BAZOOKAJOE

I think you'll be ok without them. You'll see the aluminum is pretty heavy gauge. I mounted my rod holders with just stainless screws. No backers or backing plate. They haven't moved in 5 years. I ruined 2 carbide drill bits drilling 24 holes. With the tracks you'll have 20 screws in each track spreading out the weight.

Now that's an awesome weekend!! Congrats!!

Wear long sleeves and pants. Lol!

Track system is the way to go. I wish I would have went that way.

You got a point. I do use the swivels. I just worry a little since it has no stretch like 30 lbs mono does.

I guess a lot depends on how much weight you plan on carrying.

You haven't had any problems with 30 lbs PP for backing? Seems a little light to me.

Who needs to go over 30-35? Half the time it's too rough to go full bore in an aluminum boat. A lot of the big charter boats top out at 25.

Get 2 factory Lowe downrigger mounts. Or do the track system. I have a 2005 175 Lowe FS. I mounted my riggers right where the casting platform steps up in the back. That way I can stand on the lower part of the floor when setting. I installed tite-lok rod holders...1 half-way between the dr plate and windshield. And 1 behind the rigger...equidistant from the rear cleat. If I could it over again, I would do a 18 or 24 in track between the dr and windshield. And a 6 in track behind it.

I'm just curious how far back you had the spoon from the spin dr?

Let's make this common core: (Based on the answer above) What's the time the guy ate breakfast...the day he assembled the reel in China...and how much does he weigh?

Lol. Good one!! You never know, some days the junk lines are the hot ticket.

I guess we all have differences in opinion. I (personally) would rather crank the handle a few more times on a lighter high speed reel. The high speed reel also helps pick up the slack line fast on the initial hit. Versus winching in a fish slowly on a heavy Solterra with line as thick as telephone wire. Also, isn't 60 lbs copper too big for SPRO swivels...so you have to rely on Albright knots? No thanks. Just the way I see it.

With high speed reels they are a piece of cake!

At the end of last summer my 500 was doing work. While the 300 on the other side rotted. We tried some dive bombs. But the fish were down 90-115. And it just couldn't get deep enough.