September 15 was International Coastal Cleanup Day, and I joined some of my friends from Jacksonville Kayak Fishing.com to help pick up all the beer bottles, used tires, and other garbage that thoughtless dolts have deposited at various boat ramps and launch sites around the Jacksonville, FL area.
After the cleanup, I decided to enjoy the fruits of our labors and launched the 'yak to do some fishing. Oddly, none of my kayak fishing associates brought along their own 'yaks, so I had the whole place to myself. 
Here's proof that doing a good deed brings good things back to you:
This 26 3/4 inch redfish was the last fish of the day, but he wasn't the only fish of the day. More fish photos and details on bait, rigs & lures used are blogged here: http://blog.neflkayakfishing.com/2007/09/15/good-karma--good-fishing.aspx
Just kidding, of course. No, the ram rod holders are not in the way at all, at least for my arm length, etc. And yes, they do lie down along the top of the gunwale; just loosen the screws and move them wherever you want. You could even remove them completly, leaving only the ram balls if you want.