Rod Holders For Kayak
Best Rod Holders for Kayak Fishing
Flush-mount, track-mount, and RAM ball-mount rod holders compared for kayak fishing, with real prices and which mounting style fits your kayak.
A rod holder sounds like the simplest purchase in kayak fishing until you actually try to mount one, and discover your kayak’s deck doesn’t have anywhere flat enough to drill, or you already have a track system you’d rather not duplicate hardware for. The mounting style matters as much as the holder itself.
This is the Rigging & Paddling Accessories entry in our kayak fishing accessories guide. Rod holders also compete for the same rail space as a kayak fish finder mount, so it’s worth planning both at once rather than one at a time.
Key Takeaways
- Three real mounting styles exist: flush-mount (drilled into the deck), track-mount (clips into an existing accessory rail), and RAM ball-mount (a swiveling ball-and-socket system).
- Budget flush-mount rod holders start around $12.99; Scotty’s 281 rod holder with flush deck mount runs $28.99.
- Track-mount options avoid new drilling if your kayak already has rail: YakAttack’s Zooka II runs $42.95, and RAM’s Track Ball rod holder runs $36.99.
- RAM’s ball-mount system is rated to a 4-lb capacity on its standard C-size ball and allows 360-degree adjustment, useful for angling a rod out of the way while paddling.
- Plan rod holder position alongside your fish finder and phone mount before drilling or installing anything, since all three often compete for the same limited rail or deck space.
Jump to a section:
- Rod Holder Types at a Glance
- Flush-Mount Rod Holders
- Track-Mount Rod Holders
- RAM Ball-Mount Rod Holders
- How Many Rod Holders Do You Need?
- Who Should Choose What
- Frequently Asked Questions
Rod Holder Types at a Glance
| Mount Type | Example Product | Approx. Price | Requires Drilling? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flush mount (budget) | Generic low-profile flush mount | $12.99 | Yes |
| Flush mount (branded kit) | Scotty 281 w/ 244 flush deck mount | $28.99 | Yes |
| Track mount | YakAttack Zooka II (LockNLoad) | $42.95 | No, if you already have a compatible track |
| Track/ball mount | RAM ROD with Track Ball base | $36.99 | No, if you already have a compatible track |
Flush-Mount Rod Holders
A flush-mount rod holder is the traditional, permanent option, installed by drilling a hole through the deck and bedding the holder’s base flush against the surface. A basic, generic low-profile flush-mount holder runs about $12.99, while Scotty’s 281 rod holder paired with its 244 flush deck mount, a widely used branded combination, runs $28.99 (Scotty via eBay listing; Scotty’s flush deck mounts measure 4″L x 2″W x 2″H and fit all of Scotty’s post-mount rod holders).
The tradeoff is permanence: once you’ve drilled, the holder’s position is fixed, and moving it later means patching the old hole. This is the right call for anglers who know exactly where they want a holder and don’t plan to reposition gear often.
Verdict: the lowest-cost, most permanent option, best for anglers confident in their preferred rod position.
Track-Mount Rod Holders
If your kayak already has an accessory track (a mounting rail, like YakAttack’s GearTrac or a similar system), a track-mount rod holder avoids new drilling entirely. YakAttack’s Zooka II uses its own track-mounted LockNLoad system and runs $42.95. RAM’s competing option, the RAM ROD with a Track Ball base, uses a T-bolt attachment compatible with “virtually any track system including RAM’s own Tough-Track” and runs $36.99, with a C-size (1.5-inch) ball rated to 4 lbs (RAM Mounts).
Track-mount holders can be repositioned or removed entirely without leaving a hole, which matters if you’re still figuring out your ideal rigging layout or you fish with different rod counts on different trips.
Verdict: worth the price premium over flush mounting if you already have compatible track, or you want the flexibility to reposition later.
RAM Ball-Mount Rod Holders
RAM’s ball-and-socket system deserves its own mention separately from “track mount” because the ball joint itself is the feature: once clamped to a track ball base, the rod holder swivels through a wide range of angles rather than staying fixed the way a flush or rigid track mount does. That’s useful for angling a rod up and out of paddling range when you’re not actively fishing it, then dropping it back down when you are.
The 4-lb capacity rating on RAM’s standard C-size ball is worth checking against your actual rod-and-reel combo weight, especially with heavier saltwater or trolling setups, since exceeding a ball joint’s rated capacity risks it slipping under load rather than failing outright.
Verdict: the right pick if you want to reposition a rod’s angle throughout the day, not just its mounting location.
How Many Rod Holders Do You Need?
Most kayak anglers run two to four rod holders: one or two for actively fished rods within easy reach, and one or two more for a backup or trolling setup. There’s no fixed right number, since it depends on how many techniques you fish in a single outing, but more holders than you actually use just adds unused hardware and weight to the deck.
Who Should Choose What
You know exactly where you want your rod holder and don’t plan to move it: Flush mounting is the cheapest, most permanent option, and Scotty’s branded kit is a well-documented standard if you want the recognized name.
Your kayak already has track, or you’re still finalizing your rigging layout: A track-mount holder (YakAttack or RAM) avoids new drilling and lets you reposition as you figure out what actually works for your fishing style.
You want to swing a rod out of the way while paddling, then back into position while fishing: RAM’s ball-mount system is built specifically for that kind of repositioning.
Whatever you choose, plan the position relative to your other rail-mounted gear first, including your phone mount. A rod holder that blocks your paddle stroke or crowds your electronics mount is a layout problem worth solving on paper before you drill or clamp anything down, and the same logic applies to sizing your paddle to a kayak that’s now more crowded with rigging than it was stock.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to drill my kayak to install a rod holder?
Only for a flush-mount holder. Track-mount and RAM ball-mount systems clip or clamp onto an existing accessory rail without new drilling, as long as your kayak already has a compatible track installed.
How many rod holders should a fishing kayak have?
Most anglers run two to four: one or two for actively fished rods, and one or two more for backups or trolling setups. There’s no universal right number; it depends on how many techniques and rods you’re running in a single outing.
What’s the difference between a track mount and a RAM ball mount?
A basic track mount clips into an accessory rail and generally stays in a fixed position once set. A RAM ball-mount system also attaches to a track (via a track ball base) but adds a swiveling ball joint, letting you adjust the rod holder’s angle, not just its rail position.
Can a rod holder hold a heavy trolling or saltwater setup?
Check the specific holder’s rated capacity first. RAM’s standard C-size ball, for example, is rated to 4 lbs. A heavier rod-and-reel combo, or one used for trolling with added drag, may need a holder rated for more weight than the standard consumer-grade option provides.
How This Guide Is Researched
OutdoorIdol’s gear guidance is built from manufacturer specifications and published retailer pricing, not paid placement. We do not claim hands-on testing we haven’t done. See our about page for how these guides are written and by whom.
Conclusion
The right rod holder depends more on your kayak’s existing hardware than on brand: flush mounting is cheapest and most permanent, track mounting avoids new drilling if you already have rail, and a RAM ball mount adds on-the-fly angle adjustment on top of track mounting. Plan the position against your other rail-mounted gear before committing to any of the three.
