This could go in the FW or SW section: I'm looking for a rod holder setup for a bay boat used in both fresh and saltwater. Striper, flounder, drum, etc. Drifting and trolling.
I've used a couple different styles in the past - driftmaster the most. I can't "junk" this boat up like a dedicated rig, everything has to easily be removed. There are a lot of different options out there. I'm leaning toward a gimbal mount rod tree with tube style rod holders. I like that they use the existing flush mount rod holders with no drilling, and lift right out. On a buddy's boat we used mounting plates and a trolling bar across the stern, but I'm not sure if that's necessary. What are the tradeoffs between a tube-style and a cradle-style/ driftmaster? Seems like the tube style positions the rods further out away from the boat, but I've seen inexperienced anglers struggle getting the rod out with certain style cradle holders. I need a versatile system that's fully adjustable and easily removed, but I'm not going to run a ton of rods. 6-8 at most.
Maybe this style:
or this style on a gimbal mount:
I've used a couple different styles in the past - driftmaster the most. I can't "junk" this boat up like a dedicated rig, everything has to easily be removed. There are a lot of different options out there. I'm leaning toward a gimbal mount rod tree with tube style rod holders. I like that they use the existing flush mount rod holders with no drilling, and lift right out. On a buddy's boat we used mounting plates and a trolling bar across the stern, but I'm not sure if that's necessary. What are the tradeoffs between a tube-style and a cradle-style/ driftmaster? Seems like the tube style positions the rods further out away from the boat, but I've seen inexperienced anglers struggle getting the rod out with certain style cradle holders. I need a versatile system that's fully adjustable and easily removed, but I'm not going to run a ton of rods. 6-8 at most.
Maybe this style:
or this style on a gimbal mount:
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