Was away trout fishing last week and the rod holder mounts I installed in my canoe caught the eye of a few fellow anglers. Thought I'd share the idea - which is really quite simple and quite likely thought of by others. Simply a block of wood mounted under the gunnel with a standard rod holder mount attached to the block of wood:

Looks good. Just to be sure - you didn't screw through the hull did you? How is the flex on the hull? I expect with the wood block to spread the load the pressure on the hull isn't too noticeable.

This is definitely smaller than the design I have been using.

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Splake - no screws though the hull; I wanted to avoid this. No noticeable flex on the hull. I've caught a LOT of fish of varying size with this setup.

I have 3 of these holders mounted on the canoe - one in front of each the bow and stern seat on opposite sides of the canoe, and one behind the bow seat to allow the guy in the front to turn around. This mount has the advantage of providing a convenient handle when portaging.

I use this clamp-on type when I use a holder. Often I just put the rod at my knees.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Down-East-Sport ... 0616532%26

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Old canoeists never die---they just smell that way.

I like to keep the rod tip low, so if I'm paddling on the left, I'll put the tip of the butt of the rod on the left gunwale, butt under my left knee, then over my right thigh and the tip of the rod is out the right side of the canoe perpendicular to the boat and parallel to the water. Make sense?

I have a clamp like this : http://www.homedepot.ca/product/irwin-q ... -in/904184 But plastic. On that I zip tied small piece of ABS on both handles and my rod slides into the piping and I clamp it on the side of my canoe. Lightweight and no modification to canoe required.

Very nice Andrew.

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ColdspringPaddling.com

We have some clamp on ones from I believe Bass Pro Shop. Karin got them and they are really nice. Much of the time I do like Wotrock says and just cradle the rod across my knees. Less stuff to drag around with me.

I am not keen on drilling holes in my gunnels but maybe something to fit inside of the scuppering?

Christy

What did you use to mount the block of wood to the hull?

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Paul

Very nice looking job on those rod holders Andrew, do you have one on each side?

I have done the leg hold thing, and it does work, but it does not allow you much freedom of movement while paddling. Another good thing about a rod holder is it is a great place to put your rod, even if not fishing, rather than risk it getting caught up with gear, dog or bow paddler.

I have tried them on the gunwales, but they need to be switched to the other side when you change sides to paddle, but mounted center on the thwart in front of you allows you to paddle either side, no matter what side the rod is on. I do always tend to move it to the off paddling side though.

I am on my second clamp mount, the first being a plastic on similar to the Scotty offerings, but the mount cracked and I went for another brand, Tite-lok. It is made of aluminum, is very light, tough, and works great. I have only used it once to be honest, but am really impressed with the build, I expect I will have it a long, long time.

http://www.basspro.com/TiteLok-Rod-Hold ... /10211320/

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-Jim-

"Paddle faster, I hear banjos!"

Another vote for the TiteLok - weighs only a few ounces, clamps on the yoke fast & easy - works wonderfully.

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In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours.
Mark Twain

Block of wood is not mounted to the hull - 2 screws from the top attach the block to the gunnels. Similar could be done with aluminum gunnels, although would probably suffice to bolt the mount directly to the aluminum lip that goes over the hull. 2 bolts at the top of the mount would probably be plenty.



I actually have 3 mounted to the canoe - one in front of each the bow and stern seat (on opposite sides of each other) and I also have one between the bow seat and the yoke, to allow the bow paddler to turn around and face the stern while trolling. I found this mount also makes a nice handle when portaging - especially in the rain, hand is kept on the inside of the boat and less water runs down the armpits.