Driftmaster Rod Holders owner David Baynard announced that the company’s Pro Series Rod Holders will soon be available in a bright neon yellow color that’s favored by many catfish anglers.
Driftmaster Debuts Bold New Yellow Rod Holders
By Keith “Catfish” Sutton
The recent CatfishNOW/CrappieNOW Media Camp in Millbrook, Alabama, served as a hub for collaboration between editors, writers and sponsors. But amid all the content creation and networking, one eye-catching highlight stood out: Driftmaster Rod Holders unveiled a bright new look for its legendary Pro Series rod holders—an attention-grabbing neon yellow version made with nighttime catfishermen in mind.
Driftmaster owner David Baynard was on hand to reveal the new product and explain how the company, known for its rugged, lifetime-guaranteed rod holders, finally embraced color.
“We’ve tried colors in the past,” Baynard admitted. “Black is the most UV-resistant rubber, and it goes with any boat. So, we stuck with it. But now there’s a wave already out there—and it’s significant. Catfishermen are buying neon rods, neon line, mounting black lights on their boats, and filming night-fishing videos. They want pop. So that’s what we’re going to give them.”
The yellow rubber wasn’t even part of the original plan. Baynard initially requested a neon green sample from his rubber supplier, but when a bucket of yellow showed up alongside the green, it changed everything.
“That yellow just popped,” he said. “Especially under black light. And it looks good with every rod color we tried—blue, red, orange, green. The neon green didn’t pair well with some rod colors, but yellow worked with all of them.”
To maintain Driftmaster’s signature look and brand identity, the new yellow holders feature black-tipped ends—an intentional nod to the classic all-black design customers have trusted for decades.
But it’s not just about looks. Driftmaster’s Pro Series rod holders, now available in this bold new color scheme, continue to offer the performance that serious catfish anglers rely on. The design includes a two-position “hourglass” layout—available in either 0/30- or 20/50-degree models—created after extensive field testing and a unique “hammer test” that ensures each holder can withstand extreme stress. If it breaks, it doesn’t make the cut.
Another standout feature is Driftmaster’s positive lock system, a mechanical solution to a common problem among threaded rod holders.
“Rod holders have been turning in the base for as long as they’ve been around,” Baynard said. “Our locking sprocket engages the base so it can’t turn—period. It requires a specific base to work, but once it’s locked in, it’s locked.”
Ease of use also sets Driftmaster apart. Their rod holders are engineered so anglers can lift the rod straight out without twisting or manipulating it—crucial when a big fish is on and seconds matter.
“Most hooksets are done in a state of panic,” Baynard said with a grin. “You don’t want to think your way through it. With our holders, you just grab the rod and it’s in your hand. And when the rod is left in the holder, the harder the fish pulls, the harder it’s held in place. Simple but secure.”
Whether you’re fishing by day or lighting up the night with black lights and neon tackle, Driftmaster’s new yellow rod holders are built to stand out—and stand up to anything a big catfish can dish out.
For more information on Driftmaster’s new Pro Series rod holders and other products, visit www.driftmaster.com or call 803-473-4927.
