Fishing rod holders are quite handy but look pretty simple. They do more than just hold the rod. The rod holder helps protect the fishing gear like spinning reels and spinning rods from loss or damage. It also holds the rod when you are fishing. However, there are many fishing rod holders on the market that’s why choosing the best one is an uphill task.
If you are looking to keep the rod secure on the boat, get a sturdy and less intrusive flush mount holder to hold the fishing rod. The flush mount rod holder typically puts the rod tube right below deck to provide excellent stability. The only reason why anglers tend to use flush mount rod holders is to troll big fish.
An elevated rod holder will come in handy for small boats, kayak and canoes as it helps keep the reel further away from the spray. Always go for elevated rod holders that are easy to adjust and also attach. An elevated rod holder doesn’t require space under the deck unlike the flush mount rod holder. However, the latter is much stronger.
A rod rack helps organize the rods and also keep them secure and untangled. You should store your fishing rods on a rod rack for safety as it prevents them from sliding or tipping off. Rod racks also help keep fishing rods away from kids, pets, doors and feet. The best thing about storing your fishing rods on the rod rack is that they are always ready when duty calls.
Fishing rods are usually more likely to get lost or damaged during transportation to the water body. A sturdy truck or car rod rack that has secure connections protects reels and rods from breaking especially when banging around. Plus, it keeps the lures and lines separately. You need to use a rod holder when fishing at the beach or on the shores to keep the rod out of the water and sand.
The best fishing rod holder should have a sharp point that you can insert into the dirt or sand to keep it secure and upright. Fishing rods best suited for fishing from sandy beaches are known as sand spikes. If you planning to fish at the beach, then you should go for adjustable fishing rods.
Best Fishing Rod Holders
Here’s a round-up of some of the best fishing rod holders on the market to cater to your needs:
1. CE Smith Flush Mount Rod Holder
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
CE Smith Flush Mount Rod Holder is best suited for those fishing on a boat.
Product Features
- Materials: This flush mount rod holder is made of stainless steel
- Dimensions: 13 by 5 by 4 Inches
- Capacity: 9 inches
CE Smith Flush Mount Rod Holder is an excellent choice for inshore flat skiffs and offshore sport fishing boats. That’s why its one of the best fishing rod holders on the market. It features a wider mounting collar, vinyl insert that helps protect the fishing rod from damage and a gimbal bar made of stainless steel attached in place. As earlier mentioned, this fishing rod is best suited for boats. Also, the low-profile cap not only looks good but is equally functional.
Pros
CE Smith Flush Mount Rod Holder is made of stainless steel that’s corrosion resistant and offers long-lasting durability
- It features a gimbal bar welded in place
- It has a notched vinyl liner to help prevent twisting
- Tube connection with a welded cap
Cons
- CE Smith Flush Mount Rod Holder is relatively expensive
- It’s quite heavy
CE is a renowned that’s known to make high-end boating gear and fishing equipment and the CE Smith Flush Mount Rod Holder is no exception. It’s well made and overbuilt. The welded stainless steel connection tube, gimbal and cap are corrosion resistant and almost indestructible. The vinyl liner protects and secures the fishing rod. The best thing about this fishing rod holder is that it can withstand down triggers and heavy-duty offshore tackles for an extended period.
2. YakAttack Omega Rod Holder
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Product Features
- Quick release
- Adjustable arm and mount
- Locking ring
- Reinforced plastic, injection-molded
There’s no space under the deck where you can mount a fishing rod holder for smaller boat anglers and kayak. In this case, an elevated rod holder will come in handy as it helps keep the reel further away from the water. This is quite advantageous when fishing in salty water as it tends to damage the reels. The best fishing rod holders usually allow the user to adjust the rod on two different planes to set it at an ideal position for transportation and fishing.
YakAttack Omega Rod Holder is basically the standard when it comes to versatility and security. This fishing rod holder can comfortably mount on any regular gear track. The best thing about this fishing rod holder is that it features a Lock and load track mount that allows you to adjust or remove the rod with ease.
Pros
- This fishing rod holder is super easy to remove and install
- You can lock the rod to the holder
- You can adjust this fishing rod holder with ease both vertically and horizontally
Cons
- You’ll need to follow two different steps when removing the rod or disengaging the lock
For small boats and kayaks, elevated rod holders usually come in handy as they are more efficient and they help keep the reels further away from the water. The best ones on the market accommodate fly, casting and spinning rods. YakAttack Omega Rod Holder is best suited for small boats and kayaks owing to its sturdy construction and also because its easy to operate.
You can easily remove the fishing rod holder by a push of a button and it will pop off the track mount. What’s more, the Omega locks it into place and offers effortless adjustment.
3. Kast King Fishing Rod Rack
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Product Features
- Materials: Aluminium
- Dimensions: 13 by 29 by 28.5 inches
- Capacity: 24 fishing rods
- Weight: 4.8 pounds
Kast King Fishing Rod Rack helps keep your fishing rods organized to prevent accidents around the house or storage area. The best thing about a fishing rod rack is that it helps save on space. This particular model can hold a maximum of 24 fishing rods and it features a compact frame that can fit anywhere with ease. The frame is made with a lightweight aluminium that’s not only good looking but also sturdy enough to provide long-lasting durability.
The padded cradles help keep the fishing rods scratch free. Kast King Fishing Rod Rack holds stakeout poles, paddles and other long and narrow objects.
Pros
- Kast King Fishing Rod Rack is made of sturdy and corrosion resistant aluminium
- It helps save on space
- This fishing rack holds up to a maximum of 24 fishing rods
Cons
- Kast King Fishing Rod Rack has no wheels
Kast King Fishing Rod Rack is best suited for a garage setting. This rack features a compact and sturdy platform that can comfortably store 24 fishing rods. It holds baitcasting, fly and spinning rods, spaced evenly to prevent them from tangling. The padded cradles ensure the fishing rods are free from scratches. You can set adjustable racks to hold different types of fishing rods. What’s more, the aluminium frame is rust free.
4. Thule Rodvault ST
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Product Features
- Materials: Thermoformed reel case an aluminium rod tube
- Dimensions: 10 by 15 by 100 inches
- Capacity: 6 rods, 8ft long
- Weight: 37 pounds
Most people like Thule racks since they are durable and have innovative storage spaces and the Thule Rodvault ST is not an exception. The brand is known for their kayak roof fishing racks. Thule Rodvault ST usually hold 8ft long fly rods, six baitcasting and spinning rods. It additionally features a locking hatch to keep the fishing rod safe and secure. You can lock the rack to the crossbars for additional safety. The mounts usually fit different aftermarket and factory crossbars aluminium shaft thanks to the sharp point that you can drive into a soft ground or sand.
Thule Rodvault ST is one of the best fishing rod holders on the market as it stands solidly upright. The adjustable rod butt fits spinning and baitcasting rods in all sizes. You can remove the rod with ease thanks to the adjustable sand spike for surf rods that have long casting butts. The best thing about this fishing rod is the rod butt and V-collar as they tend to glow in dark for high visibility in poor light conditions or at night.
Pros
- This fishing rod holder features locking mounts and hatch
- The padded rod tubes help protect the fishing rod
- It features a glass infused reel case
- The aluminium rod tubes are resistant to corrosion and other external elements
Cons
- Thule Rodvault ST has limited capacity
Thule Rodvault is not only secure but also safe to transport fishing rods especially on a truck or car roof rack. This typically makes it one of the best fishing rod holders for a truck. The hatch locks effortlessly, the case usually holds six different fly, baitcasting and spinning rods while the lock mounts to the crossbar. The aluminium tubes are oversized to accommodate large stripping guides especially on heavier spinning reels.
Thule Rodvault ST is available in four rod and fly-fishing models too. It’s specially designed to effortlessly fit onto all vehicle crossbars.
5. Offshore Angler Sand Spike Rod
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Product Features
- Adjustable
- Dimensions: 50 inches
- Materials: Luminous plastic and aluminium
Offshore Angler Sand Spike Rod is best suited for the beach. A perfect fishing road for the beach should do these two things perfectly well – securely hold the fishing rod and remain attached to the ground firmly and that is exactly what the Offshore Angler Sand Spike Rod does. It additionally features a sturdy sharp pointed aluminium shaft that you can drive into the soft ground or sand. What’s more, this fishing rod tends to stand solidly upright.
Offshore Angler Sand Spike Fishing Rod features an adjustable rod butt that fit a range of sizes of spinning and baitcasting rods. You can remove the adjustable sand spike with ease for long butt surf rods for casting. The best thing about this fishing rod holder is the rod butt and V-collar that tend to glow in poo lighting conditions and at night t provide high visibility.
Pros
- Offshore Angler Sand Spike Fishing Rod comes with an adjustable butt holder that works well for longer rod butts
- The aluminium shaft is durable
- It comes with a butt holder and a luminous collar
Cons
- The butt holder and plastic collar are not sturdy enough
Offshore Angler Sand Spike Fishing Rod quite popular among shore fishermen and surf anglers owing to its low and light profile and sturdy aluminium construction. You can easily drive the sharp spike into the soft ground or sand. Plus, you can adjust the top V-collar and butt holder to fit different size casting and spinning rods. You can spot the fishing rod in poor lighting conditions and at night since the V-collar and the but holder usually glows.
Methodology
We evaluated the functionality, ergonomics and strength to come up with the best fishing rod holders on our list. We compared the rod holders in different categories looking through their performance in terms of both fishing and transportation. Generally, the flush mount holder was the best on our list owing to its low profile and sturdiness. The elevated fishing rod holder is best suited for small boats and kayaks since they are easy to remove and adjust.
The best fishing rod holders for a car or truck should keep the rod safe and secure from external elements like rain, wind and thievery. Fishing rod holders for shore and surf fishing should be easy to drive into a soft ground or sand without compromising on security. There are plenty of fishing rod holders on the market but the ones on our list stand out.
How to Choose the Best Fishing Rod Holders on the Market
You should first consider how the fishing rod holder is used before investing in one. Flush mount rod holders are usually less destructive and equally sturdy but require space under the deck. Ensure you get measurements of the space for the fishing rod tube. Elevated rod holders work well for small boaters and kayaks as it keeps the reels further away from the water. Also, avoid drilling holes until you are certain that the rod butt can clear your deck.
When it comes to storing the fishing rods, a rod rack will come in handy to keep them safe and organized. Always go for a lightweight yet sturdy rod rack for ease of transportation and moving it around even when fully loaded. Check if the rod holder is suited for the type of fishing rod you plan on storing. You’ll need more space for fishing rods with larger reels.
Conclusion
Fishing rods tend to break and for the most part, it’s not because the bigger fish snap it. Breakage is usually as a result of someone stepping on it, falling over on the boat or even at home and the door slamming on it. Fishing rod holders are investments and not conveniences in fishing time and tackle.
