How do you store your rods?

[TruthWalleyes]

How do you store your rods to/from/and while ice fishing?

I was using this 5 gal bucket method, but after a season of use i found a few ways to improve it.

Using a 7gal bucket.

4 rods on the inside (1 straight line, 3 spinning)

5 on the outside + Rattle reels. Much more room on the outside of the bucket for reel handles.

I like the outside rod holders because i riveted them on the top of the PVC so you can rotate the rod at any angle. WHen i am jigging and want to set a rod down, i just put it in the bucket dangling over the hole.

The handle is still usable, wasn't in my last version.

I need to make a holder for my ice scooper yet.

Likely won't have all my rods inthe bucket at one time since that's probably unnecessary for most outings.

1.5" pvc notched out holds rods great. I hate tangled rods. This setup fits great in my otter sled for easy transport.

[Bureaucrat]

I bit the bullet and bought a hard sided clam rod case. I was getting frayed lines and tangles too often. Tired of retying and untangling, it's the best thing I've done.

I throw the case under the seat in my portable and go. No worries about rod tips getting damaged, line frayed, tangles, etc.

[amateurfishing]

I will be looking for an otter case in the future as well but for now I went with a striker case (4 combos+) this season for my hole hopping ways, I as well have just had too many tangles & tips hitting or bouncing around & with my bad eyes just sick of trying to keep untangling them, id rather be fishing than fixing.

[DLD24]

I bought the Clam Rod locker and I like it so far, but I'm a little nervous with how my 32" rods go right to the edge of case...I also made a bucket like yours, but my pvc is on the outside of the bucket, then I can put my scooper, flasher and minnows etc all inside for when I wanna go really light

[Rydigital]

Otter rod case. Well worth the money.

[BoxMN]

Been using an Otter case for about 6 or so years, and really like it. I pull with sleds or ATV, or slide it in my rear basket on ATV. After having tips break in the bags or buckets, this works great, keeps thing neat. If I go with someone else and can't/won't bring the case, I use a simple rod bag, but only bring a couple.

I also just ordered a Flambeau AR gun case, which is the same dimensions as the Otter case, and it was just $25 or $29 or something at Walmart Cyber Monday sale. Will see how it works, but it sure looks like it will work great! 40" long and square, unlike other gun cases.

Only hassle is opening it in Cabin sized portable takes a bit of room. I just leave it outside usually and swap rods out there if more than just me in the shack.

[KyleK]

I bought a couple of these last year, really, really like them.

http://shop.icefishinginnovations.com/Deluxe-Ice-Advantage-Rod-Case-793573931061.htm

[holmsvc]

otter case

[picksbigwagon]

I am still using my plano arrow case, which I can fit 5 rod combo's in. Of course nothing longer than a 28" rod and the reel handles have to be collapsed. Now with my son getting more gear and rods and reels (he's almost 10, and he has gear) I am looking at a new one so his rods are separate from mine. I am leaning towards the plano take down shotgun case, but will look at that AR case as well.......once the house is set up, the rod case either sits on the ice under the flasher or it goes next to the side edge of the house sitting on it's edge the longway

******update********

WOW, I just looked at that case Boxmn, for 30 bucks free delivery, I will be ordering one today, free shipping to the walmart closest to me.... It looks like the foam sits down in the case a little bit from the edges of the case, pretty sure the I can put some tackle boxes or line boxes in the magazine holders too......

[Northlander]

Otter hard sided rod case and Stone Legacy bags as well as a few Rapala bags.

[Andrew Erickson]

otter case, love it

[gwiff100]

If you are sick of replacing your ice rods... An otter case is the way to go! I got one last year and love it.....

[TrapMan13]

Bought the Clam Double Sided Rod Locker... Love it. Kinda much to carry around "hole hopping" but its a good base camp rig! 16 Rods and a pile of tackle.

[JigginIsLife]

i have a cabelas soft sided rod locker it has room on the inside for 8 rod combos, 2 side pockets where i can put a tip up in one and 2 wire rod holders that sit on the ice, also room for those small 2 sided 6"x4" tackleboxes, i also like to have the ability to manipulate the bag to fit around things such as the auger or other supplies.

[brook100]

I bought the Frabill hard case and soon found out my Eagle claw inline reel setups don't fit into it.... really have to squish the top down hard to get it to snap shut which is a pain. I might be trading up for the otter rod box.

[dan z]

I have a ice armour soft side case which is nice for 4-5 combos the down fall is some reels may need to have the reel cranks broke down.

I also have a rifle case (plano) that fits a few in it. A bad thing about is all reel cranks need to be broke down. A good thing about it its very durable. No zipper to break foam on both sides heavy duty clamps lockable for closure.

[Bureaucrat]

I don't understand why these cases aren't made an inch deeper. Sounds like others are having issues with handles sticking up too. I have just quit zipping mine shut. If you pack your house right, it should be fine, zipped or not.

I have to load my house by myself, and it gets up ended as I set it up on the tail gate.

I've got plenty of room in my clam voyager for a bigger case. Just don't get it.

[slammer]

Otter case. No regrets

[RiverChuckNorris]

Bought the Otter rod case this year. Little concerned about the longevity of the clamps but love it otherwise. Even fits my 36" no problem

[Bill Mafturack]

Guys for fewer tangles and less line wear try using a rod glove cut to fit your ice rod. You will probable get two or three ice gloves out of one full sized glove ! A little sewing or a hot glue to close one end, add a couple velcro strips and you should be good to go ! Slit the glove to accomidate reel seat and add velcro to glove over the rod handle below reel seat and glove is secured to rod !

Tight lines and safe ice !

[luckycrank]

icefishinginnovations rod case

[aczr2k]

I really like the look of the ice fishing innovations rod case, the only thing holding me back is the size of it. For you guys that have one has the size been an issue? For now I use one of the original Stone Legacy cases.

[KyleK]

I have an otter xt 900 lodge, in it I have Pro 4 auger,2-5 gal pails,2-Ice 55's, Mr Buddy Heater, shovel and a fishing innovations case, I have no problems with it being to big. I think a couple times last year I brought both cases with, and didn't have a problem either.

It wouldn't be ideal for hole hopping, when you want to have limited gear, but I don't do that anyway so it works really well for me.

Kyle

I really like the look of the ice fishing innovations rod case, the only thing holding me back is the size of it. For you guys that have one has the size been an issue? For now I use one of the original Stone Legacy cases.

[aczr2k]

Yeah I'm not a big hole hopper either, my idea of fun isn't drilling 50+ holes thru 3'-4' ice every trip out on LOW, and as far as weight I'm not dragging my house 7-10 miles out either. Thanks! I might just have to order one.