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Looking for some opinions, going to add some more rod holders before spring season.  Currently I am running a pair of big Jon manual riggers with a pair of rod holders on a gimbal mount, and two Cisco gimbal adapters with a pair of adjustables, total of 8.  Keeping flexible and quick to strip is important, I pull the forward rod holders out of the gimbals to put the cockpit cover on at the dock. 

I could add larger plates to the Cisco gimbal mounts, and put two additional rod holders per side.  Would be 6 per side then, but would be running all dipsy and planer rods horizontally. 

Or, I could add a pair of trees.  The boat has a very long windshield which is great for keeping out of the wind, but with how far back it comes, the tree options would be either on the gunnel over the windshield, or I could mount them to my gimbal adapters. Only concern there would be how far back to the transom they would be mounted. 

If you had a preference, keep horizontal, or go with trees.  And if trees, over the windshield where the red line is, or mounted to the gimbal adapters about where the green line is?  

 

Another pic from in the boat.  The trees outside of the windsheild would also be over the rear seat. 

 

Looks like a great set up to me, definitely maximizing your dual purpose boat! I don’t think any of your options are bad. How would the Bimini work with the trees, and trouble being able to reach rods? Having the trees mounted as far forward as possible would be my preference. The only reason I would see to keep the rods horizontal would be if you have crew that might not be able to reach a rod in the trees.

Off topic, but what are you doing for troll boat control? Do you have an auto pilot or speed control? Good rod holders and trees aren’t cheap. Depending on your current set up, adding putting that cash towards autopilot or a probe might put more fish in your boat than adding the extra 4 or even 6 rods to your spread.

Thanks, trying to have one boat that does it all! The bimini clearance would be close, but I would say it spends most of its time folded up like the photo. The reach actually is a better point of concern than I had not thought much of. I could reach it, but not sure everyone else could easily, especially with the seats there. Something definitely to chew on.

No auto pilot or speed control unfortunately, with the cable actuated power steering options are limited. We ran a Raytheon Sportpilot back in the 90's, and I have been on the lookout for a used complete setup. They have very mixed reviews, but we had good luck with ours, I wish I had pulled it off that boat.

Fish hawk has been on my radar, and I wish I had bought one before all of this inflation drove their prices through the roof. In 2 years I think the X4 went from 750 to 1k. I know they make a difference, I just have a hard time spending 1k on it.

saw X-4 on Lake Ontario United classifieds $600. I have bought some stuff off there last couple years and got rid of some stuff also.

Idk if this helps but this is what I did with 2 flush rod holders. If your interested I can go more in depth. I used traxtech. 

Tim, your setup is slick, it was one that I had wished I had seen before I set my boat up.

Since you posted I will ask, how long are your tracks, and how easily do they remove with one being strait back, and one angled outward?

Immitation is the sincerest form of flattery they say.

Thanks Joez, the tracks are 4 ft, could go longer but I wanted room to step on to the side of the boat if needed. The gimbles are easy its 4 screws per mount. I could probably take off one side in 5 min, tree, riggers whole thing.

Also if your looking for a cable steering auto pilot I use Sitex sp120 and works great. I have cable power steering and the package comes with everything you need. Used it all year.

Interesting, I had looked at them previously but only saw a setup for post 93 Mercruiser, but after some more digging they do offer one that would work for mine. Will have to do some research.