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| hello, i have a 2001 ranger cherokee with a single steering console and a 75 hp merc. i have been wanting to add trolling rod holders on this boat and would like to know suggestions for placement. my thought was to put the holders just ahead of the steering console so that when i am driving the rod would be visible versus behind me as i would have to be looking back all the time. i found talking to ranger that the only place to really drill would be on the side gunwales. i am obviously concerned about lure location. any ideas would be greatly appreciated!! |
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Posts: 1137
Location: Holly, MI | If you have rails going around the front then this spot is ideal. I have them mounted up front on each side. Down Easter has a rail mount bracket. They can be angled down so the rod tip is well in the water (Down Rods). This will keep lures that don't troll well under the water but the biggest advantage for us on Lake St Clair is being weed free. We get so many floating weeds that like to travle down your line to the lure it is a problem. With the down rods I get the tip (top two feet) a foot under the floating weeds. The down Easters are strong and they release quickly. Some guys have the lure on a 4 foot leader with no line out at all. One guy I read about runs a rod out the front of the boat with the lure hitting the bottom of the boat. I'll run the wash rods and down rods before I even put out planer boards. I usually do run them 20-30 feet back however because my wash rods are only 5 feet out. |
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Posts: 87
Location: michigan | You should not have to worry about mounting your rods behind you. when trolling you should have a reel with a "clicker" you don't have to see it you will hear it loud and clear!!!! You should mount six rod holders for versatility, 2 mid ship ( make sure you can tilt them so the rod tip is in the water) 2 more just forward of the transom (out rod 90 degrees, tip not in the water but close) And 2 on each corner of the transom (rod straight down tip in the water) you do not need to run six rods but you should try different positions on each side of the boat. experiment with weights and lenght of line out. don't be afraid to fish close as lobi said, some days only the leader out will work good. If you have anymore ??? fire away. Frank |
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| thanks for your advice on the rails in the front of the boat. i am going to try and find a place to buy aftermarket rails that can adapt to rod holders. any other ideas please let me know. thanks, Eric. |
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Posts: 1137
Location: Holly, MI | Hey to ya Capt Frank!
Don't listen to me, listen to the Capt.
If you do not have rails up front you might just want the Down Easters that flat mount to the boat. I just picked up a couple of these bases and I can move my clamp on holders over to the base mounted ones. This link will show the inboard mount or what I called a flat mount. It also shows the rail mount as well as the clamp on.
http://www.down-east.com/standard_mounts.htm
I'll be mounting the inboard mounts on top of my downrigger board that goes across the back. It will be easier to reach the wash rods instead of the clamp on's at the back of the boat.
Hey Captain Frank.. Do you ever use downriggers? I plan on trying it this year when the weeds get really nasty. I was also thinking about running the shipping channel nice and deep. There has to be some hogs hiding in there.
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Posts: 87
Location: michigan | Lobi, I have tried them and caught some fish on them but they were more of a pain than they were worth. It was to hard to clear the baits when we have a fish on and I stop the boat. Beware of the channel and downriggers 5 seconds of not pating attention and snag city. Lobi have you tried the powder coated downeasters? they are great open much eaiser and look better to. Eric as for mounting them I would suggest that you look at the mounting system from Bert's custom tackle, you put the flat slide plate on your gunwale then clamp your (double c-clamp model) powder-coated downeaster rod holder to the removable t-mount from Bert's. when you are not using your rod holders you can put the step piece in the flat slide plate so it just looks clean and no trip hazards like the rails (toe catchers). cabelas carries some of berts stuff and the downeasters, you should be able to view them on-line. If you have trouble finding them give me a shout. Frank |
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Posts: 1137
Location: Holly, MI | I have not tried the Powder Coated ones yet. I did convince my fishing partner, who just bought a new 21 ft center console to buy some tho. We have not put them to use yet but will on the first weekend of June. Man that sounds like a long time away doesn't it?
If I'm carefull of the depth in the channel, am I correct that some fat girls live down there? I don't want to drag those perrywinkles or other 30 ft deep divers, too much work and stress on the equipment. I'd like to drag the cannon balls thru there. |
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| hey capt. frank! I think i want to use the track that has the insert to prevent stubbed toes. However, i dont see how the double - c clamp by downeastern is used with a "t-mount" adapter (i have not found this adapter though). Do you mean the fixed mount base by Berts? I did find the cabelas adapter plate by Berts and then i could just use cabelas 360 rod holders. Let me know if i missed something. thanks alot, Eric. |
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Posts: 87
Location: michigan | Eric, here is a picture of my rod holders with the plate, t-mount, and downeaster. hope this helps. Frank
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 MUSKIE3.jpg (147KB - 105 downloads)
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Posts: 87
Location: michigan | Eric, they changed the name of the company but I found a link for you. http://www.pursuitsports.com/product_tour2.html |
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