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| I lurk around here from time to time since I really enjoy catching the closest thing to muskies I can find--there aren't many muskies on my home lake (champlain in northern VT/NY), so I mostly fish opportunistically for pike and also bass. Consequently I end up switching rods somewhat frequently depending on where I am, conditions, etc...one minute throwing smallie lures on light spinning tackle, the next trying for a big northern with something a **bit** heavier, either on heavier conventional tackle or sometimes on a fly rod. I was out this morning, only caught a few small pike but had one really nice one follow and then spook at the boat, that might have been a personal best fish...gotta go back and hunt that one down!!
Anyway, I figured folks here would know my boat, so perhaps someone can help--I've got a 17' Lund Mr Pike that I almost exclusively cast out of, and I wind up with several rods rigged and on deck. Currently, between my trolling motor foot pedal, fishfinder, butt-seat if it's windy and 3 or 4+ rods, the deck is a mess. I'm afraid I'm going to step on a rod and break it, catch one on a lure and toss it overboard, or the like. I'd like to find a better system for on the water storage of rods than I have--which is to stuff the butt up against the bow and lean the tips over the gunwale next to the console. If I try using the other side of the deck the tips get caught up in my net, etc. Rods are getting tangled up, bounce around if I run somewhere, etc. Since a giant 9' foot long casting deck up front is not a viable solution for me, does anyone have any tips on managing the front-deck clutter in a small boat like this? I'd like to find some way to keep spare lures fairly contained, rods snugged up a bit closer to the gunwales on the bow deck, and also possibly to strap them down with a velcro strap or the like so they don't bounce--but everything I see to do this is really designed for a bass boat where the rods lie flat on the deck for their full length. Any tips, photos, suggestions, or even snide remarks and humor are very welcome. Thanks in advance!
Dave | |
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Posts: 865
| This is always a common problem with smaller boats, what I have done in the past and it seems to work fine is in the stern of your boat simply install 4 rod holders. The inexpencive white or black Tube type ones that install with 2 screws.. Now just put the rods in the tubes Vertical according to size...You can also keep your net in one on the opposite side of the stern...this works fine as long as you are casting on the bow deck. You do have to be a little carefull while casting but you'll get used to it real quick..When you need a different rod or the net just go to the stern and grag it........................Mike
Edited by cast4musky 7/21/2012 10:18 PM
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| How do you deal with a second angler in the stern? I did not mention it, but that's also fairly standard for me. | |
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Posts: 793
Location: Ames, Iowa | The main thing is to avoid the clutter that comes with throwing things on the floor cause it's convenient at the time.
Front hatch, livewell, under the console and under the bow plate are all places to store stuff not frequently used. I have a small raised casting deck up front in my 16 ft Sylvan. I have not put in a butt seat cause I think that'll just take up valuable space. I have a cargo net on the left side front wall, screwed to the floor and the front wall header and the aluminum gunnel edging where I keep my boxes for plastics and rubber, leaders, throw cushion, sunscreen, repellant and other things I want but not underfoot. I have all of my fav baits (bout 30) hung in a milk crate using 10 1/4 inch long plastic downspout to hang the baits. Its right in front of the right side single console and out of foot way. Under the bow plate I have anchor, footpedal and room for a lifejacket. Also a garmin finder mounted on the front far right floor away from feet and hooked to the universal sonar on a 55 powerdrive. Two spare rods often come up front with me while muskie fishing and lay from the top of the console pointing over the bow along the right gunnel, resting along the trolling motor if its not deployed. After a few stupid mistakes with the anchor rope and near loss of rods, I have learned to not leave baits hanging over the front of the boat. My 20 year old likes it up there when we're together and I take the stern.
My 17 year old takes the middle if all three of us are together. At that point, we are conscious of each other and the rule is we all cast the same direction. | |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | well you can all ways buy a bigger boat but if you cant do that plan on the lake your going to fish and take a handfull of baits that work well on that lake and go fish bring what you need leave every thing you dont at home i had the same problem when i used my dads boat i then bought my own boat witch was nicer then 6 years latter i bought a better boat know i have the room for all my stuff | |
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Posts: 433
Location: Cedarburg, Wisconsin | Well, seeing as I've had the same problems 40 years ago and survived them, they aren't really that much to worry about. Limit your options by concentrating on one species at a time and mainly one method to catch them. That will wipe out your clutter in no time at all and you'll probably catch more too. It worked for me. Keep a second rig stored away for just in case but make it a chore to get it out so you aren't tempted unless the first choice is a total bust. | |
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| Decorated depths colours the Xinyu want reason mailbox <a href=http://www.newstarescorts.com>shanghai escorts</a> swim in a tons of books
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Posts: 516
Location: Kildeer, IL | Take a look at this picture that was posted by Lambeau. He has a rod holder installed on an angle of his front deck. Would this help? Then you could put a velcro strap around the cork handles.
http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/board/forums/get-attachment.asp?act... | |
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Posts: 833
| I fish a 1750 Fish Hawk, so here are things I've learned:
1.) Commit to generally fishing one side of the boat. If you have a single console, this decision is already made for you. Then use the opposite side for "stuff" and keep the fishing side workstations clean.
2.) Depending on layout, I would look at some sort of horizontal rod storage. I did the vertical thing for a while, it does work, but as you stated, when the stern is occupied it just isn't as viable. It can be done though, simply apply the princple from #1 above and put it on the "non-fishing" side. Still, you better trust the stern guy to not cast "through" your rods. Horizontal, IMO, lets you stow more rods. One trick: Wrap the line from the bait to the rod tip around the guides when not in use. This will greatly decrease tangling and it take seconds to do.
Aside from that, maximize the storage your boat already has. Don't just assume that because a hatch is labeled for some use that it has to be used that way. As an example: I have this wonderous rod locker that stores up to 7' rods... that doesn't do me a lick of good because all my rods are 8'+. So I converted this into tackle storage and have a bunch of planos full of goodies in there. This literally doubles the amount of baits I can haul around without clutter. I know some guys who use their livewells as storage by simply plugging them. (or as garbage cans)
Cargo netting can be a huge help on the bow. I use this to store things like Hoodies and Jackets. Another thing you can do is hit up the local kayak shop and get some of their webbing products and create storage solutions on exposed panels, assuming you can safely put the screw into the panel at that particular location.
Just my $0.02.
Edited by Brad P 10/24/2012 2:31 PM
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Posts: 2026
| I have to rent boats when I go bass or musky fishing. As far as keeping baits handy, I bring a 5 gallon bucket to hang the baits I plan on using on and keep it by me on the casting deck. You can also store your release tools in it. If you are worried about knocking it into the water, you can drill holes about half an inch down and run a few lines of wire through it to use as bait hangers. Caulk the holes with some silicone and then you can put the cover on it so it will float, at least for a while. You can get about 10-12 baits on the wires, but plastics and long tails do get tangled up in it like this. | |
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Location: Illinois | cluttered deck - 7/21/2012 4:16 PM
If I try using the other side of the deck the tips get caught up in my net, etc. Rods are getting tangled up, bounce around if I run somewhere, etc.
This will help keep out of your way and give you extra space: http://www.maccccs.com/
A vertical rod storage system might be a solution:
http://www.attwoodmarine.com/store/product/vertical-mount-rod-holde...
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Posts: 128
| Some of these issues are fixed by changing habits, not changing things in the boat. The few seconds it takes to put rods away, or in socks, in holders, whatever, is worth taking. Time spent organizing and putting away throughout the day is saved when tangles are prevented, hooks hung up are prevented, and broken rods are prevented. | |
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Posts: 271
Location: davis,IL | Sorry for the mess, but the boat is in winter project mode ( a mess). But, check out the front deck of my Fishhawk it might give you some ideas.
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Posts: 833
| Here is a photo of my rod storage solution in a 1750 Fish Hawk. The two Tranx rods are both 9'6", the MH is 8'6". The best part of it is fact that the tips are covred by the weirdly shaped stern deck. I inserted a 2" think piece of foam underneath the panel to protect the tips. There is also a fuel hose that is cut open around the edges of the opening to further proect the rods from damage. This photo is looking at the rods from the casting deck, but you have about 5'-6' of deck with no clutter so you can stand and figure 8. One other tip for the front deck: Take out the pedestal seat. It is suprising how much space it actually takes up.
You can also see the vertical holder. I fish my rig almost universally off the port side. So gear is stored to starboard. Tackle boxes stay in the lower section and baits that need to dry are tossed in front of the console. The net is usually in the lower section as well or on the front deck. 1750 Fish Hawk has a big deck, so depending on your rig, that may or may not be viable.
Edited by Brad P 10/26/2012 12:29 PM
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