TOPIC:

Ok for years I have had my boats set up with the atwood rod holders... yeah I know cheap... this year is the first year I have had any kind of problem with them. I have had one break at the pivot -13# coho and one go from straight vertical to flat horizontal in a second from the steelhead I missed yesterday.
So here's the question: when I upgrade should I go with a tree or single holders?
Factors: I use big boards whenever possible, I want to be able to set up at least 4 rods on the boards 2 on each side.
Would a tree even work?
What works for you?

I dont use big boards, at least not yet - just inlines and I have trees. I get all my holders from Great Lakes Planers. Fair price and well made. I had the atwood stuff for the first few months I had my boat, needless to say I have it no more.

I know some guys use single holders and it works out well, so I am not sure there is a wrong answer.

I have set up my boat with a set of Big Jon trees. I converted to big boards for this year and love the new set up. We fish here and Lake Erie and it makes more sense for us to go this route. It allows us to fish lighter gear as we aren't pulling boards.
Spring fishing becomes more fun this way and when fishing the walleye like in fall the bite can be light, but you can see the tip of the rod tighten up to let you know theres a fish on if the line is still in the release clip. Others are using rod holders back to back running along the the gunnel of the boat. We haven't had any bad issues and can fish coppers off this set up with no problems.