Bill, are you sure your rods won't fit? I have a 2001 Nitro 175 Sport F & S. I don't use that for rod storage, but recently I emptied all things out of there (life jackets, towels, light poles, ski pylon, extra seat pedestals and a bag of spare clothing), to clean it. I stood on my head and shined a flashlight all the way to the bow. It was open to just about 6 inches from the center of the bow. If I wanted too, with nothing else in there I could easily put 7'6" rods in there.
I'm not sure where you would want to drill if it's constructed like mine. You should have another foot or so length than I do.
My answer to rod storage was to screw down a bungee type rod holder on both sides of the aft casting platform. I can put 3 rods on each side (tips forward).
p.s. I actually should take the ski pylon out. I've never used it (except to tow a stranded boater in 1 time). I could lighten my load.