> For trolling, I place the butt of the rod under the front deck bungies and
> the rod staight back along the cockpit. My small tackle box is also under
> the front bungies. I had tried rod holders for trolling, but everything I
> tried caused me to alter my paddle stroke resulting in a sore shoulder. If
> you alter your paddle stroke for the sake of the rod, you may injure
> yourself.

> For bottom bouncing, I hold the rod in my hands and my Aleutian paddle
> extend out perpendicular to the center line of the boat for added
> stability. This works great.

> I have my rod/reel teathered to my bungie incase I drop the rod...and I
> have. The paddle is NOT teathered.

> So far, I like this rig the best.

> Take care jim gabriel

On Saturday I was trolling a surface popper with my fly reel tucked between my knees and the rod tip extending out backward, and a big bluefish (I think) took the lure. As I was fumbling with the rod, the drag was screaming out and the fish got off. I realize this system wouldn't work if I were wearing a spray skirt, but putting the reel under the font bungies seems like kind of a lite attachment to the boat. Have you ever caught anything big this way?