New owner: 2820 XLD

[Lobman]

After many years of waiting.. pulled the trigger on a 2020 2820 XLD. I will be setting up for bottom fishing and trolling, which will include tuna and swords. Any recommendations on heavy duty swivel rod holders for swords when on the anchor?

 

[pelagic2530]

Welcome! No first hand experience with the swivels, but anything by Lee's is hard to go wrong with. I'm sure other members have some input, or you can search through the Projects forum. Lots of good info there!

 

[onthehook]

You can buy inserts for the standard rod holder on line for about $50..

 

[John_Madison CT]

After many years of waiting.. pulled the trigger on a 2020 2820 XLD. I will be setting up for bottom fishing and trolling, which will include tuna and swords. Any recommendations on heavy duty swivel rod holders for swords when on the anchor?

Where do you fish for Swords while at anchor?

 

[nicknotsebastian]

for some really excellent commercial quality real gbft strength rod holders for a VERY good price call Joe at:

+1 (978) 701-2041

he’s got a machine shop in the boston area. i have three of his holders on my parker 2501 and they have performed flawlessly for gbft to 800#.

tell him capt ethan referred you.

 

[Antidote]

You can drop a golfball in the rod holders you have and the rod will swivel.

 

[Legal Bill]

What Captain Ethan said above.

See also Gem Lux for a different look and “no screw” attachment. They are more expensive than Joe, but you can get a 20% discount with the Hull Truth code.

I assume you know about the need for backing plates.

 

[dstanl01]

I have Lees rh577xl and rh577 0 degree on my 2820–used for tuna—using bent butt #6. The 577xl are about 14.5” and the regular 577 are about 10.5”. Both work fine. Your reel height will be different when cranking depending on the rod holder length. Having the reel higher or lower may feel more comfortable. With a tapered rod butt you get slightly more play in the holder the shorter it is. Sometimes it can mean more racking noise when sitting on anchor with the boat rolling. Cheapest price I’ve seen on lees is anchorexpress. There are other good brands as well. J&L is popular. It’s good to plan ahead where you place the holders. The sides of the boat taper in so as the rod holders get closer to the inside of the boat the closer they are to the edge of the rail. They may interfere with storage under the rails. Also consider where the rod tip will be as it swings. When you take all those things into consideration there are limited spots. Having a spot to fight a fish on the bow can be handy. Tried to find some pics showing the holders—those are the xls. I have three on each side and the one in the bow.