6 Best Rugged Tablet Mounts For Fishing Boats Anglers Swear By

You hit a surprise wake and your tablet—your expensive chartplotter, fish finder, and weather station all in one—goes skittering across the deck. We’ve all been there, or at least had the nightmare. In the tight, dynamic space of a fishing boat, securing your gear isn’t just about convenience; it’s about protecting a critical and costly piece of equipment.

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Securing Your Marine Electronics on the Water

A boat is a terrible place for electronics. You’ve got constant vibration from the engine, jarring shocks from waves, corrosive salt spray, and relentless UV exposure. A cheap plastic car mount will fail, it’s just a matter of when. The plastic will become brittle in the sun and the metal components will rust into a useless brick.

Think of a rugged mount not as an accessory, but as a crucial part of your marine electronics system. It’s the physical interface between your thousand-dollar tablet and your boat. A good mount isolates vibration, absorbs shock, and holds your device exactly where you need it, no matter how rough the water gets. Investing in a quality mount is investing in the longevity and usability of your tablet.

RAM Mounts Tab-Tite: The Industry Standard

If you’ve been on any serious boat, you’ve seen RAM Mounts. Their ball-and-socket system is the gold standard for a reason: modularity. You can piece together a custom solution for any tablet, in any location, using a combination of bases, arms, and holders. This is a huge advantage in the cramped and awkward layouts of small vessels.

The heart of the system for tablets is the Tab-Tite or the Tab-Lock holder. It’s a spring-loaded cradle with interchangeable end caps that provide a custom fit for your specific device, even if it’s in a thick protective case. The grip is tenacious. While the sheer number of components can be daunting, it means you can build a mount that attaches to a rail, bolts to a console, or even clamps onto a flat surface. It’s the ultimate do-it-all system.

Scanstrut ROKK Mini: Purpose-Built for Marine

Scanstrut lives and breathes the marine world, and it shows in their ROKK Mini system. Where RAM is modular and universal, Scanstrut is focused and purpose-built for the water. The entire system is engineered from corrosion-proof materials like anodized aluminum and 316 stainless steel, designed to survive years of saltwater abuse.

Its standout feature is the metal-on-metal, single-handed locking system. A simple lever locks the ball joint solid, which is far easier to operate with wet, cold hands than the large twist-knob on a RAM arm. It’s a small detail that makes a huge difference when you’re trying to adjust your screen angle while managing a fishing rod. The ROKK Mini is less of a universal kit and more of a dedicated marine solution that feels incredibly solid right out of the box.

SeaSucker Naked Flex Mount: No-Drill Solution

Drilling holes in your boat’s gelcoat is a commitment. For those who want a powerful mounting solution without the permanent holes, the SeaSucker is the answer. This isn’t your GPS’s flimsy windshield suction cup; it’s a commercial-grade vacuum mount that creates an incredible bond on any smooth, non-porous surface like fiberglass or glass.

Each SeaSucker mount has a small, integrated pump plunger. You press it a few times until a colored band disappears, indicating a secure vacuum seal has been established. This provides immense holding power—often rated for over 100 pounds. It’s the perfect solution for anglers who move their tablet between boats, use a rental, or simply want the flexibility to reposition their screen on the fly. Just remember, the surface must be clean and smooth for it to work its magic.

Tackform Enduro Series: All-Metal Durability

Tackform comes from the world of off-road and industrial equipment, and their Enduro Series brings that all-metal ethos to the water. If you find even high-strength composite mounts have a bit too much flex for your liking, this is your solution. The arms and components are machined from solid aluminum, providing a completely rigid platform.

This rigidity is key when you’re tapping on a touchscreen in choppy conditions. A wobbly mount makes it impossible to hit small icons accurately. The Tackform mount eliminates that problem entirely. While it’s heavier and often more expensive than composite options, its bombproof construction provides peace of mind. It’s overkill for some, but for the angler who wants a permanent, zero-flex installation on their console, it’s a top contender.

Arkon Heavy-Duty Mount: A Permanent Fixture

Sometimes you just need a simple, strong, permanent mounting point. Arkon specializes in no-frills, heavy-duty mounts that are built to be bolted down and left alone. Their drill-base tablet mounts are a fantastic, budget-friendly option for creating a fixed station on your boat’s console.

These mounts typically feature a robust aluminum arm and a 4-hole AMPS pattern base, which is a universal standard for mounting electronics. The tablet cradles are secure and adjustable, though they may lack the quick-release convenience of more premium models. This is the ideal choice for the boater who has figured out the perfect, ergonomic location for their screen and has no intention of moving it. It’s a workhorse, not a show pony.

Mob Armor Tab Mount Maxx: For Extreme Chop

Born from the brutal demands of off-road racing, Mob Armor’s mounts are engineered for the most violent conditions imaginable. The Tab Mount Maxx is an absolute beast, built from 5052 aluminum alloy and featuring a massive, glove-friendly slide-locking mechanism that secures your tablet with zero chance of escape.

This is the mount for the tournament bass angler running at high speed across a choppy lake or the offshore fisherman powering through rough seas. The design prioritizes ultimate security and vibration damping above all else. Every component is oversized and overbuilt. If your primary concern is ensuring your expensive electronics remain attached to the boat no matter what, the Mob Armor is your insurance policy.

Choosing a Mount: Clamp, Suction, or Bolt-Down

The best mount isn’t about the brand; it’s about how it attaches to your boat. Your choice boils down to three main types, each with clear tradeoffs. Don’t just buy the most popular one—buy the one that fits your vessel and your fishing style.

• Bolt-Down: This is the most secure and permanent option. You drill it directly into a console or other flat surface. Choose this if you have a dedicated spot for your tablet and want a "set it and forget it" solution with maximum strength.
• Clamp: These mounts grab onto rails, T-top frames, or grab bars. They offer excellent security with the flexibility to be moved. Choose this if you lack flat surfaces or want to switch the tablet’s location between the console and, say, the bow.
• Suction/Vacuum: The no-drill hero. These rely on a powerful vacuum to stick to smooth, non-porous surfaces like your console’s dash or a window. Choose this if you can’t or won’t drill holes, or if you use your tablet on multiple boats. They require a clean surface and periodic checks but offer unmatched versatility.

Ultimately, the right choice depends on your boat’s layout. A small tiller boat might rely on a rail clamp, while a center console has plenty of real estate for a bolt-down mount. Assess your space first, then pick the mount that works within those constraints.

A rugged tablet mount is one of the best quality-of-life upgrades you can make on your boat. It transforms your tablet from a delicate liability into a seamlessly integrated command center. By choosing the right mount for your vessel, you protect your gear and keep your focus where it belongs: on the fish.