Fly Rod Holder for Center Counsole

[tomflynn]

Does anyone know of a commercially available fly rod holder that could be mounted on the center cousole? Ideally the holder would allow for you to hold the rod in the vertical position within easy reach while at the helm.

[jeff g.]

There are a couple such items on the market. I can't remember brand names right now unfortunately, I want to say one is made by Bluewater or something similar--I'm sure someone on this board uses them. It is a vertical plastic holder with a velcro strap that can be mounted to the side of the console. They seem to work well, although I've heard the velcro doesn't last long.

[Adam-Albino]

There are two main companies who make them. One is Bluewater Designs out of CT, the other is The I-Fly (I think), made on the Cape (Orleans I believe).

As was already mentioned the Bluewater designs uses a velcro strap to hold the rod snug to a urethane pad inside the tube. Most of the tubes are a hard PVC material. I have one on my kayak for 3 years now with no problems - the early versions did have problems with the velcro wearing out as well as UV exposure breaking down the urethane pad. As far as I know this has been fixed. I just had them make two Stainless versions on nice teak frames for my new boat.

The I fly has a PVC tube with a twist top to hold in the rod. It also has a bungee cord to go around the reel much like the velcro strip on the Bluewater designs.

Most shops around me (Old Salt, North River B&T) carry the Bluewater Designs. I think the Hummock carries the I-Fly.
<img src=http://photos.netclubs.com/live/photos/v/9/t/2/t2c710a3839h31nr004cfcdhuo/fishman.gif>

[Adam-Albino]

See:

http://www.bluewaternet.com/

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[MarkD]

I just mounted a "Scotty" rod holder to the deck of my kayak. You can find them at:

www.waldenkayak.com/acc.html#fishing

They cost $25 and come in two flavors, standard rods and fly rods. Each comes with a mounting bracket that you secure using four stainless steel bolts. You can also buy a flush mounting bracket for an extra $15. The problem with that mount is the necessity of cutting a 1 3/8" dia. hole in your boat.

These holders craddle your reel, and, have a rotating collar that locks your rod into the tube. Just spin the collar and your rod will pop right out. Also, the actual rod holder rotates 360 degrees, and allows rod angles from horizontal to 90 degrees. I use it to hold my rod while I paddle, or, even to troll every once and a while.

I hope this helps.

[marvin]

<P><FONT color=#0000ff face=Verdana size=3>Tom,</FONT></P>
<P><FONT color=#0000ff face=Verdana size=3>Let me know if you have any interest in horizontal storage- I made up a couple of rod holders out of PVC for my skiff that are great- and easy to build. Mine are pop rivited to the seat braces (tin skiff), but they should go under the gunwales of a glass boat pretty easily.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT color=#0000ff face=Verdana size=3>Marvin</FONT></P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>

[tomflynn]

Thanks all,

We know have a couple of solutions!

[HDale]

I too have used the Bluewater design fly rod holders ... as others mentioned, some of the materials weren't designed for use in a boat constantly exposed to UV. Plus they're wickedly over-priced, IMHO, which is the norm for most specialized or high-end sporting pursuits, like SWFF.

Here's an option: West Marine & other dealers sell a white polypropylene rod holder that holds 3 or 6 rods - your choice. The 3-gang one is around $12. On each tube, MAKE SURE that there is a 1/2" wide slot about 3-4" deep coming down from the top. This is designed to hold the foot of a spinning reel, so that it sits deeper into the holder to be held securely.

I took a jigsaw and deepened each slot another ~4" or so, but only about 3/8" wide ... just wide enough to accept the reel-foot of 10-weight Tioga reel. There is some spring in the plastic so it could hold a different make reel. Guests on board my boat have used these to hold all Orvis makes [less their newer new large arbor reels], Lamson 4s, Sci-Anglers S-IIs, and more, all were sized from 8 to 10 weight.

By extending the slot, the rod is held for a good foot of its length so it's held really secure. Plus you can still use them for conventional & spinning gear, as the deeper slot doesn't interfere. I've placed heavy Penn 6/0 shark rigs in these when heading offshore and haven't ever noticed any wobble or insecurity to worry about.

Check them out … for this price you can't go wrong! Plus they've lasted well for > 3 years where they've been installed on the boat ... out in the sun from mid-May 'til sometime in October where the boat's on a mooring.

[jagarland]

After doing some research last summer and comparing the Bluewater, Scotty and other similar brands at West Marine, I bought the I-Fly. Someone mentioned that Goose Hommock has them, that is where I bought mine. However, the company also advertises in the classified section of a couple of the FF magazines and it is a little less expensive when you buy 3 directly. The I-Fly is very well made and should hold up for quite awhile. They can be attached directly to the surface of any boat or (as I did) mount them on some starboard (or teak) so there is a little more space between the rod and surface. Take a look, I think you'll like them.

Jack G.

[artb]

For anyone interested, I have comeup with a flyrod holder made of PVC pipe, very cheap. I have them monted on the front of my truck. They are mounted vertically on my truck, and I drive down the road at highways speeds. I haven't broken a rod yet. My son has 2 of them mounted at the aft end of his boat, and 2 more mounted front of his centerconsole. if interested send me your e-mail address, and I will send a photo and gove dimensions. My so even put a line between the two aft, when not using a flyrod offshore, and puts quick releases on it for offshore trolling.