Topic: Rod Holder Advice (Read 883 times)

June 27, 2017, 08:38:05 PM

I just got a Hobie Revo 13 and im current buying all the things I need to get it on the water and fishing comfortably. One of the most important things of course would be the rod holders. I was hoping you guys could suggest some ideas of what would be a good all around rod holder for my cockpit area for halibut drifting, striper trolling, etc. So far ive been most interested in the rocket launcher type rod holders and ive thought of putting one in a scotty track adapter but would like to see if anyone has experience with other types. Also would you guys recommend a backing plate for the tracks?

June 27, 2017, 09:46:13 PM #1

I would recommend using a backing plate for your tracks. The Revo has easy access to the inside of the hull (once you temporarily remove some of the foam blocks) which makes it easy to put the plate in place. Once you get the bolts threaded (the two end bolts) the rest of the install is super easy and really reinforces the track. I personally would avoid ball mounted rod holders if you are planning on trolling for stripers, even when you tighten them down as much as possible they still tend to slip on the ball if pulled hard enough, i.e. BIG striper. If you cant find a rocket launcher style that is not ball mounted scotty, stealth, railblaza all make good options. Also think about a rod holder that is elevated so the rod butt is out of the way so you can pedal. Just my 2 cents.

June 27, 2017, 10:33:33 PM #2

Scotty makes a really rod holder that can be used with YakAttack GT90 metal tracks and is attached with YakAttack Mighty Bolts. It's easy to take on and off and with the metal backing plate for the 6 or 12" GT90 tracks is a very stable and strong platform to mound your Scotty rod mounts.
I ended up buying the kit that makes it easy to pull up the backing plate with strings with strings and easily bot on the additional bolts to the track.
I also installed a Scotty Flush mount on the Revo and had to make a few alterations to the one piece backing plate (like taking off some of the corners so that it will fit flush from under the Revo 13).
You can also get these really strong Scotty rod holder extenders that are made of stainless steel.
Aloha,
da Bruddah

June 27, 2017, 11:07:11 PM #3

Hey I'll text you back tomorrow during normal hours about the tracks. I have a ton of rod holders, I've tried many searching for what I consider perfect. You can mess around with some sometime. I've settled on Scotty rocket launchers as fitting what I need. They are easy to take the rod out of and they don't allow the rod butt to get in the way of your legs peddling. If you are trolling I would suggest the yak attack Scotty adapter (the one I showed you with the downrigger). This prevents the track mount from pivoting while trolling.

Oh and 100% yes on backing plates. Easy to install and make the tracks solid.

June 27, 2017, 11:14:56 PM #4

Did this on my two Revos

Come on searching isn't hard!

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=17254.msg169186#msg169186

Scotty mades a backing for it's mounts now. Search for it

June 27, 2017, 11:39:50 PM #5

I have mounted YakAttack 1.75 gear tracks on my Revolution.

Although the YakAttack 1.75 gear tracks are pretty expensive, they mount quickly and easily from the outside with screws, and their width gives them a lot of resistance to the leverage placed on them by rod holders and other equipment. While I installed 16 inch long gear tracks, I’ve found that I mostly use the rear portion of the tracks, because that portion of the tracks is closer to my kayak seat, and gear on the rear half of the tracks is easier to reach. If I was doing it again, I’d still use the 1.75 tracks or something similar, but I’d get 8 or 10 inch tracks.

Gear tracks give you a lot of flexibility about how you set up your kayak for different kinds of fishing, both from day to day and during a single day, and they allow you to improve your fishing setups over time as you learn better ways of doing things. For a description of the way I use the tracks to mount rod holders and a fish finder, see http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=12575.msg138905#msg138905. For a description of how I use the tracks when planer board trolling, see http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=17409.msg187408#msg187408. I admit that the planer board setup is a bit over the top. But it works well, and is an example of the flexibility and opportunities for innovation which are provided by gear tracks.

June 28, 2017, 08:33:34 AM #6

Quote from: pmmpete on June 27, 2017, 11:39:50 PM

I have mounted YakAttack 1.75 gear tracks on my Revolution.

Although the YakAttack 1.75 gear tracks are pretty expensive, they mount quickly and easily from the outside with screws, and their width gives them a lot of resistance to the leverage placed on them by rod holders and other equipment. While I installed 16 inch long gear tracks, I’ve found that I mostly use the rear portion of the tracks, because that portion of the tracks is closer to my kayak seat, and gear on the rear half of the tracks is easier to reach. If I was doing it again, I’d still use the 1.75 tracks or something similar, but I’d get 8 or 10 inch tracks.

Gear tracks give you a lot of flexibility about how you set up your kayak for different kinds of fishing, both from day to day and during a single day, and they allow you to improve your fishing setups over time as you learn better ways of doing things. For a description of the way I use the tracks to mount rod holders and a fish finder, see http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=12575.msg138905#msg138905. For a description of how I use the tracks when planer board trolling, see http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=17409.msg187408#msg187408. I admit that the planer board setup is a bit over the top. But it works well, and is an example of the flexibility and opportunities for innovation which are provided by gear tracks.

+1. If I can do it again, I would do this.

June 28, 2017, 11:47:18 AM #7

Here is a picture of the Scotty rocket launcher, Scotty track adapter for light duty use, yak attack Scotty adapter for heavy use, and the scotty extender. The extended is useful for routing a downrigger rod over your knees (rod holder one side, downrigger other side)

June 28, 2017, 08:18:40 PM #8

Good advice here, but I'd recommend backing plates for everything---you can easily make your own out of scraps of 1/4" starboard plastic. And, btw, starboard can be easily shaped/bent by applying some heat, so you can fit any interior contour.

You might also want to look at Railblaza mounts. They are pricey, but they have some really nice stuff. I especially like the "sideport"

https://www.railblaza.com/products/sideport/

since it fits inside the pockets and (with a little work) those useless cupholders on my Hobie.

June 30, 2017, 12:30:05 AM #9

Thanks for the tips. I got some 8in tracks with backing and some scotty rocket launchers. Has anyone placed a scotty flushmount just above past the mesh pockets on the small rectangular space? It seems like a perfect place to put a flushmount but the wire for the rudder is right beneath. I see some people have done it but it looks like there isnt a rudder wire there on whichever years model they have. I dont know if having the wire being pushed over a 1/4in or 1/2in from the mount would be a big deal or not

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Topic: Rod Holder Advice (Read 883 times)

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