A Build-Your-Own Rod Holder For Pier Fishing

Often there are times when anglers like to still-fish natural baits and have their hands free to do other things, like cast with another rod.  Great Lakes' piers are concrete structures that extend the shoreline beyond a port or harbor.  Those like the Michigan City Pier offer few places to brace and secure a rod and reel for hands-free, damage-free fishing.  A discussion of a portable rod holder's construction follows.  I hope that this item can assist you on your next pier-fishing trip.

Components:

• Attwood® 2in1™ Rod Holder (RH-46) or
• Attwood® Heavy-Duty, Adjustable, 2in1™ Rod Holder (RH-40)
• Attwood® Flush Mount Base (5022-6)
• 5-Gallon Bucket
• Bucket Lid
• Galvanized Pan-head or Round-head Bolts, Washers, and Nuts (4 each)
• 40-Foot Nylon Rope
• Spring-loaded Clip

Tools:

• Power Drill (?-inch)
• Hole Saw (1¼-inch diameter)
• Drill Bit for Bolts
• Slot (or Phillips) Screwdriver
• Adjustable Wrench
• Marking Pen or Pencil

If the bucket lid is brand new, you need to cover the bucket with it and then seal the lid by pounding its edge with a mallet.  Next, break the edge seal by grabbing the tab and pulling it completely off.  To remove the lid, grab each lid section and bend them upward in succession as you move your hands around it.

Pick a spot on the lid to place the base.  You can mark the lid’s mounting hole by placing the bottom of the base against the lid and then trace around the hole on the base.  Now, you are ready to drill the large hole for the rod holder mount.

Use the hole saw to drill the hole for the holder.  Once done, you can mount the base and mark the bolt holes for drilling.  Drill those and then secure the bolts with the screwdriver, wrench, washers, and nuts.

Now, you can attach the rope to the bucket handle by tying a secure knot (your choice).  I attached the other end to a spring-loaded clip to help with easy removal from the pier’s rebar and metal rungs.

Here are some photos of the finished product:

 

I like this system because it is easy to assemble and take apart.  The total cost of my bucket, lid, rod holder, and flush mount base was about $20.00.  To use this, simply attach the rope to the pier, then lower the bucket over the pier’s edge and fill with water.  Pull the bucket up and then cover and seal the lid.  Open the base hole cover, drop in the rod holder, and then twist to lock it.  Add one rod, lock it in the handle holder, and then go fishing!