Rod storage in vehicles

[loxsmith]

How does everybody store their fishing rods within the vehicle so they are easy to get to and are still usable at the end of the trip. I have thought about an underslung rod rack internally fixed to the roof support ribs but this seems to be the hard way!

Someone must have an easier solution??

Glen

[ant]

Hi Glen,
I am sad to say that you just can't go past the humble PVC tube. I have dragged many rods all over Cape York in PVC tubes fixed to my roof racks and off road trailer and have not damaged one yet.
It is very important to make sure that you do not put too many rods into one tube and that each rod is put into a rod bag first. Also make sure you have enough padding in both ends of the tubes.

[plucker]

I made a real fancy one by using some electrical ducting and packing it to the rafters with spongey foam that was glued in place. The lid slid off and the rods were protected well.

[Nedly]

How does everybody store their fishing rods within the vehicle so they are easy to get to and are still usable at the end of the trip. I have thought about an underslung rod rack internally fixed to the roof support ribs but this seems to be the hard way!

Someone must have an easier solution??

Glen

That's exactly the option I have taken.
I can quite comfortably accommodate 4 rods with reels this way, rods up to 6'6" long.
4-2" PVC tubes, shaped to fit rod butt and reel, along with some rod holders from BCF.
If I remember I'll take some photos this weekend and post.
Longer rods in 4" PVC tubes mounted on the roof of the vehicle.

[Nedly]

Glen, surprise, surprise, I remembered.
Haven't killed all the brain cells, yet.
Some photos of my setup.

One of the shots shows the "rocket launchers" which I made from 50mm PVC tube.
Another shows the rod holders that I bought from BCF.
The last is an overall shot.
This is still in development, however the black 'rope' is actually some bungy cord to help support the rods, I later added the smaller white bungy which does the same job. I will be making hooks to more premanently hold this white chord and get rid of the black chord.
The advantage of this setup is that the rods have the reels already mounted, with the line rigged and run through the guides.
All I need do is attach a lure and I'm fishing.
When travelling I have 4 rods set, ready to go, that way if I get busted I don't waste time re-rigging, just grab the next rod and keep going.
Les

[geoffjy]

I have mainly used PVC pipes and they have not failed me yet. As Ant said you have to pack the the ends as i made that error the first time i used it and damaged the rods.

[Brigalow]

G'Day Geoff,thought you were NZED bound???I guess you coudnt get a pass to get out of heaven.

I run across a fella the other day who kept his rods in those spaggetti swimming pool sticks...He split the foam and taped then in the centre....his excuss was that they could float around in the back of his trayback without getting stuffed....Ideas OK...but would be interesting if some thing heavy plonked on them....:p

[loxsmith]

Glen, surprise, surprise, I remembered.
Haven't killed all the brain cells, yet.
Some photos of my setup.

One of the shots shows the "rocket launchers" which I made from 50mm PVC tube.
Another shows the rod holders that I bought from BCF.
The last is an overall shot.
This is still in development, however the black 'rope' is actually some bungy cord to help support the rods, I later added the smaller white bungy which does the same job. I will be making hooks to more premanently hold this white chord and get rid of the black chord.
The advantage of this setup is that the rods have the reels already mounted, with the line rigged and run through the guides.
All I need do is attach a lure and I'm fishing.
When travelling I have 4 rods set, ready to go, that way if I get busted I don't waste time re-rigging, just grab the next rod and keep going.
Les

That looks like the go Les, will try my own version of it soon

Glen

[geoffjy]

G'Day Geoff,thought you were NZED bound???I guess you coudnt get a pass to get out of heaven.

..:p

No mate, still here for another 2yrs or so.

[Nedly]

No mate, still here for another 2yrs or so.

Excellent, might convince you to join us again next year.
The plan is to investigate the southern Cape a bit more, well, so far it is :)

[loxsmith]

I am in the process of making my own version of this http://www.thesundeckonline.com/modularracks.htm with a few mods and improvements

Simple but effective

Pics to follow later