|
The Float' n Tote Rod Holder
 The Float’n Tote rod holder concept began in 1999 in Burnaby, British Columbia when Hook Set developer Nick Batistic looked to buy a fly rod holder for his float tube. Finding none that appealed, he decided to build one. The first version was a short PVC plastic pipe and a nylon strap, a simple arrangement that held the rod fine, but in a fixed upright position.
Nick experimented with a few ideas, and the one that finally emerged was a simple pivoting arrangement, with a tensioned bolt holding the PVC tube to a curved piece of plastic. It proved to be very successful, and during the year, Nick made a few handmade working prototypes and sold them through a local fly shop. They sold well, and that response ultimately led to the development of a commercially produced float tube fly rod holder, the Float‘n Tote.
The commercial product was introduced in the Spring of 2000, but because Hook Set doesn’t have a broad distribution network, most tubers don’t even know it exists. That’s a shame, because this is a really good product....
Up until the end of 2005, the only colour the Float‘n Tote came in was black. For 2006, we are stepping out a little, and are making some available in yellow. The plastic remains Delrin - a tough, durable material perfectly suited to outdoor use. It’s almost totally unaffected by moisture, and has excellent UV resistance. The fittings are stainless steel, so if you like this holder, that’s good, because it’s going to last for many seasons….
 The primary use for the Float‘n Tote is holding the rod. When you get into and out of your float tube, it can store the rod upright, safely out of the way. If you take only one rod with you out on the water, the holder can also be used for hands-free trolling, by inclining the rod forward. The hook-and-loop connector between the rod tube and the saddle limits the angle of the rod for trolling purposes. Many people look at this and wonder just how secure the rod is in this position…. but it’s been used for lake steelhead fishing, and even with the savage strike of a prime steelhead, the holder simply does its job quietly and efficiently.
This same aspect allows an alternate use. Some tubers like to take a spare rod out onto the water, and the pivoting action allows the rod to be angled backward, nicely out of the way. On return to shore, the rod is moved into the upright position, to avoid snagging on bushes or trees. The holder is set up for right-hand trolling, and using the set up on the left side requires no change. Trolling angles forward, storage angles backward. The common denominator is, regardless of the type of use required, the reel slot must be facing skyward when angled. This keeps the entire length of the holder supporting the handle of the rod. The holder tube can be bolted to the saddle section from either side, facilitating folks who prefer left-handed functioning.
For many tubers, taking two rods out on the water is the preferred arrangement. In this case, two holders make for double the convenience (and dare we say it, we've been known to use three holders on the one float tube!). There are reports from tubers who have trolled with two holders simultaneously, a wonderful concept until two fish strike at the same time!
The holder design itself allows for versatility beyond tubing. If you fish from the shore, it can be strapped around the waist, where it can double as a wader belt. When positioned to the front or side, the rod can be slipped into the holder while tippets or flies are changed. When not in use, the holder can be slipped to the back, completely out of the way of whatever you’re doing.
 The Float‘n Tote currently comes in two models, the standard single, and the Duplex. The Duplex finds more favour with pontooners, who seem to prefer two-rod storage on the same side.
Users keep making little discoveries that delight them. One customer advised how pleased he was to suddenly have a place to put his rod while he was getting things sorted out prior to launching his float tube. A small convenience, perhaps, but one that most people find and use quickly.
When you first slide a rod and reel into the holder, you’ll find with most outfits that the reel can either sit loosely at the end of the slot, or be snugged up to the little hip built into the design. This allows a gentle “lock” on the reel, just for storage. Don’t use this feature for trolling, because it prevents the reel from turning and strikes may result in broken tippets. Some competing holders on the market mount on top of the tube, but many tubers find this position interfers with active fishing. The Float‘n Tote straps to the side of the tube, eliminating this problem.
There are two main considerations for buyers thinking about this holder. The first concerns the rod handle. If your rods have a fighting butt, they might not fit inside the rod tube. Some users just have the butt section turned down to fit, a neat personal solution. The second is whether it’s suitable for your particular float tube. Most u-boats and v-boats work well with the holder, although some designs have such deep pockets there’s no space to strap any accessory at all. About 50% of o-boats work well also, but again, it depends on where the pockets are positioned. Some designs have the pockets are sewn right where it would be best to position the holder. Some users just strap it right over the pockets in this circumstance, but this restricts the pocket use. One tube manufacturer (Wood River Company) was so impressed with the design of the holder, that they built channels underneath the pockets of its new Double-V design, to allow owners to use the Float ‘n Tote with this particular design (thanks Wood River!).
Now five seasons in the marketplace, Hook Set has yet to receive a warranty claim of any sort. Sometimes, the quietest response is the loudest endorsement! |
