Reviews

We encourage you to visit the following links, to read independent reviews of our rod holder:

Fly Anglers Online
Sometimes it takes a simple idea to really work; this is simple and it works. .it’s made to use and you will. - James Castwell
www.flyanglersonline.com/prorevw/floatntote.html

Gear Review
..a simple, focused design. Its sturdy construction and reasonable price make it a must have for any float tuber in need of a spare hand. - Scott Clayton
www.gearreview.com/HSIRodHolder.asp

Global Fly Fisher
.if you do any float-tubing at all, consider adding this piece of equipment to your float tube arsenal. GFF rates the Hook Set Innovations Holder as a 5 on the GFF scale. - Steve Schweitzer
www.globalflyfisher.com/reviews/gear/floatntote/index.html

Product Review – The Float’n Tote Float Tube Rod Holder

This review was written in 2001 by Bill Luscombe and first published on Flyfishingworld.com. It is copyrighted, and may not be reproduced without the explicit permission of the author.

I’m not a real big fan of “extras”. While I pack around large amounts of paraphernalia in my vest, it all has a use and I use it all on a regular basis. I don’t want or need frivolous items that I might use once a decade. So when I received one of Hook Set Innovations’ Float’n Tote rod holders for bellyboats and U-boats I was really hesitant to try it. The manufacturer asked me to give it a try and let them know what I thought of it. I reluctantly agreed.

Something you should know right now is my personal policy on product reviews. I tell the manufacturers right up front that I commit to nothing. If they want me to review their item then I will, but I require complete autonomy. In exchange I tell them that if I like the product and find it of high quality and usefulness then I will do up an objective review for my readers. If I don’t like it, or I find the quality substandard, then I will write a constructive criticism of the item and forward it back to them to act upon as they wish, and I do not write a published review of the item. Thus, any items you see reviewed on this site are quality products that I have tested and used myself.

I finally got around to testing the Float’n Tote earlier this year. I was concerned about attaching more things to my bellyboat because it seemed to me that it just added one more thing for my fly line to catch on, but what the heck, nothing ventured, nothing gained. After reading the rather lengthy instructions I snapped the rod holder onto my bellyboat and cinched it up in a matter of seconds…too easy (made me wonder why such detailed instructions were needed). Then I moved into the water with my rod and fins in preparation for getting into the tube.

Normally when I put my fins on I step into the boat first then lay my rod across the open apron of the boat. It is always a pain trying to pull on fins while balancing on one foot and trying not to dump the rod into the drink or catch the tip on branches on the shore. This time I simply placed the rod in the holder and put on the fins. It was like heaven, I kid you not. You just don’t know what you’re missing until you try it. Having the rod secure and out of the way was just great.

I snapped the crotch strap closed, launched and paddled my way out. When I got to deeper water I pulled out the rod, cast out some line, inclined the holder to the trolling position, and placed the rod back in the holder. The holder is designed such that the reel can turn freely should a fish hit. I paddled along, sipping on a Coke, and relaxing. It was very nice. Normally to troll hands-free I would strap the rod down in the Velcro straps on the front of the boat. This leaves the rod tip sticking out well to my left like an outrigger and the pull of the line tends to turn the bellyboat to the right. With the rod in the holder the line trails pretty much straight back and avoids this lopsided pressure. A word of warning though, if you troll hands free you should have an extra length of Velcro to strap over the rod handle in front of the reel to avoid having the rod pulled from the holder if a really big fish hits. This is unlikely, but you never know.

The rod holder is made from sturdy high impact plastic and has an open bottom to allow for a fighting butt to protrude. The nylon straps are plenty long enough to fit any bellyboat or U-boat and the plastic quick closures make adjustments quick and easy.

This is another product that is simple and does what it says it will do. I like products like this, easy to use, durable, simple. Not much to break or break down. Since I first tested this item it has become a permanent fixture on my bellyboat. I don’t think I’ll ever fish from my float tube again without it. It just makes life so much simpler, and that’s what fishing is supposed to do isn’t it?

If you are interested in getting more information about the Float’n Tote or purchasing one, you can contact Nick Batistic, the president of Hook Set Innovations at Box 447, 205 – 329 North Road, Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada V3K 6Z8. You can fax him at (604) 421-0003 or email him at floatntote@telus.net.