Hardon Rod holders

[johncar]

Been looking for a good universal multi angle/position rod holder to replace the two fixed angle side deck mounted ones I have.
These look like what I am looking for but they are getting up there in $$ and I would like to know if anyone has fitted them and are they good and worth the cost.

http://www.hardonfishing.com.au/photo-gallery.asp

[Seahorse]

Shockingly expensive.

[Jeff72]

Been looking for a good universal multi angle/position rod holder to replace the two fixed angle side deck mounted ones I have.
These look like what I am looking for but they are getting up there in $$ and I would like to know if anyone has fitted them and are they good and worth the cost.

http://www.hardonfishing.com.au/photo-gallery.asp

Yes just a bit pricey. Would like to see the mechanism closer up. Still might need a tether on the outfit until i was confident they weren't going to lay over under big load. Could be a good thing? How about you try them for me first!

[fandtm666]

i looked at them at the boat show and was impressed

BUT

FRK me they are expensive

[bluefin59]

Yeah I looked at these at the T&T show as well and they certainly look the goods and yes way expensive so let us know how they go....matt

[FishHunter]

They look very nice but Frack they are expensive.

[deckie]

Have a look at the Cisco, Cannon dual axis and Craig rod holders.
Strong gear for half that price.

[johncar]

Have a look at the Cisco, Cannon dual axis and Craig rod holders.
Strong gear for half that price.

Thanks deckie for the other products names, I checked them all out and some good stuff there that would do the job for me. Particularly liked the Cisco. Wish these Hardon Rod Holders were a little less expensive more in line with them, and would like to see if they work well and reliable over time, I like the way they are far less extended than the US stuff and can even be flush with the deck making it a lot easier to lift a rod out under load, just retract out of the way so quickly. Probably not about to fork out that much but would hate to do so find out that they become less reliable with a couple of years of fishing. Great looking design just a bit up there. Around $150 I would be more likely to give them a go but can understand the R&D and cost of making a quality product too, assuming they are...
Would be happy to do a review on them if I could get ahold of one to trial...

[Si]

ok, i have to ask now, how expensive are they for one??

[FishHunter]

I think it was $249 on their website

[deckie]

Thanks deckie for the other products names, I checked them all out and some good stuff there that would do the job for me. Particularly liked the Cisco. Wish these Hardon Rod Holders were a little less expensive more in line with them, and would like to see if they work well and reliable over time, I like the way they are far less extended than the US stuff and can even be flush with the deck making it a lot easier to lift a rod out under load, just retract out of the way so quickly. Probably not about to fork out that much but would hate to do so find out that they become less reliable with a couple of years of fishing. Great looking design just a bit up there. Around $150 I would be more likely to give them a go but can understand the R&D and cost of making a quality product too, assuming they are...
Would be happy to do a review on them if I could get ahold of one to trial...
I can understand that as well mate..but geez its a rod holder..surely when they were doing the RnD they always knew it'd be a stretch to sell something for $250 that most think are expensive at $100. Are they out and about in the usual haunts like paying for favorable magazine "reviews" or flogging them at tournaments ? PLENTY of competition...they'd do very well to offer a few out there to guys like yourself for a test drive just to get the name going. How much of a niche market can there be for boutique rod holders ?

The short cradle cisco looks a beast as an allrounder and might be the answer to being easier for u to get the rod out under load. Normally that type used for lighter tackle and easy to get rod out...but these look tough as hell and made to haul loaded downrigged gear. The tube styles can be layed fairly flat when not in use and some have thumbscrews to quickly remove or swap sides, like having 4 mounts and 2 holders.

Its still just a design we're expected to pay $250 for. Plus looks like a major install by comparison, and major patch if u dont like them and want them gone.
Good luck choosing.

[Jettson]

i have had a pair of these rod holders installed on the bait board of my boat for about 10 months and cant falt them.

Had been looking around for a long time for a product like this, they are just so practical.

i am going to get another set i dont mind paying for quality.

[johncar]

Thanks Jettson, That is good feedback and when seeing something that seems a great design but quite expensive relative for what it is used for, I have to be sure it's pretty bullet proof, mind you I have paid too much for fishing gear that has been less that reliable.

As deckie was saying, its a big patch up job if it doesn't work well over time, not to mention the potential loss of my favourite rod and reel so it's a bit of a leap of faith with a new product.

[Jeff72]

John, remember you have the big advantage of an unpainted platey. If the hardon option is primarily to sort out another issue (eg angles or drainage etc) you could change what you have possibly? If not yes they are expensive but if they work for you you'll use them every trip unlike all the other items on our boats we only use occassionally. In the scheme of things if you can afford them they're probably 0.5% of your boats worth for 2.

[deckie]

Jeff...if u can assure us that u dont have a vested interest in these rod holders (plz dont take that the wrong way) its all great advice coz nothing replaces advice from someone actually using them.
BUT...could you explain the actual advantages you have discovered over both flush mount and tube style rod holders at about 1/3rd the price for quality gear.
There are just so many fully adjustable holders about, as well as quickly removed ones that it'd be good to hear a practical assessment. Afterall the price difference over just two rod holders is seriously significant and would really need to be justified....it doesnt matter if we're Bill Gates, noone likes that feeling of unnecessary expense.
i.e. did you find the price difference equates to a definite advantage for you ? They might be "quality" but thats about the only way to market something at 2-3 times the price...needs to be a definite practical advantage rather than just being "innovative". Are they worth it u reckon ?
Steve.

[Jeff72]

Jeff...if u can assure us that u dont have a vested interest in these rod holders (plz dont take that the wrong way) its all great advice coz nothing replaces advice from someone actually using them.
BUT...could you explain the actual advantages you have discovered over both flush mount and tube style rod holders at about 1/3rd the price for quality gear.
There are just so many fully adjustable holders about, as well as quickly removed ones that it'd be good to hear a practical assessment. Afterall the price difference over just two rod holders is seriously significant and would really need to be justified....it doesnt matter if we're Bill Gates, noone likes that feeling of unnecessary expense.
i.e. did you find the price difference equates to a definite advantage for you ? They might be "quality" but thats about the only way to market something at 2-3 times the price...needs to be a definite practical advantage rather than just being "innovative". Are they worth it u reckon ?
Steve.
Steve, no offence taken i ABSOLUTELY DO NOT have any interest in them or know them. I,m egging on john (i do know him) so he tests them for me/us. I am building a large platey at the moment and despite spending big $$$ will be using standard fair as built by origin. Only someone who has them could really determine if they're worth it so its a big call to put money like that down. A few have seen them at the tinny show this year, i didn't notice them actually. I have ram tubes on my hobie kayak which are a little similar and they're great. No good for bluewater fishing (plastic). Would their similar concept in a heavy duty version on a bay/offshore rig be as useful????? Jury is out for me. I have enough to worry about. I can only assume and hope that the $$$ is an indication of an extreme quality aussie made product that justifies that price point. Sorry john i wont hijack your post anymore.

[Jettson]

i am feeling obliged to comment, i am one of those members who enjoys reading but not posting.

Anyway as i have said before i am extreemly happy with these rod holders.In my case I use them mostly when I am floatlining with baitrunner reels. I just flick the lever fully extend the tube and point the tube in the direction of the current so easy. with the tube fully extended it makes it so much easier to grab the rod and flick the baitrunner into gear.(somtimes hard to do in the heat of the moment)

As to a potential patch up job if removing, when i installed mine i diddent have to make the original hole that much bigger and it could be covered by a standard fixed rod holder.

hope this helps.

[johncar]

i am feeling obliged to comment, i am one of those members who enjoys reading but not posting.

Anyway as i have said before i am extreemly happy with these rod holders.In my case I use them mostly when I am floatlining with baitrunner reels. I just flick the lever fully extend the tube and point the tube in the direction of the current so easy. with the tube fully extended it makes it so much easier to grab the rod and flick the baitrunner into gear.(somtimes hard to do in the heat of the moment)

As to a potential patch up job if removing, when i installed mine i diddent have to make the original hole that much bigger and it could be covered by a standard fixed rod holder.

hope this helps.

Yes thanks very much Jettson, your feedback is much apppreciated. I too fish regularly float lining with a baitrunner or two so it is nice to have the rod tip angled appropriately to avoid any tangles. As Deckie pointed out there are obviously other solutions out there to do that which look very good also. I am just a bit of a sucker for inovation and utility and I just haven't seen a rod holder that allows multi angles while still relatively flush with the deck and of course slide it out to give full 360 degree rotation. A limitation however that some of the surface mounted ones have like the Cisco etc is the ability to lay flat if needed and that can be handy also.
The ball and socket is a proven design, me being an ex drummer, many of my kits used that type of mount with quite a lot of weight and belting them around so it should be good and durable if quality components are used. Some of those fittings were expensive too by the way..

Do you know of any keener pricing on them or can they only be bought from one supplier.

Anyway I appreciate your taking the time to comment.

[Aussie123]

Yes thanks very much Jettson, your feedback is much apppreciated. I too fish regularly float lining with a baitrunner or two so it is nice to have the rod tip angled appropriately to avoid any tangles. As Deckie pointed out there are obviously other solutions out there to do that which look very good also. I am just a bit of a sucker for inovation and utility and I just haven't seen a rod holder that allows multi angles while still relatively flush with the deck and of course slide it out to give full 360 degree rotation. A limitation however that some of the surface mounted ones have like the Cisco etc is the ability to lay flat if needed and that can be handy also.
The ball and socket is a proven design, me being an ex drummer, many of my kits used that type of mount with quite a lot of weight and belting them around so it should be good and durable if quality components are used. Some of those fittings were expensive too by the way..

Do you know of any keener pricing on them or can they only be bought from one supplier.

Anyway I appreciate your taking the time to comment.

Traditionally they have been selling the rod holders themselves but they are currently looking into allowing others to sell their products.
I had a long discussion with one of the owners last week about selling them but I have not heard back from them yet.
What they did say about the price is that because it is a new product with a small sales turnover the production costs are very high which is totally understandable for any new product.
They are hoping to get the price down once their sales pick up and production costs per unit drop.
I had a good look at these at the T&T show and they do look unreal.
I will definitely be grabbing a couple for my tinny at some stage because not only being a great flush deck rod holder I think I could also use them a few times a year as a fully adjustable set of outrigger bases.

[Fed]

These are not as pretty but you can remove them when you're not using them and the important thing is they work & they work really well.
82143
About $100 a pair.
I was going to bend the main tube to flatten out the rods a bit but after trying them first I decided not to.

[deckie]

Sorry but still not convinced there's any advantage to them. Luv the idea of new tech, but still needs to be an actual advantage by comparison to what's already available...especially at the price, which from what aussie says up there sounds like simply paying for their RnD costs plus paying prototype prices before they sort their manufacturing.

Here's how i read it...most boats already have flush mount holders. These are generally positioned for trolling. What most boats dont have is multidirectional STRONG adjustable holders that can drop flat for set baits and handle heavier gear, be it floating baits or bottom bouncing. If a boat already has the trolling side covered with flush mounts i cant see any advantage adding to it with more...when its simply the adjustable element of them required. Brand new glass/plate might be different.

With these retracted u simply have a flush mount yeah ?
With these in the up position you simply have a tube style yeah ?

the DISadvantage i see by comparison with quality gear already out there is they are neither moveable not removeable. With some of the U.S designed tube style it takes 10 secs and u can move them to anywhere u like...just buy extra deck/rail/flush mounts and two rod holders is effectively 4 or 6. Less "stuff" on board for exactly the same result.

What i'm saying is if you already have flush mounts i see these as a disadvantage compared to some others.

Another alrernative is a scotty striker which can have flush moutns and moved anywhere, fully adjustable, strong as well as easier to get the rod out under load.

Just sayin...not only exie but i still fail to see a true advantage. New tech/design is great to talk about...just throwing it out there. We luv to look at this sort of stuff and looks impreassive but is it actually a disadvantage compared to what is already out there if u already have flush mounts positioned where u want them ?

[nigelr]

I use the Scotty Orcas; I have 3 with 6 bases strategically positioned on the side decks. I had to import them as they are not available here anymore, I believe. They lock firmly into a multitude of positions, and have a lockable closure. Easily removed when not required. Never had an issue with them, simple, versatile and very strong. Super quick and easy to release the rod under load.
Paid about $160 for two from the US delivered. The Hardons look great, but my $ goes for the comparatively fugly Orcas, I love 'em. Just throwin' it out there.
Coincident to your post, I am about to replace the last 2 tube-style rod holders in the rear corners of my boat. I'll be affixing a piece of plate alloy over the holes and then adding a Scotty mount to each for the Orcas. Two additional features I love, they dont leak water and with the locking device you will never lose a rod and reel 'jumping out' in transit.::)

[johncar]

Thanks nigelr, I have seen these types around, they look the goods also with the right mounts, just hard to find a seller with all the range of bits. Plastic has some benefits with being used in a Tinnie eliminating any metal to metal clanging and corosion etc. More to check out lol.

[Smithy]

Surprised Col never mentioned the ones he is working on with Scotty Nofrills when you were at Origin Boats the other day. Get back onto Col and see what he can do for you.

[MAXXEMAN]

I am sorry to bring up a very old thread, but I would like to get my hands on at least one more of these rod holders.

I realise that they have gone out of business , but would someone know where I could buy one or more of these?

Thanks, Maxx