Scotty Depthpower DR rod holders

[pescador]

So my Depthpower downriggers are 8 year old. I am concerned about the plastic rod holder giving out. Fatigue after 8 years has to a risk. I see a lot of stress on the rod holder at 60 ft plus. I don't want to lose one of my Islanders. Do you guys swap out the holder with a replacement? If so what is it?

 

[gungadin]

I have never had the little plastic disc that is on the boom crack, but the holder that attaches to it has. I have replace at least two rod holders because of this. The stress was greatest on the port side as the pressure was causing the holder to separate where it meets the part on the boom, as much as 1/8th of an inch. On the starboard side the rod holder is forced into the boom and the bottom have did not separate away from the section on the boom. I have since turned the port boom 180º so that the rod holder is now on the fwd side of the boom. Essentially now the same as the starboard. I replaced the boom extension retaining nut with a lock nut so that the locking bolt would not vibrate out, as it is now on the bottom of the boom.

 

[ericl]

I'd ask Scotty. The plastic they use seems VERY tough. I never use the DR rod holders; flush mounts pointed straight back are the only way to go- getting the rod out during a strike is smooth & quick.

 

[scott craven]

I had one crack , luckily I found it before losing anything.
I switched to Strikers which are a much better product
(although you can't boom mount.)

 

[gungadin]

If you use a gearhead mount you can mount a striker on your downrigger boom. It works but l prefer the orca holder on the boom. I certainly agree that having the holders point straight back puts the least amount of stress on the plastic. This works on my port rigger, but not on the starboard (tiller motor).

 

[pescador]

What's a gear head mount? Does Scotty sell them? I've got a set of strikers I use for Hali I could mount. Is it easier to mount the Orca's? I'm good either way I just don't trust the factory ones anymore. Tx for suggestions guys.

 

[salmonlander]

You can mount rod holders of any make or model on the rigger booms using this attachment by Folbe, I have had mine on for 6 years.

 

[gungadin]

http://www.scotty.com/fishing-gear-equipment/rod-holders/gearheadmounts.htm.

I will use them sometimes on the boom if l want the rod either facing more forward for a long whippy rod, or to the rear if stacking on a HP rigger.