Backing plate for planer rod?

[bigjohnnc]

So I hear people talking about needing a backing plate on rod holders for fishing a planer rod due to the intense pressure. Is that necessary? This would be on a Grady Canyon 271.

 

[brdawg2001]

I would be more worried about the rod holder itself...I would just run it off the cleat. I run 2 dredges off cleats...and 2 teasers off the riggers...and 7 rods...so I do not use planers..

 

[bigjohnnc]

I just want an easy planer rod setup plus the ability to high speed troll. Just trying to see if it’ll handle it safely.

 

[glacierbaze]

It all depends on what kind of a day the rigger who installed them was having, and the holes they drilled in the boat. I have seen properly sized holes, where all 3 bolts had plenty of bite in the wood, and good sized washers, or backing plates. I have also seen over sized holes, where the 3 screws, or bolts, were barely hanging on. All on Gradys. You have to look and see what you have as a starting point.

 

[ROBERTH]

The gunnels on my 252 are very thick and very strong. I do not have backup plates but used the largest washers that would fit. One if them if I recall I had to trim due to the angle of the holder in the way.
I pull a 50w with a #6 to #8 planar and the stress is incredible, but no flexing or issue with the rod holder or gunnel. It can handle it if it is build the same on your model, and I would think it is.
I have fished with cleats and Planar rods. Planars are way more efficient and have a higher hookup ratio in my experience. We land a lot of wahoo with the planar rods so they are worth it!

 

[bigjohnnc]

Thanks! I’ll check it out in detail when I get back down to the coast.

Where do you fish out of if I may ask? I’ve only got a handful of blue water trips under my belt.

 

[ROBERTH]

Hey BigJohn, I fish out of MHC.

 

[Mustang65fbk]

I was curious about this as well when I installed some Burnewiin brand rod/downrigger mounts on the gunwales of my 228 Seafarer. I made a phone call to GW and they said that I did NOT need the backing plates, although the dealer that I bought the mounts from said that Burnewiin always recommends them. I figured for $10 a side, or whatever they were, that it would be cheap insurance a bit better peace of mind in not losing a rod, downrigger or ripping out the mounts and putting a hole in one of my gunwales. I think that's obviously on the extreme side, but for the $20 total spent on backing plates, I'd rather go that route than worry about an issue later on. I think the gunwales on our boats are quite stout and I doubt that there would've been any issue had I not used the backing plates. Also, taking off the standard GW gunwale rod holders that I replaced with the Burnewiin mounts, I don't think that those had backing plates on them. I say if the rod holders you're looking at purchasing come with backing plates or they're easily/cheaply/readily available then by all means use them. But I also wouldn't go out of my way spending a ton of time, money or putting in a ton of effort trying to get something that really isn't needed though.

 

[glacierbaze]

Put your biggest rod, with braid, with the max drag that you will ever use, in the rod holder. Have a friend 30-40 feet behind the boat jerk and pull as aggressively as he can, and see how it feels with your hand on the bottom or the rod holder, under the gunnel. A straight rod will stress the rod holder much more than a bent butt.
The only planers I fish are #1's and 2's, along the beach for spanish mackerel. If I was setting up to high speed troll for tuna or wahoo, it would be with a heavy duty Lee, or similar, zero degree swiveling rod holder, with backing plates. and a bent butt rod.
It is easier to prevent damage than it is to repair it.