Boat Mount Options

Ball Mount Pole

Pros:

  • Versatile: Tons of mounting options including rail mounts, track mounts, clamps, rod holders, etc.

  • Familiarity: The 1.5” ball is a widely recognized design

  • Quick Adjustments: Easy to loosen and adjust or tilt the pole out of the water

  • Portability: Easily move the pole around your boat to different ball mounts or a friend’s boat

Cons:

  • Costly Setup: Requires a ball mount for the pole, a connecting arm, and a ball mount for the boat

  • Speed limitations: The ball and arm may give way at higher trolling speeds

Bike Repair Stand Pole

Pros:

  • Strength & Stability: Offers robust support, staying straight up at faster trolling speeds than the ball mount

  • Affordability: Relatively inexpensive mount - the bike repair stand can be found for $25-$30 on Amazon

  • Quick Adjustments: Easy to loosen and rotate pole out of the water or remove the pole from the stand

Cons:

  • More Permanent Installation: Typically, the bike repair stand is bolted directly onto the boat making is less portable and more difficult to relocate

Cone Mount Pole

Pros:

  • Trolling Stability: The cone pole, when in the dock, cannot tip sideways when trolling like the ball and bike repair stand

  • Fast Removal: Extremely quick to pull out of the water to avoid obstacles or for transportation, enhancing convenience and safety

  • Compatibility: Pre-drilled holes allow mounting to downrigger plates that attach to a scotty rod holder or a track system for mobility

Cons:

  • Costly Setup: Requires the Stratum Dock which is not included with the pole

  • If you opt to bolt the dock directly to your boat you loose mobility