Choosing a RAM Tube Jr. Rod Holder Flush Base Setup

By RAM Mounts Google Search | Published: 2026-10-16

Category: Buying Guides

Decide if the RAM Tube Jr. with short flush base fits your boat or kayak. Get clear fit rules, trade-offs, and install guidance before you buy.

Quick answer

Choose the RAM Tube Jr. with short flush base if you want a low-profile, versatile rod holder for a kayak or small boat and can drill a 1.5-inch hole in a flat deck. Skip it if you cannot cut into the mounting surface or need a quick-release base; instead pick a surface-mount holder like the RAM ROD with plunger bulkhead base.

How the short flush base changes your setup

The short flush base is designed to sit nearly flush with the mounting surface, so the holder leaves a clean deck and won't snag lines or clothing. That low profile is why it's a common choice for kayak rod holder flush base setups. The trade-off: installation requires drilling a hole and sealing it, and the base stays in place permanently. If you want to move the holder between boats or remove it for storage, a surface-mount base is more flexible.

Fit rules: deck thickness, angle, and rod size

Before buying, check three things: the flat area available for the flush base, the thickness of the deck or gunwale, and the rod butt diameter. The Tube Jr. is built to handle spinning reels and level-wind setups, and it works right- or left-handed. Because the short flush base has a fixed angle, you need to position the hole so the rod leans in a useful direction for trolling or drifting. If your deck is curved or very thick, a surface-mount base with a spline post gives you more adjustment.

When to step up to a plunger bulkhead base

If you want the security of a locking mechanism and the option to install horizontally or vertically, the RAM ROD Fishing Rod Holder with Plunger Bulkhead Base is a better fit. It mounts to a flat surface and uses a plunger safety mechanism to lock the rod holder in place. The spline post clicks in and presses out for removal, so you can take the holder off without unscrewing the base. That's useful on a boat where you want a clear deck when the rods are stowed.

Install steps for the Tube Jr. flush base

Measure twice, drill once. Use a hole saw sized for the flush base, then test-fit the base before applying marine sealant. Bed the base in sealant to keep water out of the deck core, and clean up squeeze-out before it cures. Let the sealant cure fully before putting load on the holder. If you are mounting on a rail instead of a flat deck, a rail-mount rod holder is a no-drill alternative.

Decision rules for your rod holder setup

If you can drill a permanent hole in a flat deck: Choose the RAM Tube Jr. with short flush base for a low-profile, snag-free install that handles spinning and level-wind reels. Best for kayaks and small boats where the holder stays put.
If you need to remove the holder or mount vertically: Pick the RAM ROD with plunger bulkhead base; it locks in place and releases with a press so you can clear the deck. Best for boats with multiple uses or limited storage.
If your mounting surface is curved or thick: Use a surface-mount base or add the RAM Round Plate with Ball to adapt an existing pattern instead of cutting a flush hole. Avoid flush mounts on curved or cored decks unless you can seal them properly.

Product facts

RAM® Tube Jr.™ Rod Holder with Short Flush Base: The RAM Tube Jr. Rod Holder with Short Flush Base is right- or left-handed and works with spinning reels or level-wind setups. You don't need to buy a different holder for different reels or handedness, which simplifies outfitting a family boat or a kayak fleet.
RAM ROD® Fishing Rod Holder with Plunger Bulkhead Base: The RAM ROD Fishing Rod Holder with Plunger Bulkhead Base mounts directly to a flat surface and supports horizontal or vertical installation, with a built-in plunger safety mechanism that locks the rod holder in place. If you want a removable holder or need to mount on a vertical surface, this base gives you more flexibility and security than a fixed flush base.
RAM® Round Plate with Ball - C Size: The RAM Round Plate with Ball - C Size has a 1.5-inch C size rubber ball on a 2.5-inch round plate with the universal 4-hole AMPS pattern, made from powder-coated marine-grade aluminum. This component can adapt your rod holder to a different base or device pattern when your deck doesn't match a standard flush mount.

Fit guidance

Best for

Kayak anglers who want a flush, low-profile rod holder and can drill and seal a hole
Small boat owners who use spinning or level-wind reels and want one versatile holder

Not for

Boaters who cannot drill into the deck or need a removable holder
Anglers who need to mount on a rail or vertical surface without a flat area