So, you’re ready to go fishing. Your tackle box is stocked, your boat has a full tank of gas, and your fish boxes are ready to be filled. Now wait a minute, you just remembered you never got around to installing rod holders—yikes!

Luckily, installing your own fishing rod holders on your boat is fairly easy, but before you get started, you’ll need to determine what degrees you’ll be angling your holders. In most cases, anglers opt for either 0-, 15-, or 30-degree angles for their rod holders for boats. What’s the difference between the three? Let’s find out.

0-Degree Rod Holders

When you install your rod holders at 0-degrees, that means that they will be straight up with no angle at all. These are usually the easiest to install because they require the least amount of space. Keep in mind that the higher the degree of slant, the more space you’ll need below the gunwale in order to successfully install your rod holder.

In addition to holding fishing rods, these rod holders are also commonly used to set up a removable barbecue grill, a table, drink holder or bar attachment, and other add-on accessories.

15-Degree Rod Holders

As you move the angle to 15-degrees, you’ll need to ensure there’s enough room under the gunwale to support this. At a 15-degree angle, many anglers use these rod holders for kite fishing, and then go ahead and place the holders at a 90-degree angle to the gunwale. If you are considering kite fishing, you’ll want to install about three or four rod holders in order to accommodate for the lines and the kite. At this angle, you can also go trolling.

30-Degree Rod Holders 

Speaking of trolling, there’s no doubt that 30-degree rod holders are best suited for this activity. You’ll notice that you’ll have less stress on your reel seat—especially when you get that “big bite.”

As discussed earlier, the higher the angle, the more room you’ll need below your gunwale. While 30-degrees might be your ideal angle for what you want to do with your boat, be sure your boat can handle that kind of installation before making a costly mistake. You’ll want to aim for a 22.5- to 45-degrees angle to the gunwale.

Clamp-on Rod Holders

Another great option for your boat is to install clamp-on rod holders. The clamps on these rod holders are usually adjustable for a full 360 degree rotation and they can easily be removed and placed in storage when not being used. Also, the inside of these rod holders are typically lined with rubber lining to protect your rod form butting against the walls of the rod holder.

These are a convenient option for any boater who wants to add more rod holders, but doesn't want to drill and mount them onto their boat.

Rod Holder Accessories: Replacement Liners and Caps

All rod holders are mounted either on the side, flush, or as a clamp on. After you’ve decided on your rod holder, it’s time to consider other options like replacement liners and caps.

The material type—such as plastic or stainless steel—will often determine how durable and resilient your holders stand up against seasonal wear-and-tear. Replacement liners and caps can help to keep these features looking like new.

For example, caps can help to keep out unwanted water and moisture to avoid mildew. There’s also the option of installing open-bottom holders that are effective for draining.

Looking for new fishing rod holders to install on your boat? Have a look at our inventory at Marine Depot Direct.

What kind of rod holders do you have on your boat? Share with us on Facebook, and Instagram!