Fishing rod holder are the simplest pieces of gear on a boat. Nevertheless, fishing rod holders can fail in the worst moments. While a person may place a fishing rod into a fishing rod holder and expect the fishing rod to stay within the holder, various issues with fishing rod holders can cause the fishing rod to fall out of the holder when the person performs another task on the boat.
For instance, if a person is tasked with retrieving a fishing net from the boat’s back corner, the fishing rod may fall out of the fishing rod holder. Additionally, if the fishing rod fails within the fishing rod holder, the fishing rod and fishing reel may fall off the boat or slam against the gunwale of the boat. These types of failures of fishing rod holders on boats occur more often than anglers admit.
Nevertheless, there are a few reason why these failures happen. By understanding the issues with fishing rod holders on boats, a person can save themself money and the frustration of dealing with a failing fishing rod. Additionally, understanding these issues will also allow a person to prevent the loss of the expensive fishing tackle that may fall out of the fishing rod holders.
Most of the problems with fishing rod holders have a cause and a fix should a person know where to look for the causes of the problem. The following is a list of the mistake and the malfunctions of fishing rod holders on docks and on boat decks. The most common issue with fishing rod holders is the loose mounting hardware for the fishing rod holders.
Common Problems With Fishing Rod Holders
1. Loose Mounting Hardware
The vibration from the boat’s motor, the slap of the waves against the boat, and the boat’s potential bumps against the dock can all work the mounting hardware for the fishing rod holders loose. As a result, the fishing rod holder may begin to wobble, and the fishing rod may fall out of the fishing rod holder when the fish strike the fishing rod. The first sign of loose mounting hardware is when the tip of the fishing rod moves more than it should move when the water is calm.
The fix for loose mounting hardware is to inspect the hardware for fishing rod holders when a person begins the fishing season. Additionally, another inspection should take place after any rough trip that a boat may take. The hardware should be marine-grade stainless steel with lock washers or inserts.
Additionally, using a thread-locker compound on each piece of mounting hardware will ensure that it does not ever work loose again. By skipping the inspection of the mounting hardware, a person will lose money and fishing gear every time. Another cause of fishing rod holder failure is the fishing rod holder cracking at the base of the holder.
2. Cracking at the Base
The plastic holder that is exposed to the sun for many year will crack at the base of the holder. Additionally, the aluminum holders also have a tendency to crack at the spot where the holder meet the fishing rod. When a person notices white mark on the holder or tiny cracks in the base of the holder, the holder is at the point of failure.
By this time, the holder has failed, and a person should purchase a replacement fishing rod holder. Thick-walled aluminum and heavy-duty composite fishing rod holders will last longer than plastic fishing rod holders and cause fewer issue. The third issue with fishing rod holders is improper angle selection.
3. Improper Angle Selection
Fishing rod holders that are mounted vertically are good for drifting bait. However, if the fishing rod is allowed to move vertically, the fishing rod will dive into the water with every wave. Additionally, the line of the fishing rod will create a massive amount of drag against the water.
Most boat manufactured today leave the fishing rod holders in a compromise angle that is not suitable for any type of fishing. Fishing rod holders between thirty and forty-five degrees from vertical work best for fishing. Before purchasing fishing rod holders for a boat, a person should test the angle of the holder to ensure it will work best for the fishing that will take place on the boat.
Corrosion is the fourth cause of fishing rod holder failure. Fishing rod holders are susceptible to corrosion if they are left in humid climate. These areas contain salt in the air that gets into the holder and under the gaskets on the fishing rod holders.
4. Corrosion and Rust
Additionally, the fishing rod holders will get rusted on the spot where the holder pivots. Additionally, the rusted spot will get solidified in the fishing rod holder in the middle of the fishing season. The stainless steel holder will also get corroded.
The lower grade will get pits in them that will catch the fishing line and possibly tear it. Fishing rod holders should be rinsed with fresh water after using them in saltwater area. Additionally, a person should apply a corrosion inhibitor to the pivot point of the holder.
It will only take thirty seconds to inspect the holder for corrosion, and it will prevent the frustration of a fishing rod holder getting rusted out when a person needs to clear a tangle of fishing line. The fifth cause of fishing rod holder failure is when the fishing rod holders are too small for the rods and reels that a person may use when fishing. Older model of fishing rod holders were made for thin freshwater rods.
5. Incorrect Size for Rods and Reels
If a person places a heavy fishing rod with a heavy reel into an old holder, the foot of the reel may not clear the rim of the holder. The rod may also be forced to sit in a crooked position in the holder; the fishing line may also get caught on the holder when the person cast the fishing rod; and it may fall off the fishing rod holder while fishing. A person should measure the size of their fishing rod and fishing reels before purchasing fishing rod holders.
Fishing rod holders should allow for space for the rods and the reels to remain in place without catching on the holder. Fishing rod holders that provide room for rods will save a person money when they may need to purchase holders that can take the larger rods in the future. Sixth issue with fishing rod holders is that they do not have inserts.
6. Lack of Rubber Inserts
Fishing rod holders that do not have rubber inserts for the rods will cause the rods to rattle within the holder. Additionally, this rattling will wear groove into the fishing rod holder and the rods. Additionally, the vibration will fatigue the blank portion of the fishing rod over time.
The fatigue can weaken the fishing rod where the person does not want the rod to be weak. Additionally, the noise caused by this rattling will become frustrating during a long fishing drift. The inserts for fishing rod holders may seem like small accessory; however, they are essential.
These inserts can fall off the fishing rod holder into the water or break due to exposure to the sun. A person should keep spare insert in the boat. These inserts may cost almost nothing, but they will protect the money that a person puts into purchasing fishing rods that can cost hundreds of dollar. By buying replacements for inserts for the holders, a person can prevent these issues from happening in the future. The seventh cause of fishing rod holder failures is if the person puts the wrong type of rods into the fishing rod holders. For instance, a fishing rod with a fighting butt may be too thick to fit into the diameter of the fishing rod holder.
7. Using the Wrong Type of Rods
In this instance, if a person attempts to reel in a fish, the fishing rod will become stuck in the holder. Additionally, an ultralight spinning fishing rod may also bounce right out of a fishing rod holder that is made for heavier fishing rods. These types of issue may happen if a person purchases rods from different brand or if a person uses freshwater rods in saltwater areas and vice versa.
Before heading out on the boat, every fishing rod should be placed into every fishing rod holder. This simple thirty-second step will eliminate the frustration of a fishing rod getting stuck or bouncing right out of the holder. The eighth cause of fishing rod holder failure is if the rod is placed in a location that is not conducive to fishing rod use.
8. Poor Mounting Location
For instance, if the tip of the fishing rod that is in the holder is set to sweep across the cockpit of the boat, a person may walk into the fishing rod. Additionally, if the fishing rod is too close to the outboard motor of the boat, the fishing line may get into the propeller of the boat. These types of issues may occur even with an otherwise well-built fishing rod holder if the location is a bad location for the holder.
When a person purchases a fishing rod holder, they should take a few minutes to sit in each spot where they may fish. A person should imagine how the fishing rods will point when they are fishing. Additionally, a person should think of the path that the tip of the fishing rod will travel when they are reeling in a fish.
Fishing rod holders that are in a smart location will go unnoticed until a person needs to use them. Fishing rod holders in a bad location will continually remind a person of the mistake they made when purchasing the boat. Lastly, a person may ignore the small maintenance task associated with fishing rod holders.
9. Neglecting Regular Maintenance
For instance, a fishing rod holder may last a few fishing season. However, after three season, the holder may have a crack in it, the mounting hardware may be loose, and the insert may be dried out. On the fourth fishing season with a decent-sized fish, all of these issues may happen at once.
By inspecting the fishing rod holders every year at the start of the fishing season for the year, a person can avoid these issues. It may take a few minutes to inspect the holder every year at the start of the fishing season. However, by inspecting the holders for issues, a person can save their expensive fishing rods and potentially a fish that they may need to land on the day that they need it.
Fishing rod holders require little attention from boat owners. Nevertheless, there are issues with these rod holders that may render them useless in the worst moments. Therefore, people should take time to keep an eye on their fishing rod holders.
If they take time to purchase quality holders, place them in the best spots on the boat for their fishing style, and perform the above maintenance task, they can enjoy their fishing season without any problem with their fishing rod holders.