The rails as a mount spot for rod holders

Hobie wrote me back and said the rails are too light duty for rod holders.
I didn't mention that this was for freshwater. That might have made a difference in the answer I got. No big saltwater fish will be yanking on them.

Anyway...I have two of these:



I hope to mount to each rail with two of these:



What do you think?
I think it will be fine. They will be used for trolling various swim and crankbaits for freshwater largemouth bass.


--

_________________
Fresh: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE02E23641B7FE360

Salt: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeb5zOGDfoKlEPsMK5GBUOge_Qz5u2koH

Yakattack is currently testing rail mounts for the gear tracs that work great. I have a set of the pre productions model. I don't have a picture on my computer but there was a thread not to long ago that had multiple pictures of this set up.

_________________
Matt Baden


http://www.thehobielife.blogspot.com



AFTCO, Kanan Lures, Astral Buoyancy and Alltackle.com Pro Staff
2012 Yellow Pro Angler 12 and 2014 Pro Angler 12

Here's the thing - you can't really put a lot of pressure on the rails because the boat is sitting in water. It moves.

My latest rod holder set-up is mounted to the rails. Works great. No way you could damage the rails or pull them out of the boat - there isn't anything to pull against. The boat simply moves.

I have had four Scotty clamp on rod holder mounts on my Hobie Pro Angler's rails for two years. There are two rod holders on each rail, one holder on each side has a Scotty rod holder with a 12" extension which has more leverage than the stock height holder and I have not had any problems catching many trout. I did have to use a 1/8" or so thick piece of rubber as a shim so the holder would tighten up on the rail. I use a FF on one of the other rod holders again with no problems.

I have the same Ram mount rod holders attached to my rails...via an 8" GearTrac and 1.5" Screwball from YakAttack. Love the unlimited rod postions and ease of use of these Rod holders. Plus when I am done, I break everything down and the only thing left on the rail, is the GearTrac.

Anyway, have caught freshwater stripers up to 11lbs while trolling and have had no issues with the rails at all. Between the movement of the boat and the drag set accordingly, you will be fine.

Good luck!