Not all holders are created equal and picking the right one can make the difference between a fish caught and a rod lost.
There are a variety of types and styles available for boats, kayaks and shore anglers, and the right setup can help you get more fish and avoid the humiliating scenes of rods flying over the side.
Fishing From Shore
Fishermen who fish from shore have a couple of alternatives. Frequently, it's a basic opening in concrete or a stake on the dock that does the job. In rocky areas, it can be hard to support the rod, and on the off chance that you don't utilize a rock stake, you risk damaging the butt. Additionally, if a big fish jumps on, there would be a ton of tension on the lower part, which could break it.
Fishing From A Boat
Most boats these days are equipped with various rod holders. Some are intended to simply provide a secure storage option for your rods while underway. An illustration of this is the rocket launchers, which get their name from their similarity to the tactical rocket launcher. These are normally positioned along the roofline of boats and are utilized to keep rods out of the way.
There are numerous top notch stainless steel rod holders available today. These are great because they offer mounting choices around the boat with removable brackets and variable heights and angles. The benefit of these types of holders is that they can be set up to point toward the current and fished shallower to avoid a bow in the line caused by wind. Since they are made of 316 marine grade stainless steel, they don't experience the ill effects of corrosion.
It is imperative to ensure that your rod holders are fit for purpose. For instance, it is ideal to utilize one with a universal joint pin so that the universal joint cam on your rod can engage with the pin and keep the bar from turning. Serious trout anglers have theirs mounted flat so they can transfer the action of the boat to their lures, and most have a quick release system so they can easily lift the rod when they get a bite.
When mounting holders, consider the angles that best suit your fishing style. Holders that mount to the stern of the boat are usually best set flat so that they stick straight out from the stern of the boat. Those mounted on the gunnels are best set at an angle of about 45 degrees outward, so that they do not swing the line under the boat, and avoid those mounted on the stern. If you can adjust your rods so they are not too upright, this will help secure your rod and make hooking easier. If you use shallow holders so that your rods are horizontal, it is a good idea to use a safety line as they can be pulled out of the boat if a fish bites.
Fishing this way can be very useful when bait fishing or livebaiting, as you can set out different baits and watch out for every one of them. Rod holders are fundamental when trolling as they keep the baits apart and also allow you to set the hook without any problem.