Thread: What rod holder to purchase?

I've got a Mr Crappie T-bar with 4 holders sitting on the floor behind me.
I got it at Cabelas (on sale for $75). Haven't installed it yet but I can tell you this much: It is very sturdy and well designed. It is BIG... 26" bar. It adjusts and can be removed from the base without any tools. The holders are a bit stiff when removing from the T-bar but a little parafin or soap should cure that. When removing the T-bar from the base or removing a holder from the T-bar, the bar (or holder) must be pulled up and turned 180 degrees before it will come completly off. A safety feature I find annoying... but would keep a holder from falling in the lake.
If I keep the unit, I will add the 6" extender to raise the entire bar enough to clear my trolling mtr when the bar is mounted in the front. It's ok the way it is when mounted on the sides or in the back. The bar itself raises the holders 11" from where they would be if flush mounted.

I am considering returning the unit only because I have a very small boat (Champion Mean 16), and would prefer a smaller bar. I am considering the Hi Tek but am leaning toward the Bee Ready http://www.beereadys.com/ 3 holder model with riser because it is only 12" wide and because it looks like it would be easier to adjust and move around using multiple bases than the Hi Tek. If I planned to spider rig all the time... and had the cash to put 4 units on the boat, it wouldn't matter but I'd like to install 4 bases so I could move both units to the front for spider rigging or one in the bow and one in the back when still fishing or drifting with a buddy.

Like you, I'd appreciate any input from anyone who uses their T-bars this way.

Originally Posted by ShortStorie

I am considering returning the unit only because I have a very small boat (Champion Mean 16), and would prefer a smaller bar. I am considering the Hi Tek but am leaning toward the Bee Ready http://www.beereadys.com/ 3 holder model with riser because it is only 12" wide and because it looks like it would be easier to adjust and move around using multiple bases than the Hi Tek. If I planned to spider rig all the time... and had the cash to put 4 units on the boat, it wouldn't matter but I'd like to install 4 bases so I could move both units to the front for spider rigging or one in the bow and one in the back when still fishing or drifting with a buddy.

Like you, I'd appreciate any input from anyone who uses their T-bars this way.

The Hi-Tek holders are very easy to move around with extra bases and are more adjustable than the Bee Ready. Then again I do make them and I am probably bias but there are several people on this site that uses them. Maybe another user can add some input.