[Panhandle]

As a guide, I often have two or three clients in my boat and therefore as many as 4 rods at a time. I never use the rod tubes because im constantly having to get in and out. i typically just hang the tips off the back and set the reels on the floor. Not ideal but its the most efficient way for me. I would love to see what contraptions you guys have come up to provide security, stabilty, and easy access for boat to bank travel. Thanks.

 

[NWFlies]

Rod storage

Howdy!

I float in a clackacraft drift boat, and store all single hand rods in the built in rod holder along the side. For spey rods, if I'm with a buddy or two, one angler holds the gear while we float to the next run. It's usually the guy in the front seat. Reels toward the floor and rod tips to the sky.

When I'm solo in the boat, I just leave them positioned up front in the same position as if someone were holding them. Straight up to the sky. I bungee them to the front deck. You need to watch it with this method if you're floating under trees or heavy brush but I've been OK so far.

I'm usually backing the boat in toward the bank when I park so I'd be fearful of hanging the tips off the back.

Can't wait to hear from others!

 

[JoshL]

Tips out the back in my boat. I use the moeller rubber rod holders next to me on the rowers bench, and I had Koffler make me a butt holder out of aluminum. Butt holder bolts to the back of the passenger seat box. 12" by 2.5" with an oval cutout for the rod butts to nest in. Keeps the reels off the floor, I dig it.

 

[Panhandle]

Josh, do you have a photo of this set-up? I'm a visual guy.

 

[Bob Budesa]

I don't guide, but I do take friends down the Rogue from time to time. Never had much of an issue with rod organization, BUT.....

I just had a thought. What if there were vertical tubes bolted to the gunwales forward of the oarlocks, wherein you would insert the rod handle, single or double, and the reel seat fit down into a slot, and the handle stayed within. The slot would be narrow enough that the rod handle wouldn't come through. The rods would be vertical on the boat, not fore or aft, and aside from drifting under overhanging limbs, would be clear of obstruction.

I probably just gave away a million bucks!

 

[JoshL]

Found one. No pic of the moellers next to the rower.

 

[JoshL]

Just thought of another set up I have seen on a spey guide boat. This one placed the rods vertical up front with passengers. In the middle of the deck between drink holders, moellers or equivalent mounted on extensions rising a foot or so above the deck (this was removable). Rod butts on the floor in 1/2" deep or so aluminum circles on a bracket bolted to the floor. It looked good. It was a custom deal from one of the boat builders.

 

[JDJones]

Spey Rods & Drift Boats

I'm still working on the ultimate solution for transporting long rods in a drift boat. I've been with guys who had rod holders rigged to hold the rods vertical on the forward knee brace. That works OK as long as you can stay away from any brush or trees. And I once had a Woodie that I could bungee a 7136 to the gunnel. But that was a rare match. And glass boats have reverse gunnels. The best method I have found to date only works with one seat forward, one aft, placing the rods along side the seats, right down the center of the boat, after everyone is aboard. PITA!

 

[Eastside]

I primarily fish and float the Deschutes, so we aren't allowed to fish from the boat. Not that Spey rods are used in the boat. This is a Berkeley rod holder that works well for trout rods. For my Spey rods, I use pvc end caps with felt inside and stuff them in the rubber mats that protect my floor against studs. Here is a photo with trout rods. The Spey rods lean forward. Advantage is that as I'm rowing, I'm staring at the rods, so they don't end up places where they shouldn't, i.e. tree limbs.

Standard practice on the Deschutes. BTW, that's me with my dad who is 85 and going with me at the end of September for a 5-day float.

Mark

 

[Eastside]

Another comment. Clackacraft sells a setup similar to Josh's but the Spey rod butts don't fit in the holes. A concern with having the reels too low to the floor is if you put water in the boat (always a possibility on the Deschutes, but hasn't happened to me in years... , reels could get sand and mud in them. But, I like to see the rods when I'm rowing.

Mark

 

[fisshman26]

Adipose drift boats, rods fit in the trays on the side"......just sayin:razz:

 

[NWFlies]

Eastside's post is the exact setup that I use in my boat. He simply put a picture to words...so much easier. When I'm solo though I strap the whole thing down with the bungee just to keep it in place.

 

[DH Drifter]

Clacka Holders

I have a Clacka with the rod holders and they work just fine with my spey rods. I also don't have any issue with water or sand as they hang well above the floor. The bigger issue is that they are in the way when you crawl over the boat as the rower on the shore side. I'll be adding a vertical set up that is removable on the front knee brace.

DH