New Pole Mount/Downrigger for Alumacraft

Hey, guys.
My name is Jack Colliflower, and I wanted to share with you what I’ve come up with for the Alumacraft track system.
First, an explanation.
I was contacted by my father-in-law about making a new pole mount/downrigger mount for the Alumacraft track. He was coordinating with his co-worker, who has an Alumacraft. I was told the current pole mounts (plastic) are just plain not the best. He sent me one and…I agree. His co-worker wanted something stronger and something that would work on his track and compatible with a downrigger.
And so, I went to work. (My profession is metal-worker (CNC machinist). I make a variety of product non-fishing related (parts for motorcycles, wood workers, clamping systems, etc.)
We went through a system of prototypes and checks, and have come up with this. (See pics.)
It’s a very strong vertical mount and a downrigger combined. Add to it the fact that it slides along the Alumatrack.
I’ve modeled the downrigger mount off of Canon’s hole pattern. (All downriggers compatible with Canon’s are compatible with mine.)
I’ve been told that this would be extremely useful for fishermen, and so I’m posting to let you all know.
I’d love to answer questions about it, so please ask and I’ll answer. Thanks and I hope you like it!

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Very nicely done! I wish my boat had the track system and I could employ you to make me some mounts!
I do agree though that the mounts that alumacraft makes are probably good for 90% of the time, but I wouldn’t use it for trolling for muskies or a downrigger for sure!

Hi, Captain!
(Replying yet a third time because I’m am having trouble posting for some reason….)
Yes, the OEM plastic mounts suffice for lighter applications, but I’ve heard lots of stories of them snapping at the bottom grip. And, of course, they don’t have the downrigging capability.
Thanks for your opinion!

Pretty cool design. Definitely more robust. Only comment is that metal tab that goes in the groove for the track looks pretty squared off and maybe gouge the paint of the track (maybe?) other than that it looks good. I don’t run riggers but use dipseys and the Alumatrac brackets are doing fine (so far). If I ran riggers I would be reaching out to you for a pair of those !!!!

Well done!!

D

I actually know a guy (typical comment) who was involved with the company who made the mounts for alumacraft. He doesn’t work FOR alumacraft, but the company that these were outsourced to. Anyways, much of these concerns were shared but according to him, they met alumacraft specs. While I cannot completely blame a manufacturer for wanted to make sure they manage costs, I would be PO’d if I used one of these things and one of my $500 musky setups went into the lake because the rod holder busted — all because they wanted to save $.50 per unit.
Nice design you have there and looks very well built. Hopefully you can put them to the test on some big fish!

diesel wrote:

Pretty cool design. Definitely more robust. Only comment is that metal tab that goes in the groove for the track looks pretty squared off and maybe gouge the paint of the track (maybe?) other than that it looks good. I don’t run riggers but use dipseys and the Alumatrac brackets are doing fine (so far). If I ran riggers I would be reaching out to you for a pair of those !!!!

Well done!!

D

Thanks! I haven’t had any problem yet with the squared off edge scratching the paint, but I haven’t really looked for it, either. I’ll check it out! It’s a good point, and maybe I should put a round-over on the edge…
Sounds good–let me know if you’re ever in need!
Jack

CaptainMusky wrote:

I actually know a guy (typical comment) who was involved with the company who made the mounts for alumacraft. He doesn’t work FOR alumacraft, but the company that these were outsourced to. Anyways, much of these concerns were shared but according to him, they met alumacraft specs. While I cannot completely blame a manufacturer for wanted to make sure they manage costs, I would be PO’d if I used one of these things and one of my $500 musky setups went into the lake because the rod holder busted — all because they wanted to save $.50 per unit.
Nice design you have there and looks very well built. Hopefully you can put them to the test on some big fish!

Yeah, I’d be upset too if I lost my set-up due to wanting to save a buck! Thanks for the comments. I don’t think any fish will break these I’m in Oregon, so I don’t think I’ll have any problem putting them to test on some big fish. I’ve been shipping back and forth to Idaho for testing (father-in-law and friend), so they’ve gone through their paces….Rock solid!

CaptainMusky wrote:

Very nicely done! I wish my boat had the track system and I could employ you to make me some mounts!
I do agree though that the mounts that alumacraft makes are probably good for 90% of the time, but I wouldn’t use it for trolling for muskies or a downrigger for sure!

Thanks! Yes, I think they’re nice too
Yes, the OEM plastic mounts work for most light applications, but when it comes to bigger fish, I’ve heard stories of them snapping at the bottom grip! And, of course, they are lacking the downrigging capability. Thanks!

Any gunnel twist with a 5′ boom and a 10 pound weight hanging off the end of it? I’ve done my share of custom downrigger mount fabrications and sometimes stiffening the gunnel is just as important as building a solid mount.