downrigger and rod holders

[fowledup]

Hi all first post. Been lurking about for a long time, finally getting our first pontoon boat, so hopefully we are now worthy to join in (lol). I want to thank you as you've all been very instrumental in our decision process. We ended up getting a 24' Crest liner. Now comes the fun part and challenges, I need to mount downriggers and pole holders for trolling. My wife has threatened me with- well you all know exactly what she's threatened me with if I mess up "her" new boat or " trash" it any anyway. Man I miss my ..... any who curious to see how some of you addressed the mounting issues.

[evinrude2stroke]

Can't help you with any of that, Just wanted to say congats & welcome.

[rsmith]

I don't have any downriggers on my boat, but I use the various Scotty type rod holders and the square rail mounts. No complaints and no drilling or sinking screws into the rails.

http://www.scotty.com/fishing-gear-equi ... mounts.htm

[Flanker]

I used to Striper fish on Lake Cumberland in a Crestliner V-Hull, I currently own a Crestliner Pontoon.

If I were going to mount down riggers on my pontoon, I would mount them on the back out side of the fence. I would get them high enough by using a pipe flange and extending them up to where I could confortably reach them.

Do yourself a favor and get the electric down riggers. They also make rod holders that fit on the down riggers you can put 3 per rigger.

Good luck, I always envied those guys who had their striper boats set up on pontoon boats. Nothing like fishing while your sitting on your couch

[fowledup]

Thank you for the replys. Had not thought of using a pipe flange. Good idea, might go one step further and thru bolt it to the deck. Upsize the flange to 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 as well as two hole strap it to the fence. You read my mind as far as strippers from the couch, also surgeons.

[Flanker]

Strippers on the couch are going to get you in trouble!

[dunny961]

Strippers on the couch are going to get you in trouble!

[ishoot]

Tip Thompson makes a pretty decent downrigger bracket for pontoon boats. Very simple to install and sturdy! They can be seen here... http://www.tipthompson.com/index.php?id ... er=product

As far as rod holders go, Scotty's Powerlock holders with their clamp on square rail mount are real nice and do not get in the way of any side curtains or mooring covers. http://www.scotty.com/fishing-gear-equi ... mounts.htm

If your looking to add some rocket launchers and have a ski tow bar on the back, take a look at this pic on how I utilized the tow bar for this purpose. These are clamp on style rod holders that do no damage to the tow bar. I bought them at Fishonsports.com

Good Luck!

Dan