Rodholder location for paddle trollers

Hey all,

I'm about a year in when it comes to trolling and it's techniques. My ride is a 14' SINK and over time I'm wanting to prioritize distance and efficiency. I just can't seem to find the perfect rod holder location that doesnt interfere with a full paddle stroke and doesn't require me to lunge way forward to wrestle my rod out of it's holder when a fish gets on. With my current setup I can only do perhaps 85% of a full stroke, and it's that fwd entry that I feel really matters a lot. My current setup is 2 Scotty mounts about a for fwd of me on both sides and one behind and to the left for the downrigger.  I want to try to keep this format as it gives me the most flexibility in terms of setups. But I'm up for trying new ideas. What do you suggest?

Here's my current setup:

Not sure if this would solve your issue.  The Scotty extended gear head adapter would allow you to articulate the location of your rod holder while using your existing mounts.  If you angled the arms inward and possibly a little forward would this free up the space so that you can get a full paddle stroke?  You can also elevate the height.


https://www.amazon.com/Scotty-Extended-Gear-Head-Adapter/dp/B003L4YSAU/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=scotty+arm&qid=1590599323&sr=8-1

Not sure if this would solve your issue.  The Scotty extended gear head adapter would allow you to articulate the location of your rod holder while using your existing mounts.  If you angled the arms inward and possibly a little forward would this free up the space so that you can get a full paddle stroke?  You can also elevate the height.


https://www.amazon.com/Scotty-Extended-Gear-Head-Adapter/dp/B003L4YSAU/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=scotty+arm&qid=1590599323&sr=8-1

+1
I would also consider adding the Scotty Slip Disks for additional versatility.
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B009SUAB84/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_QBQZEbM44MFPY

+1

Not sure if this would solve your issue.  The Scotty extended gear head adapter would allow you to articulate the location of your rod holder while using your existing mounts.  If you angled the arms inward and possibly a little forward would this free up the space so that you can get a full paddle stroke?  You can also elevate the height.


https://www.amazon.com/Scotty-Extended-Gear-Head-Adapter/dp/B003L4YSAU/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=scotty+arm&qid=1590599323&sr=8-1

Thanks, yeah it looks like there's no way around putting it forward and inwards like you say. I've run a setup like that but getting them out of the holders was a pain since you have to grab the foregrip and pull it out and forward which was stretch. Maybe I have to look for holders that let me pull the rod out easier..

+1
I would also consider adding the Scotty Slip Disks for additional versatility.
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B009SUAB84/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_QBQZEbM44MFPY

I have those, they're great!

that kayak looks fast

Look at 0:30 and 0:40?

If you raise the rod holder using an extension it will give you more paddling range. I raised mine 12” and was able to bring them closer.

I paddle a Caribbean 14. Most of the time I have my rod under one knee and over one knee changing sides as needed. Let’s me get a full reach/stroke and easy to grab.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. The normal orientation I try to achieve is 2 rods pointed outwards flat and slightly pointing fwd. This is my toplining setup as I get nice distance apart between 2 lures and less "skiing". I'm liking the idea where you raise the holders. I'll try the pointing straight up method with a snapweight too..

I appreciate the difficulty of finding a good location for a trolling rod holder on a sit-on-top or sit-inside paddle kayak, because I started kayak fishing, including downrigger trolling, from a 13' Ocean Kayak Trident.  But some years ago I bought a 13' Hobie Revolution, and now my Trident mostly languishes in my garage, and I do all my fishing from the Revolution.  It's way easier to mount gear on a sit-on-top kayak than it is to mount gear on a sit-inside kayak, it's way easier to mount gear on a pedal kayak than it is to mount gear on a paddle kayak, and it's way easier to fish from a pedal kayak than it is to fish from a paddle kayak.  So I suggest that you set a long-term goal of selling your sit-inside kayak and buying a sit-on-top pedal kayak.

Until you hold up a convenience store to raise the money to buy a pedal kayak, here is a rod holder position suggestion for your sit-inside kayak: consider placing a rod holder in the center of the front deck of your kayak, far enough forward so you won't whack your knuckles on the rod holder and the butt of your rod when paddling, but close enough so you can grab your rod out of the holder by leaning forward in your kayak seat.  If you point the rod holder back at an angle, rather than at right angles to the keel of your kayak, you may be able to put your rod into the holder and take it out of the holder by grabbing the shaft of the rod a foot or so above your reel. This would let you install the rod holder further forward on the deck of your kayak. Don't angle the rod holder back so much that you can't see the tip of your rod easily when paddling, or you'll miss a lot of strikes.