Big Rods in a Small Boat

[bonefish]

I'm sure there are others that are recognizing this increasing problem. With the push to move from 6 1/2 rods to 8' rods, storage is a problem. I found out the hard way that an 8' rod is about 1" too long to fit in the box of my truck after I purchased it at the NW Sports Show (thankfully I have a crew cab and was able to get it diagonally in the cab). I have a 16' tiler lund that only has a cute little 5-6' rod locker, and many of the 17 and 18' boats I've looked at upgrading to can typically only handle 7' rods. I've thought about putting in a few verticle rod holders, but then they are in the way if a I hook somethign that takes me around the boat. Makes me think it it would kinda be like fishing from jail.

What are you guys doing to transport these big rods then keep them out of the way when your on the water?

[Rebel9921]

Bone... I'll be having the "same" problem with my 8'6 and 9'0 rods... I'll be running a dual console Bass Tracker 1800 TF and so far, the vertical rod holder is my best bet... I'll have to attach that to the side of the console...

[Bemidjifisher]

I mounted rod saver straps horz. on the flat portion on the boat and keep the rods I am not using rigged with different lures and ready to go.

[MUSKY18]

Some of the guys have opened up the end of their rod lockers to accomodate for the longer rods. Don't know if that is perhaps the correct way to go about it however. Like the other guys, I installed rod savers and utilize them.

[HugoBox]

Its a pretty white trash way to go, but a long enough piece of 4 inch PVC can work. Slip the rods into some $4 rod socks and at least they're protected and won't flop around too much. We've used this as a way to haul and store rods in a pickup when you don't want them floping around.

I'll try to describe it now - the PVC should be the same length as the rod from the tiip to the butt (or at least well past the reel). Make a mark on the PVC where the front of the reel is - cut about halfway through the PVC - you then make lines lengthwise from where the cut stopped to the back end of the tube. Essentially you are making a bit of a craddle for the handles and reels while still protecting the rods. Like I said its a bit ghetto and crude and I haven't used it in a boat, but it does work like a charm for hauling rods in a pickup. I guess you could also buy a rod tube for about $20 but that would be way too easy!!

[bonefish]

PVC is one of the ideas I had. While I agree it wouldn't be the fanciest looking piece of equipment, I don't think it can be considered white trash if it has musky combos in it. Afterall, I've been taught that "it's what's inside that matters" Unless it's used PVC sewer pipe and I duct tape it in place. That could push the limits of trashiness!

[b1gf1sh1]

 Quote:

PVC is one of the ideas I had. While I agree it wouldn't be the fanciest looking piece of equipment

Krylon fushion plastic paint does wonders for pvc's asthetics. ...don't forget the clear.

[cjac]

I'm in the same boat, no pun intended! Rod lockers in my ride do not handle the long sticks.

I use Stick Jackets, a weaved nylon mesh rod sleeve that hugs it pretty tight, goes down to about the cork and keeps the line from getting caught up, reduces rod-to rod "chatter" and abuse. Only drawback is they do not float, I learned that the hard way..... Makes putting them i the truck a piece of cake too, no tangled up lines.

On a longer trip I take the reels off and put them in a reel case, they way I see it, it makes me re-tie my leaders to the line, so no "old knots", one less opportunity for potential error due to my laziness.

[dakotakid31]

 Originally Posted By: b1gf1sh1

 Quote:

PVC is one of the ideas I had. While I agree it wouldn't be the fanciest looking piece of equipment

Krylon fushion plastic paint does wonders for pvc's asthetics. ...don't forget the clear.

Have you seen the price of the clear?? ouch...i can get ya some "used" Pipe..how about some cast? A few decades of shat adds charactor...lol