Rod Holders for a cat/sturgeon boat

I’m posting this here instead of in the general or outdoor gear forum because it’s a fairly sturgeon/cat specific question. At least I think it is.

I guess the real question is whether or not rod holders in a cat boat need to be any sturdier/more robust than in any other boat? I’ve used Folbes in BK’s boat and I really liked them, for several reasons, but I’m doing my advice-seeking/market research before I propose to my wife that I put $350 into rod holders for the pontoon.

I wouldn’t go more than 4 people in the ‘toon because there’s not enough floor space, but it will be seeing use in border areas, so we’re talking 8 rod holders (2 rods x 4 people) at $42/pop.

Also it occurs to me that a rod holder is the only thing between you and losing your gear to the Great Mother River and her sisters. So it seems (like tires on your car) that it’s one of the few places where you’d really want to get premium gear…

So for you hardcore flat/sturgeon guys out there, what’re your thoughts on rod holders?

Jerad
Thats an easy question to answer!

FOLBE …all the way . I have 4 and love them, soon to have 6

As long as they say Monster or Driftmaster on them, you won’t ever question rod holders again.

They are built TOUGH and the best part is there is never any effin around with them. To me those 2 are darn near close to a perfect cattin rod holder. The RAM holders come close, but the clearance is a bit small for some larger cat rods.

Scotty’s/Cabelas work good too, but spinning outfits get to be cumbersome in them.

I guess I’m too dyslexic to use the Folbes. Also, I don’t want to think about my rod getting hung up in them, plus more moving parts means more things to break.

Fobles have a short learning curve to them, most in my boat take a time or two get get them smooth, lifting straight up is a requirement and that takes a bit of getting used to.

On the other hand I had a snag grab on of my hardbaits when I was trolling for musky’s at about 4+ mph and the rod holder never broke.

60# test and the drag cranked down, bent the pole to the point I thought it was going to break.

Not sure if them cats can pull any harder than that.

The Folbes have several different mounts for them, which makes it nice.

Al

After stripping out the bases of the several different brands many of us use,I went on a search for something of a bit more substance.Being a multispecie angler, I wanted the flexabilty to add xtenstions and made adjustments for rod angles & etc. When I became aware of the folbe product being designed and used for the White sturgeon and King salmon out west,that got my attention…in 4 plus years of having them,not one to my knowledge has been returned or have any of the bases been stripped. Perhaps not a design for everyone,but certainly a viable option.

FOLBE all the Way ! Got 6 this past year from Dean @ Everts and replaced the Ram holders. (not a bad holder but not nearly as strong)
A touch of silicone spray on the slide area and they are as smooth as glass even in the dark with inexperienced guests in heavy seas.

Dritmasters!!! I’ve been using them for 3 years and Ive got 8 in my boat now. Super simple, strong, secure and economical. I circle hook fish in the rod holder and never had a rod slip or move at all, even a 25# flat last year on cut. I did break one this spring when I hooked my pant leg getting out of the boat, but Im prolly not going to catch a 250# fish any time soon.

D*mn I love this place, because you get so many good opinions on things…

I have had a bit of issue with the Folbes in BK’s boat, nothing so dramatic as to incur any doubts. I like the idea of a bit of silicone lubricant on the moving parts, and I like the idea of them clamping shut. I’m not quite “clumsy”, but anything with a positive lock makes me feel a bit better.

I’ll look into the other ones mentioned by dtro, etc., tho too… it’s always good to be informed one way or the other!

The Folbes have a manual lock on them. I have had more than once a rod doubled over in the Folbe rod holder and never has it even attempted to pop open.The last one was on a 5+ # walleye that was hanging on my 5′ parigrine rod while the wife was reeling in a 3# northern. I looked over my shoulder and it was torqing on it but good and the Folbe did it’s job till we got to it! And I don’t use the lock!Hands down the best option I’ve found for a rod holder.The best option I know of is You don’t have to take the rod out over the water to get it out of the holder.Just lift and start your fight.I’ve had guy’s at teh resort who were really impressed with my holders.It’s your $$$$, But if it were mine,there would be Folbes in every boat!

For a cat boat, you do want to spend good money on quality rod holders and bases as well.

Number of years ago, I picked up the Rod Tender holders (sold in a 2 pack) and put them on my dad’s 14′ Lund for fishing the Red. 2 trips out circle hooking those channels stripped out 2 of the bases.

I like the RAMs although now that I’m getting into other species of fish, wish I could get extensions for them. I’ve seen home built extensions but not sure I want to cut apart my rod holders yet.

Let me repeat, I like RAM rod holders a lot.

Hands down driftmasters will never break and never lost a rod with one yeah sure they sucker you in with the price of the rod holder then you got to go out and buy all the other pieces seperatley but you wont have a problem with them breaking or strippin on the bases

My cat boat is a alumacraft jon so i use clamp on,s loc tights. Then i bought some cheaper ones at joes sport shop. The ones with the rubber forks. take them apart, get some pickup topper clamps drill a hole threw the clamp about the middle counter sink the bottom part of the hole so the bolt will be flush with clamp and put the main rod holder body together. i figure if thos clamps will hold a topper on a truck it will hold my rods, they work GREAT. loc tights are 30 bucks each the ones i made about 9 bucks each

I bought 6 of the two position Driftmaster rod holders with a variety of bases, this spring. I am very happy with them. They are very strong and quality made.
Dave

There might be a learning curve with a number of rod holders.

I was using some holders this weekend. I kept grabbing the rod by the butt end. That doesn’t work with all holders, I found out quickly!

This fella from Colorado is now a Folbe believer. I didn’t open the bail or set the line out alarm when I place the rod into the back Folbe. While I was rigging the next rod, he said he thought we had a bite. Without looking, I told him it’s just the bullhead doing it’s job. He came back with…”no, I think there’s a fish on”. I look up and the old St Croix is literally doubled over with about a foot of the rod tip in the water!

He grabbed the rod and it was fish on!

39 pounds of ticked off Flathead!

I really wish I got a cut from every set of Folbes that were sold out of my boat.

Quote:

---

I really wish I got a cut from every set of Folbes that were sold out of my boat.

---

Well hit’em up for a sponsorship/marketing deal with a banner on your site and so on… you should be able to pull that off, Mr Modern Marketing Guy.

Contact Us
Folbe Products, LLC
9144 7th Ave South
Seattle WA, 98108

Phone: (206)763-3521
Fax: (206)762-9674
Email: [email protected]
Your message has been successfully sent.

Let’s see if we can get Joel to come out and play.

Looks like I’ve settled on Folbe and I figured out my mounting issues (not my issues that are mounting but the issues I was having mounting the Folbes on my boat).

I put a post on the mounting experience (OK that just sounds wrong) in the General forum. Take a look:

Mounting Folbes on a rail/tubing

Or you could always go “old school” (AKA the cheap route) and do something like this with PVC pipe. Not pretty, but functional. Can be a little tricky getting the rod out when it’s buried in the holder…