Pics of final rigging for SS SkunkedAgain

While we are waiting for Brad to post some pictures of the rigged SS DaveChaser, here are a few of the final rigging I did to my boat. I had the spider rig holders in since last October, but never did anything to store the rods while trailering or running on the water.

During the Holidays and while I was waiting the arrival of my permanent license, I decided to tackle the job of creating storage holders for my rods while not fishing. I used 1x3 spruce and pvc pipe to make the holders and mounted them to the vertical surfaces on my boat adjacent to the gunwales. I have space for 16 rods in the spider rigs and made the storage racks big enough to hold 16 rods.

I currently take 12 rods with me: 8 for the front set of spider rigs, 2 for cast and retrieve, and 2 for slip floating in shallow waters.

Here are the pictures:

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...A/HPIM0026.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...A/HPIM0025.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...A/HPIM0024.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...A/HPIM0023.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...A/HPIM0027.jpg

I tested everything out at Beaverdam today. The attendant at the concession indicated the crappie are still widely scattered and not many are being caught. Bass are hitting crank baits trolled in the main channel. I have used that pattern on many occasions to catch a mess of nice crappie. The water temp was 45 and the water was slightly stained. I marked fish 10-15 feet deep in several places. They would not take my jigs or minnows. The front two rods were set at 10' and the second set were set at 9'. I had just moved into 8' of water when I took the last photo so the rods were dragging bottom. That is what they look like when I have a fish on though.:D

I think I'm ready for the 28th and for a few runs to Kerr in March/April.

I made some like that for my center console when I had it. They work great. BTW, you didn't have to say those poles were hung on the bottom, I thought you had a couple fish on.

Nice looking rig, to tell the truth though, I'm more envious of the snow free ground and ice free water in the pics! We had our first snow before Halloween, and it was a brisk 3 degrees this morning with our normal fresh dusting of snow! I'm in Susquehanna county PA, and the Susquehanna river is ice free right now, How about I throw a rubber duck in the water here and you let me know when it gets to you. LOL!

That set up is Sweet! Very nice work. The poor crappie don't stand a chance!!!:D Go get 'um!

Dayton

That is way more rigs than I fish with but I know you troll alot and that sure looks like a handy set-up.
Jeff

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Originally Posted by horseshoer

That is way more rigs than I fish with but I know you troll alot and that sure looks like a handy set-up.
Jeff

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I start out with 4 or 6 rods out and adjust the number according to how well I can keep up with the number of fish on. In cases where I get up to 8 rods out, the bite is slow.

That's a great idea and good looking job. You don't have a patent yet, do you?

When you going to add the new boat to your web site? Are the rod holders just plain pvc pipe, what size if so?

You might want to check them rods again - i still think you got a bite

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Originally Posted by crap-king

You might want to check them rods again - i still think you got a bite

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See Keith, I think you lost a new state record on that one pole.

Pan Man, Nice looking setup! Do you have the rods broken down (two pieces) and if so are you securing the top part, or just holding in place by the line?

Thanks

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Originally Posted by SteveJ

When you going to add the new boat to your web site? Are the rod holders just plain pvc pipe, what size if so?

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One of these days I may add the new boat to my website. That will have to wait until we get a long cold stretch when I can't do much else to kill the time. I leave my old boat there so others can take the ideas I had and improve on them for their own boats. It is just plain 1" light duty (230 psi) pvc available at any home improvement store.

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Originally Posted by wvspec

Pan Man, Nice looking setup! Do you have the rods broken down (two pieces) and if so are you securing the top part, or just holding in place by the line?

Thanks

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I break the longer (9' and over) rods down and let the line keep the upper section in place. I tuck the upper section behind the reel handle to keep it from moving around too much. They move very little at highway speeds. I keep the shorter, one piece, rods for casting in the back and they are just fine.

I see only one issue, don't forget to take 'em down, b4 backing in the garage.

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Originally Posted by sls

I see only one issue, don't forget to take 'em down, b4 backing in the garage.

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Yes, all rods lay in the bottom of the boat when going in and out of the garage. I don't think my wife will let me modify that door.