Trees or no trees

[mattmishler]

We run a 20.5 rinker with 3 big jon capt packs. On each side we have a big jon single and two tite lock singles. We have the rods to run 6 boards and 4 divers and three riggers. The crew verys from 2-5 people should i put trees on it or keep it as is. My dads good friend has a welding co and said he would do it. I was thinking 36" tall 8" deep all at 45 degrees. Im kinda try to mock the burts custom tree. Ill take all the imput.

[Paulywood]

Matt, trees are the bomb! They are great for running board rods. But I have a couple of suggestions. Use different angles, this helps avoid lines from rubbing. Also, mine don't do this but ones that are staggered forward around the tree are great. The lowest one goes straight out, the next one is angled a little forward, and the top one is angled a little more forward still. Helps even more with seperation. If you want I can get the measurements for the differing angles of mine either tomorrow or the next day. I can take a picture also. Another great idea is to make them swivel, either with a pin or a positive stop. This lets you mount them and swing them away so they don't hit the dock. Just a few ideas from someone who has learned the hard way.

[pulpfishin]

I agree with Nick. I was thinking about making some myself and that is exactly what I was thinking! The pin idea is also great for docking and for trailering. I was thinking about welding a "stud" onto a platform that bolted onto the gunwale with two holes in it for the pin to slide into. One hole would be for docking and the other would be for when the trees are in use. Only problem I have seen is that the material costs for building them yourself is only about 10 bucks more than buying the Big Jon or Bert's trees. I don't know what the solution is; make them yourself and reap the rewards that you made them, or buy them and know that they are tested and true.

[mj6131]

Not a lot of help to the guys further away, but if you are close to Kalamazoo, go to Alro steel, and check out their "drops" section. You can get some great deals on aluminum, stainless, etc.

[Priority1]

Trees: I never knew what I was missing until I built these S.S. Trees. I have added a clamp on rod holder to each side for nets. I use a S.S. Detent Pin to keep them in place. Mine pivot towards the back for docking and travel. I pull up to 10 boards. Make them 9 inches deep.

[Side JOB]

I have the great lakes planner quad stacks. U can neverhave to many rod holders. Ask anyone on here. I love the trees. They each rotate 360 degrees. The one thing i would change and im having changed is the angles the to spread out the lines. At least check them out online for building ideas

[hammer time]

Last year I purchased the traxtech bird trees and so far I love having them on the boat. They are totally adjustable for any needs and very well constructed.

Craig

[Just Hook'n]

Trees are the only way to go. Once you have them you will wonder how you ran without tangles in the past. I love my big jon trees and run then at different angles like Nick suggested. Though, the big jon trees are all on the same line front to back. Being able to differ the angles is a huge help in rough water and windy conditions.

[mayvillemark]

I just put a set on my boat never new what I was mising they are bertsand they angle like pauly is talking about they are awesome no problems at all!!

[silver one]

Im on my fourth season since I put on the BigJon TR3s on each side of my boat and love them. If i ever rig another boat trees will be the first to get bolted on. The big advantage on a boat like my Islander is spreading rods out and on a smaller boat such as mine its a HUGE advantage.

[zollerj]

I vote for tree's.... just picked up a pair of GLP tree's this offseason and they are GREAT! and at a price that's hard to beat with out doing yourself...

[N II Deep]

Hi Matt,

I built 2 sets this past winter for Ken "Nailer" and myself.

they turned out great. used 2" alum tube, went with 36" tall, three tubes, one st-8 out for a dispy, top two angled with offset toward the front, mounted on post w/ pin to allow removal, and spin in for comming into dock. had them welded up, then powder coated.

Material list

24' 2" tube $68 Alro Steel - Grand Rapids

Welding Tig cost $100 + Dirty 30 Busch -

base plates $20 for mine - Ken wanted his on Berts track so he spent a little more.

powder coat $50

Big Jon rubber caps Ken picked up at GR Sport show $???

3 hours of my time machining.

so for less than $250 we have 4 trees.

here is a pic mounted on my boat.

Edited April 28, 2010 by GLF
fixed image

[Just in time]

I would not fish without trees. I have built my own in the past. My last boat had Great Lakes Planers system and it worked great. I liked the adjustability they had. When the lake is rougher I like to move my rods aiming more towards the back. Only downfall was I had to adjust them every trip because they would hit my dock post when docking if I didnt swivle them back. My current boat is a hard top and I bought Big Jon TR4's. I like the more permant style mounting with the ability to swivel the whole tree for docking. I have the ability to build trees like either of the two mentioned above but my time is worth more than trees cost. You can buy a good set of 4 rod trees for less than $400. I suggest Lord Of the Riggers for Big Jons or Great Lakes Planers I believe they are sold on Ebay from Falcon. I have dealt with both and they are honest and expediant with shipment. And above all fair with price. I do work a full time job so I would rather spend my time off work fishing with my kids. It would take more than an evening to build comparable trees. I did not like the Berts style trees I built a few years back and would not consider another set that I could not adjust for conditions.

[Paulywood]

Hey Matt, sorry it took so long to get back with you. Here are my trees. The bottom holder is at 76 degrees, middle is 52 degrees, and top is 45 degrees. If I could change anything it would be to make the middle holder closer to 60 degrees and have the middle and top one rotated toward the front. I think if the middle one were about an inch or to forward and then the top an inch or 2 forward of that it would be enough. Let me know if you have anymore questions.

[chromelander]

I made mine out of galvinized fence post, painted them, and used plastic dip for the end caps. works great for a faction of the price of aluminum,

[TopDawG]

I just put a 36in traxstech on with a salty at the back a single in the middle and a quad tree at the front, wish I would have done it years ago, one of the best investments I've made. Just not the cheapest!

[JWheeler]

You would be served very well by investing in trees. It cleans up the work area, and makes running multiple planer lines per side very managable. And at the same time with a few other rod holders in the right position you can maximize the amount of lines you can run. I have triple trees, primarily used for planer lines, fishlander triple rod holders that I now use primarily for running dipsies, and then of course my down riggers. THe trees make life easy.

[adrenalin]

I have the great lakes planner quad stacks. U can neverhave to many rod holders. Ask anyone on here. I love the trees. They each rotate 360 degrees. The one thing i would change and im having changed is the angles the to spread out the lines. At least check them out online for building ideas

I have the same ones and feel the same way about the angles on the holders. How do you plan to change the angles? If it works I would probably do the same.

[Knot Tellin]

I have been thinking about making some of these. So I have 3 question.

How much of an improvement do you see in the tracking of your boards?

How would you angle your tubes? I was thinking of just going on a 45 but rotating them foward as I go up the tree.

Does anyone use the main tube as a hod holder?

[1 old guy]

hammer time on the Traxstech tree whitch one did you go with 2-3-4. Also I'm new to the site how do you post a new post. Thanks in advance

Rick

[Nailer]

hammer time on the Traxstech tree whitch one did you go with 2-3-4. Also I'm new to the site how do you post a new post. Thanks in advance

Rick

Rick, welcome aboard. This area will help you out. Click here

Btw, 3 rod tree is a good setup.

[KJ pluggin]

hammer time on the Traxstech tree whitch one did you go with 2-3-4. Also I'm new to the site how do you post a new post. Thanks in advance

Rick

Welcome to GLF Rick! Good to have another WI guy on the site, just let us know if you have any questions.

[MY2SONS]

We run a 20.5 rinker with 3 big jon capt packs. On each side we have a big jon single and two tite lock singles. We have the rods to run 6 boards and 4 divers and three riggers. The crew verys from 2-5 people should i put trees on it or keep it as is. My dads good friend has a welding co and said he would do it. I was thinking 36" tall 8" deep all at 45 degrees. Im kinda try to mock the burts custom tree. Ill take all the imput.

Rod holder trees are a great addition to a boat. I have two on my rig, and love 'em. The only thing I would do differently is make them swivel because I've had some close calls on my port side tree entering, and exiting my slip. I recently purchased the Burt's swivel tree that I'm replacing the fixed mount after the shrink-wrap comes off. I'll be selling the non-swivel one that's on there now in the Spring.

[1 old guy]

Thanks for the warm welcome. Boat is shrink wrapped and have to wait until spring to see if a 3 tree would be to high. Thinking of going with the 2 tree but nothing is in stone yet. Again THANKS

Rick

[sjk984]

I put a pair on my boats and was really happy with them. I have the great lakes planers triples. Each holder can rotate around the mast for rod tip seperation.