RAM Mount X-Grip Phone Holder Review 2026: Best Kayak Phone Mount for Anglers

2026-08-21

TL;DR: The RAM Mount X-Grip is the most secure, fully adjustable phone holder for kayak anglers — fits any smartphone up to 3.25 inches wide, survives full days of spray and chop, and mounts to any rod holder, gear track, or rail on your rig. If you use Navionics, Fishbrain, or Google Maps on the water, this is the mount you buy once and never replace.

Why Kayak Anglers Need a Dedicated Phone Mount

Your phone is quietly one of the most important pieces of gear on your kayak. Navionics turns it into a chart plotter. Fishbrain logs your catches and tells you what's biting nearby. Google Maps keeps you oriented on big open-water fisheries where one cove looks exactly like the next. Weather apps catch approaching thunderstorms before the sky does.

The problem is where to put it. Holding your phone while paddling is not an option. Stuffing it in a dry bag every time you check the chart is annoying enough that you stop checking. Setting it loose on your lap means one bow wave puts it in the lake.

A proper phone mount solves all of that. It keeps the screen at a readable angle, both hands stay on the paddle, and you glance at your chart the same way a car driver glances at a nav display — quick, natural, no fumble.

RAM Mounts has been making rugged mounting hardware for motorcycles, ATVs, police cruisers, and military equipment for 30 years. The X-Grip is their benchmark phone holder: a spring-loaded four-arm cradle that grips any phone regardless of case thickness, combined with their ball-and-socket joint system that gives you infinite adjustability and locks absolutely rigid with a single hand-knob. On a kayak, it's the gold standard.

Specs & Features

• Compatibility: Fits phones from 1.75" to 3.25" wide — covers every current iPhone and Android in a standard case
• Grip system: Four rubber-tipped arms on spring-loaded mechanism; tether included for backup retention
• Ball size: 1-inch RAM ball (B-series) — the most common size across RAM's entire lineup
• Material: Marine-grade reinforced nylon; UV and salt-resistant
• Adjustment: Full 360° rotation at every ball joint; dual-socket arm allows positioning in virtually any orientation
• Locking: Single-handed hand-knob tightening — no tools needed on the water
• Mount base options: Compatible with RAM ROD rod holder mount, track mount (YakAttack GearTrac, Railblaza), flat deck mount, suction cup, handlebar U-bolt, and more
• Package: X-Grip holder + short double socket arm + your choice of base (sold as bundles or separately)
• Weight: ~4 oz total for holder + arm
• Price: ~$30–$55 depending on bundle (holder alone ~$20)

How to Mount It on a Kayak

The X-Grip uses RAM's ball-and-socket system, which means it attaches to whatever base plate you choose — and there's a base for almost every kayak hardware standard:

Rod holder mount (most popular): The RAM ROD 2000 base screws into any standard 1.5-inch flush rod holder. Drop it in, tighten the collar, and your phone is mounted exactly where a rod would be. This is the cleanest install on fishing kayaks that already have rod holders on the bow or console.

GearTrac / track mount: YakAttack makes a RAM ball mounting plate (the GT-90) for their GearTrac system. Drop it into any empty track slot and you have a stable ball mount anywhere on the kayak.

Deck mount: A flat surface mount with four screws bonds directly to the kayak deck with marine-grade hardware. More permanent, but offers the most stable base on rough water.

For most fishing kayaks, the rod holder base is the way to go — no drilling, no adhesive, fully reversible.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Universal fit — works with every phone on the market today, thick cases included; rubber tips won't scratch your screen
• Genuinely rigid when locked — no wobble or creep at speed; your screen stays where you aimed it through chop and wake
• Modular RAM ecosystem — swap bases between rod holder, track, RAM mount, suction cup, or handlebar mount; the arm and holder transfer between your kayak, ATV, truck dash, and bike without buying new hardware
• Tether included — the safety tether attaches through the X-Grip and clips to a ring, so if the cradle ever opens (it won't, but still), your phone doesn't swim
• One-handed setup and release — tighten the knob, drop in the phone; done in five seconds
• Saltwater safe — marine-grade nylon shrugs off spray, splash, and UV exposure that would destroy a cheap plastic mount in one season

Cons:

• Base sold separately — the X-Grip holder and arm are a bundle, but the rod holder base is an add-on (~$10–$15 more); read the listing carefully to confirm what's in the box
• Wobble if not fully tightened — half-turning the hand-knob isn't enough; crank it until it's snug or you'll get vibration at paddling speed
• Not a waterproofing solution — the X-Grip holds your phone in the open air; if your phone isn't water-resistant (IPX7 or better), pair it with a waterproof case or pouch, or accept that a capsize puts your phone at risk
• Overkill for casual paddlers — if you paddle a flatwater pond once a week with your phone in your pocket, this is more mount than you need; the value compounds for people who fish seriously and use their phone as a primary navigation and logging tool

Buy Links

The X-Grip is available in several bundles depending on how you want to mount it:

👉 RAM Mount X-Grip with Rod Holder Base on Amazon — the most popular setup for fishing kayaks; includes the X-Grip holder, short double socket arm, and RAM ROD rod holder base

👉 RAM Mount X-Grip Universal Phone Holder on Amazon — search result for all X-Grip bundles; filter by the base type you need

👉 Phone Mounts & Accessories at Overton's — good option for bundling with other marine accessories; occasionally runs free shipping promotions

If you fish from a kayak with a YakAttack GearTrac system, pair the X-Grip with the YakAttack GT-90 RAM Ball Mount on Amazon for a fully tool-free install that moves anywhere on your track in seconds.

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