A Man, A Plan and A dremmel... rod transportation gadget..

[Mankato-Ice-Man]

A couple years ago I saw a rod holder on the wall of a fish house that was made from bathroom sink drain pipe with a notch cut in to it for reel seats to fit in them and hold the rods upright and pointed away from each other.

I decided to make a couple different buckets using this same idea.

I cut a thin piece of plywood and screwed some square stock on the bottom of it and pressed the drain peices over them, turned them to the side and was able to hold my rods in the bucket and the reels were free of getting tangled in each other.

I still need to add a rope handle to both buckets, but I am pretty happy with how it turned out.

[Mankato-Ice-Man]

The second bucket that I made I like a lot more. It takes up a little more space, but I think its pretty useful.

I mounted the drain pipe on the outside of the bucket, allowing more rods to be transported. I trimmed off the bolts so that my Vexilar can still slide in and out easilly. Then I made plywood "shelf" that sits on the bolts just right. My reason is that I can now take a small tackle tray, some snacks, my wax worms and a couple cans of beverage all in one trip. I can still bring my other tackle box and a cooler and stuff, but I wont need to get it out of the truck unless i really need something because all of my essentials will be with me.

Just thought I would share. I enjoy seeing other peoples handywork here, so I felt it only fair to share mine.

[bottom-bouncer]

They look like they would work but how do you carry the second bucket with the holders on the outside?

[Mankato-Ice-Man]

I am going to screw in some eye bolts and then clip a rope handle to it. Just have to go get the clips.

[jwmiller33]

thats pretty cool. i was thinking about doing something similar with one of my 5 gallon buckets, but i would only put 2, maybe 3 holders on there, because i only bring 2-3 rods out with me each time. thats a really cool idea you got there and i like how your vex fits in the bottom of that one bucket and you have the wood piece to go on top. cool post!

[kevfish1]

now take that plan one step further-- offer to sell a few and see if they sell. I will buy that 2nd one from you.

[McGurk]

Nice work! For a true bucket fisherman to use it, though, you need a way to sit on it. On your second version, you could put 3-6 of them closer together and all on one side. Then you could still pop a lid or seat on there and have the rods all at your back. You would need to put in a lip on the front side for your shelf, or just put some dummy bolts in to do the job. Also, maybe add a larger tube or small sewn bag (from a plastic tarp?) to hold a tip-up would be nice.

This would make it easier to carry as your could keep the rods away from your body when walking. I like the rope idea for carrying, as you could make it long enough to hang on your shoulder, and free up your hand. You're getting the old noodle thinking!

[Zoob]

I really like your second one. Going to steal that idea and attack one of my buckets today. =) They're both great -- one is more compact (useful for the 2-man popups/pullovers that don't have alot of room inside).

thanks for sharing!

[hcmpls1]

now take that plan one step further-- offer to sell a few and see if they sell. I will buy that 2nd one from you.

I agree. Hopefully we see you at the Ice Fishing Show next year with your own booth!

[Dothedew]

Good ups! To think... is to create.

[thedeadsea]

Thats awesome!

[Mankato-Ice-Man]

Thanks everyone for the nice comments.

I would guess I have about $26.00 in to this, no counting the bucket, so if I were to sell them and make it worth my while, would have to put 40.00 on them, if I could find a good source for buckets. I'd rather sell my idea to someone with more cash and / or ambition then me. :-)

McGurk- 2 thoughts on the seat... if I left the rods spread out for the seat, I would be afraid of my coat still catching on them or me getting a little too wound up and reaching back and snapping them off by accident. That being said, I would probably still take my second sit-n-fish pail along to sit on and put my minnows in or to use as a fish bucket.

Someone mentioned a tip up carrier. I actually made something like this a couple years ago. I bought some PVC pipe that is round enough for a tip up to slide in to, cut it in to 4 pieces each the height of the pail and the tip ups do not get tangled and stay out of the way. So I would guess you could combine the 2 or the ideas and add tip up carrying as well.

Zoob- its hillarious that you pointed out the uses for each bucket becuase that is exactly what I had in mind when I was making the 2nd one... when I fish in a portable with someone, I would use the 1st one with the rods inside and take my tackle box and if I were in a wheel house or larger portable, I would use the all in one (the second one) and just carry everything in one shot. it does get pretty girthy with rods all the way around. Adding the rope handle will help that a lot.

Again, thanks for all the nice comments. I was sort of nervous about posting this.

[Dan K]

Just a couple of suggestions.

Make sure you put some washers on the inside of the bucket. One or more regular and a lock washer to keep the screws tight.

I would use screw caps instead of nuts, either plastic or metal, on the ends of the screws. That way you will never snag your vexlar or scratch the bottom of it when you are putting it in or taking it out. You can fill the space between the cap and the inside of the bucket with as many washers as you need. Just make sure the lock washer is next to the cap.

When you get set up, take the vexlar out and replace the lid. Place the vexlar on top of the lid. It's easier than bending over all the time.

You might want to secure the bottom of the rod holders to keep them from twisting, as this will loosen them eventually. A large rubber band all the way around the bucket would work. The lip on the bottom of the rod holders will keep it in place. It won't last forever but they are cheep to replace.

Good luck!!!

[BoxMN]

Looks good Mankaot Man!

Here is an idea from when I used to carry a bucket while duck hunting. I hated using a "handle" because with thermos/pops, shell, and hopefully ducks on the way back it would get heavy on the arm. So I added a shoulder strap for carrying, long enough to go over your neck. Made it much nicer for long walks.

So far yours, just leave off a couple tubes from where it would "press against" your body. I put grommet on the pail near the top, and used clips to attach the strap. Add a bit more in there for comfort is using a strap that has neoprene in middle, as it absorbs some of the "bouncing" and also is non-slide so it won't slide down your shoulder, etc.

[Supercrew]

A bakery will have all the buckets you need at a low price.... Now I get a cut or we get together and create the ultimate bucket with trim and sound?

Don't need a cooler, but maybe adapt it to find fish as you carry it out on to the lake? Just another million dollar idea I have given away or added to..... (y did I not think of this?)

[BuckyBadger]

love the bucket mods, did something along the same lines, after I saw a number of guys on here with the pvc holders on the side of their buckets, I also went with the taller Frabil bucket so I could keep my vex in the bottom along with a tackle box etc. I put the rods on the one side and on the other I have 1/2 of one of those bucket caddy's, where I can store the misc items and counter weight the bucket.

I used rivets to attach the rod holders so I didn't have to cut bolt heads in the inside. I also covered the rivets on the inside with liquid electrical tape.

Drilled some holes in the bottom to let any liquid melt get out.

One thing added not in the photos, was stiff foam with a slit attached where the rod tips would be at the top of the bucket allows the rods to be held even more secure. I like the wood platform idea, may need to put that in a little higher up so as suggested can have the vex sitting on there at a higher level.

[jsnides]

nice work duder this is a really good idea.... i've used 5 gallon buckets since i started ice fishing like 8 yrs ago... i like the second version the best with the vex able to go on the bottom of the bucket. Been draggin around the same 5 gal pickle bucket for awhile might have to do some modifications to it......love the post

[Zoob]

A bakery will have all the buckets you need at a low price.... Now I get a cut or we get together and create the ultimate bucket with trim and sound?

Don't need a cooler, but maybe adapt it to find fish as you carry it out on to the lake? Just another million dollar idea I have given away or added to..... (y did I not think of this?)

Mankato-Man, you could also probably hit up the restaurants and fast-food chains. Lots of places get food-items (pickles, etc) in 5-gallon pails.

[Zoob]

It ain't fishin' unless you got a 5-gal with you. Even if it's just to park outside your shelter so the old-timers don't walk over and call you a "poser". =)

[BuckyBadger]

It ain't fishin' unless you got a 5-gal with you. Even if it's just to park outside your shelter so the old-timers don't walk over and call you a "poser". =)

It's True! I fish with an ol' timer, he saw my bucket and said he wanted one, I made it for Christmas for him and even put a cigar holder like this on the side for him.

Some other photos of the bucket I first made, plenty of room for a tip up, vex and tackle box, plus it is great to throw some drinks in there and my garbage, when I get home I only need to bring one thing in to the house to clean out.

[Wicked_1]

here is mine. I have about 7 buck in it. Used short 1/4 inch bolt to hold the tubes in. I've been using it for about 3 years and it has kept my rods from gettin banged up.

[lost_stringer]

Great post Mankato_ice_man and as you know I like both of your bucket rod carriers. Also, great to see all of the ideas and pics from the other posters. Thanks to you all.

[HandySpence]

Love it!

[jwhjr]

Great ideas everyone!

[HandySpence]

After I read your posts I decided it should be added to the arsenal. I only have a jig saw, so the cuts were a bit grizzly, however you can stack buckets below this model, which is awesome for my car which has limited space.