Trolling isn’t just about dropping lines back and pointed the boat straight ahead. Trolling is much more than that and seasoned Salmon Fisherman and Walleye Fisherman know it. One of the most critical pieces of equipment is a good rod holder. Not just the Rod Holder you use but where it’s rigged on you’re boat and how many you have installed.

Trolling for salmon can consist of lead core , down rigger, Dipsy Divers ,Copper Wire rods running all at the same time. Many times when running combinations of each of these techniques some have to be positioned using planner boards. Needless to say it’s allot going on for any fisherman to keep track of.

Placing several holders fairly close together near the rear of the boat is a good first step. Pairing up each rigger with at least two rod positions will help you utilize each rigger. The two for each down rigger should be close to the riggers themselves.  Place and assign at least one rod holder on each side forward of the riggers for Dipsy Rods.

Look for a Rod Holder that can easily be moved from it’s locked position toward you when it’s under load. When fish are on a Dipsy’s rod it can make it difficult to remove the rod from any holder. Magnum Dipsy’s are suggested and they pull hard enough to make it difficult without a good Salmon at the end of the line.

Running inline planner boards on the other hand Rod forward positions are much more preferred. It’s less critical for you’re Road holders to carrier a very heavy load although having the ability to elevate you’re rod tips when fishing boards is suggested.  Rod holders such as Christmas Trees style holders are a very appropriate option. Multiple rods can be placed in this type of holder taking up little space.

 Christmas Tree rod holder is a good solution to elevating you’re rod tips.  Tall rod tips are effective when running multiple inline boards. This will prevent tangles do to multiple boards on one side of the boat. Tangles generally happen in this situation when turning and rough seas.

Trolling for Walleye is similar in many regards. Inline boards are commonly used so having the ability to elevate is a must. One main difference in walleye fishing is the live trolling techniques. The timing of the hook set is key and the correct rod holders have a direct impact on getting it right.

Holding a trolling rod in you’re hand when fishing live bait is a true test even for the most experience walleye fisherman. The best case scenario is a fishing rod with a soft tip in a rod holder. Rod holders that allow you’re rod to be lifted as the hook is set is what you’re looking for should have.  The rod has to be able to come free of the holder as it’s lifted to make that hook set in all one motion.

You can accomplish this with a rod holder in two different ways. A rod holder that has an open top so the rod lifts out with no restrictions such as a Ram Rod Holder . Option two which is a tube style rod holder which is a bit more well rounded for different applications. This type of holder tends to hold up to Dipsy rods when necessary. You have to be able to lock them in a position while being able to bring you’re rod two you with little to no effort.

This means the rod holder can be moved out of it’s locked position and moved toward you just by the motion of lifting the rod. Considering these boat rigging tips when setting up you’re boat will impact you’re success rate when trolling for Salmon or Walleye.

 Rod Holder placement becomes key in changing water conditions. When waves are one foot or less it makes less difference then when waves become three feet or more. The distance out is another factor. If you’re running you’re planner boards inside of one hundred feet it’s less critical than running them outside of one hundred feet.

Many people haven’t had the opportunity to understand how and why Christmas Tree Holders are such an effective tool. Outside of the Tree Rod Holders having multiple rod holders on them they have several other benefits.  

The first and foremost benefit to the tree style rod holder is how compact it is. There are typically three or four rod holder locations with in a small area. A second advantage to the rod holder tree is that the rod holder locations are elevated. Some of the rod holder tree’s offer these elevated holder locations in rotated positions around the tree.

 Combining staggered locations with elevated positions you end up with quite a unique tool. I will now explain just how to best utilize this unique tool.

Trolling planner boards is where this style of rod holder performs best. Where we find the advantage to these units is when the waves are over three feet or when we have multiple boards out on one side over one hundred feet.

When a fishing line is let out with a planner board on it the line actually has a bow in it half way between the rod tip and the board. Most fisherman trolling more than one board on each side tends to evenly space each line out. Spacing you’re trolling boards out in larger waves or at large distances. The natural droop in the line can drag in the water. Without being able to elevate you’re rod tips to keep the line out of the water planner boards closer to the boat will in fact cross the line in the water.

There is nothing worse than tangles on multiple rods. Tangles especially when it’s rough which is when this situation tends to occur the most often is not good.  With Christmas Tree Rod Holders it all but eliminates these issues.

You can now elevate you’re rods close together in the boat while keeping you’re rod tips far away from each other. This is the true advantage to installing this type of Rod holder when rigging you’re fishing boat.

When people think about boat safety they think about the most obvious things such as life jackets of flares, maybe even a first aid kit. When you’re on the water organization has as much to do with staying safe as anything. Rigging you’re boat with this in mind is a good place to start.

With multiple options out there today collecting fishing equipment tends to be as much fun as getting out on the water itself. Most fishermen have 20 or more fishing rods ten tackle boxes and few other neat tools to help them catch fish.

I know when I’m heading out I typically pack as much stuff into my boat as possible.

Just like at work or home the more stuff you bring the more you have to work around it. Not only does stuff lying around take time to deal with. Letting it get out of control can become a safety issue no matter where you are.

As a father who loves to take his kids fishing it’s even more imperative to deal with any clutter in the boat.  It can be difficult for an adult to deal with stuff lying around let alone a youngster or two.

There are a few simple things that can be done to help organize the boat. Add some rod holders. I’m not suggesting just a couple. Add a couple in addition to the number you would normally fish with .Rigging several extra holders will allow you to have extra rods available and ready to fish with. Even if it’s just fixed Rocket Launchers .It’s also very beneficial to have an extra place to put you’re fishing poles out of the way quickly in the heat of the moment. 

One of the simplest solutions to help boaters with clutter is a tool holder. Most fisherman end up with a few tools in the boat along with several lures setting out from changing baits. Most tool holders allow you to store pliers or even a few lures. The additional advantage is it’s nice to know right were the pliers are when you need them.

 I’m convinced; safety on the water has to come first.  I believe organizing clutter in the boat is as easy way for everyone to do just that.

Best Rod Holders I've Seen

I have several of the Great Lakes Holders Products . When you look at what goes into these rod holders it’s absolutely impressive. The materials to the thought behind them are just outstanding. I fish all over and for just about everything. Having good products overall is imperative.

My passion is Walleye fishing . I have fished several walleye fishing  torunement circuits over the years including the Cabelas Masters Walleye trail. In addition to that I have also run fishing charters around the state of Michigan.

I have to count on my equipment. As much as I’m on the water and have seen many products, believe me when I say you need to find out more about these products before you make you’re next investment into and fishing rod holders.

Sincerly: Captain Ernest Miller

Below is a picture of a Fishing Charter Boat in Manistee Michigan. The boat belongs to the owner of Great Lakes Holders  Rich Morong . Lined up all around the picture you will see several Great lake Holders products.

These fishing rod holders were made by Rich to serve a useful purpose. Even though anyone who owned their own business would almost have to use their own products Rich uses his because they help him get the job done.

Looks closely and you can see several ajustable holders along with a set of Rocket launchers above the top.

Rich Morong  on top of everything elese he does he also runs a Charter Fishing Boat out of Manistee. Rich designed these holders to work the way they need to do get the job done.

It’s one thing to be a fair weather fisherman and decide to put a pair of rod holders on the boat it’s another to run charters and have to perform for fishing customers.  Anyone who has taken fishing to this level counts on their equipment.

 Tools like any other job the fishing rod holders on a charter captains boat have to perform and hold up. Unlike many other types of fishing to be a successful Salmon Fisherman you have to have  plenty of storage to support sgnificant amounts of Equipment.

With durability and functunctionality being an issue when Rich put other products to the test on the water. What better way to have something you can count on than to do it you’re self.

Fishing Rod Holders

The Proo’s Down Rigger is setting on top of a quick release bracket that makes it great to remove or replace the rigger at anytime. Great lakes Holders has a secific feature unique to it’s installation and removal as well.

What you can’t see is the triple set of rod holders is set into place with two very little attachments that make it a quick in and out .This instalation design is amazing . There is so very little impact on the hull and when you take the series of holders out even for a short time.

You can hardly notice anything was there to begin with. Two small holes is all you can see with finish caps to close top off the holes while the holders are not in position.

Rod Holder Mounting

Above is a picture of what is mounted to the boat for easy boat rigging. All that will show when any of the holders are lifted out of position is  this  flush circular hardware . The rod holder plates simply lift out and set back into place .

GLH Fishing Rod Holder systems are really one of a kind. This fact has been recognized  by many of the pro fisherman in the West Michigan area for several years. The fact is many of the Ludington Fishing Charters and Manistee Fishing Charters use nothing but our fishing systems.

 What most people don’t realizes is we have been supplying Proo’s fishing systems with our rod holders for years. Anyone who has used or seen Proos understands how these two quality fishing systems directly complement each other.

Fishing Rod Holders Made To last

Even though our products aren’t limited to the use of targeting large Great Lakes Salmon. We built them to hold up to the biggest fish and the worst weather. New testing has approved our finish and materials for the most extreme sittuation , even the conditions found in Saltwater Fishing. 

 Open water trolling in the Great Lakes was a good place to start but their great fit for fisherman doesn’t stop there. We know that fisherman using many fishing techniques are looking for good products with innovative design. Doesn’t seem to matter if you’re fishing Steelhead on the Manistee River of Walleye on Saginaw Bay our fishing rod holders work for fisherman

 With our products and ability to custom fit them, our rod holders and storage systems work for the serious Fisherman . We understand that having fishing rod holders and storage in exactly the right spot that hold up is key. Our goal is to provide each customer with exactly that.