounts and variable heights and angles. The benefit of this type of rod holder is that it can be set up to point in the direction of the current and fished flatter to eliminate any bow in the line caused by wind. Being made of quality plastic, they also won’t suffer from corrosion.

It’s important that you make sure your rod holders are fit for purpose. For example, if you are trolling from a rod holder, it’s best to use a holder with a gimble pin so the gimble nock on your rod can engage with the pin and prevent the rod from spinning. Serious trout jiggers have their rod holders mounted flat so they can let the action of the boat impart action on their lures, and most have a quick release strike system so they can just lift the rod when they get a bite.

Metal rod holders are the most common but they vary in price. The general boating type are fine for most applications but if you are game fishing or deep-water fishing with electric reels, a high-quality rod holder is a must. It should also be mounted firmly with a mounting plate to sustain the pressure that a big game fish might apply on heavy tackle.

How to Choose the Right Rod Holders

Electric reels are generally fished in the rod holder so the holder needs to be tough and reliable. 

When mounting rod holders, think about the angles that will most suit your style of fishing. Rod holders mounted on the stern of the boat are usually best set flat so they go straight out the back of the boat. Rod holders mounted on the gunnels are best angled out at about 45 degrees so they don’t swing the line under the boat, and avoid the stern rod holders. If you can set your rods so they are not too upright this helps protect your rod and assists with hook-ups. If running flat type rod holders so your rods are horizontal, it’s a good idea to use a safety line as these can get pulled out of the boat when a fish bites.

How to Choose the Right Rod Holders

Set up your rod holders to keep rods clear of each other.

Fishing with the rod in the holder can be very useful when bait fishing or livebaiting as you can set out multiple baits and keep an eye on all of them. Rod holders are essential when trolling as they keep lures spread out and also allow you to set the hook easily. Let’s be honest as fishermen: there is no better sight than a rod in the holder getting a screaming strike.

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April - 2020 - Adam Clancey

New Zealand Fishing News Magazine.
Copyright: NZ Fishing Media Ltd.
Re-publishing elsewhere is prohibited

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