Do It Yourself: Rod Protector out of Goodyear Wiper Blade Container

[Lusid]

Reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Next time you replace your windshield wipers save them to make some custom rod protectors.

[LeDoctaire]

I like it! I just broke off about 3" of one of my rods while carrying it in my (old bat bag with plywood ends & bottom) still works great, but this looks like it would have saved the tip! Thanks for the idea!

[lakeshoremunster]

perfect timing, i need to replace the wipers on my truck

[Jeremy airjer W]

Awesome idea!

[fly]

Thanks for sharing

[3littlemonsters]

-will anyone join me in buying this guy a beer? I love when necessity sparks creativity...

[Garett Svir]

Great idea!

[Lusid]

Thanks for the kind words.

Just wanted to add, I used a dremel with a cutoff wheel to cut the notches.

After pondering a bit, I should have cut in 1" more so I could add the tail cap fully enclosing the rod/reel inside the tube adding more protection.

Happy fishing,

Andy

[Lusid]

Made a slight adjustment to my previous notches.

See pictures below:

Deeper notches allowed me to put the tail cap on, as a result the end product is now self contained. Adding a ton more rigidity!

[Sifty]

Great Idea

[CrappieAttitude]

Very good idea. Thanks for sharing!

CA

[mrklean]

very cool idea

[McGurk]

Nice thinking, and I hope they hold up to the cold. That would be the only thing I'd worry about, but I dig the creative re-purposing!

[Lusid]

They should hold up just fine in the colder weather since all my rods are stored in a plastic case. It's just another layer or protection during transport etc.

[Sutty]

And you can leave your jigs on. Sweet!

[fishkins]

And you can leave your jigs on. Sweet!

This idea works except for noodle rods if you don't take the jig off

and the line tightens up it WILL break the tip.

[DaSwede]

I've done the same thing, but use fluorescent light protector tubes. I got them at FF...maybe 3 dollars. Cut them to size. I've been using them for 2 years now. They haven't split or broken yet.

[bobbymalone]

If you don't have a bunch of goodyear wiper blade containers laying around go with a fluorescent bulb protector.

8 feet for a few bucks at the big orange home improvement store. near the fluoro hanging workbench fixtures.

I use a bit of velcro to make a strap to hold the rod in. I saw somebody posted a similar setup a couple days ago.

[bobbymalone]

beat me to it, daswede!

[Lusid]

For those who are using fluorescent bulb protector, think you could heat mold the rod area more flat? In my rod box I don't have a ton of space. That's why I liked the wiper blade container due to his low profile.

[Scott M]

Have been using PVC tubes for a few years with short bungee cords mounted on the cut-in slots to hold the rods in by the reel support arm.

Just remember to turn off your anti-reverse in case you accidentally turn reel handles so as to not snap off tips on your delicate rods.

[DaSwede]

For those who are using fluorescent bulb protector, think you could heat mold the rod area more flat? In my rod box I don't have a ton of space. That's why I liked the wiper blade container due to his low profile.

I have just a soft-sided Cabelas rod case. I can fit four of my rods in there just fine with the light protectors on. Not sure if I'd want to heat it.

I'll post a pic of what it looks like, if I can find it.

[tview]

I would also think that the tubes for a golf bag would work!!!! Cheap and fit to size

[bobbymalone]

For those who are using fluorescent bulb protector, think you could heat mold the rod area more flat? In my rod box I don't have a ton of space. That's why I liked the wiper blade container due to his low profile.

Maybe... I have a couple stouter rods that the biggest line guides barely fit and I heated the tube up and squeezed it a bit to make it more oval. That worked.

the bulb protectors aren't run over it with your truck proof, but they are gonna be a lot lighter weight than PVC or the golf bag tubes.