Thread: 14' rod storage help

Brett ... I break mine down, and put them in rod socks/sleeves (Cabela's or BPS) and store them in my rod locker. Even with baitcast reels on them, they take up little space ... and I usually have 5 or 6 other rods w/spinning reels in the locker along with them. (rod locker is lockable)

They're not all that hard to put together while in the boat. But, mind you, I only have three 14' rods. If I fish with more than three rods at a time, the other rods are 10'ers. It only takes me a couple of minutes to take them out of the "socks" and put them together, and I usually do that as I'm approaching my first spot (under TM power). After that, I lay them on the deck/rod locker and strap them down while motoring around the lake. It they're carefully placed/stacked, even with 2 or 3 other rods among them, and strapped down tight ... they don't tangle.

My spider rigging buddy/mentor uses 6-8rods (14' or 16') and puts them all together before launching the boat. He simply lays them down across the front/back decks, stacked and latched down with a strap, while moving from spot to spot. He then picks them up, one at a time, and baits them & puts them in his holders. He's considered a transport rack, but his boat has such "curved" sides that the rods would not be straight, unless it hung way over the outside of the boat or took up a lot of passenger seat space.

I've seen others that use sections of PVC to make "rocket launcher" style holders, that hold the long rods upright/vertical ... but, those are only good while the boat is in the water, not while on the highway. And you even have to be careful using them while launching, as I know of one buddy that had a 20' rod in one of those "rocket launcher" holders ... and had the rod tip broken off by an overhead cable/wire when approaching the launch ramp at a marina.

I not only have concerns about boat slips & transport racks, but also the racks getting in the way while using fishing methods other than spider rigging, as well as causing problems when the boat is among a lot of standing timber.

... cp

I've been thinking about some designs, too... I have a center console, and I like it, but it can be tricky to find spots for horizontal rod storage. I'm thinking about like the driftmaster tip savers, but using an L-bracket instead of a T. They need to be easy to take on and off, and I want to make it where they will flip around so they hang inside the boat on the highway and during launching/loading, but once I'm on the water, I can turn them around so the holders aren't protruding into the boat area at all....

I was thinking about using 1" square aluminum tube and TeamHookSetter had the idea of using something like this on the horizontal part of the L-bracket: Amazon.com : Berkley Rod Rack Twist Lock : Fishing Pliers And Tools : Sports & Outdoors

Originally Posted by blugrasmaniac

I've been thinking about some designs, too... I have a center console, and I like it, but it can be tricky to find spots for horizontal rod storage. I'm thinking about like the driftmaster tip savers, but using an L-bracket instead of a T. They need to be easy to take on and off, and I want to make it where they will flip around so they hang inside the boat on the highway and during launching/loading, but once I'm on the water, I can turn them around so the holders aren't protruding into the boat area at all....

I was thinking about using 1" square aluminum tube and TeamHookSetter had the idea of using something like this on the horizontal part of the L-bracket: Amazon.com : Berkley Rod Rack Twist Lock : Fishing Pliers And Tools : Sports & Outdoors

At the boat ramp, when coming in, you don't always get a choice as to which side you tie up on.
I can see the rods being in the way big time if on the dock side

Yep. Agree with that. Definitely wouldn't work on all boats. But mine is a low rise bay boat. And stepping over the rods wouldn't be an issue.
At least not in my mind Haha. You have a good point. I do need to mock something up at the dock and make sure. Especially since I'd be putting a rack to hold four rods down each side

Wait your turn to get what you want! Don't rush to get a spot like some of these guys do and tie up the ramp.

I think Grizzly sells a two piece 14' rod. You have to call them for it as I don't think it is listed on the web site. The next 14' I buy will be a two piece. Three piece rods are a pain to put away if you can't leave them together.

Originally Posted by Hotwater

I think Grizzly sells a two piece 14' rod. You have to call them for it as I don't think it is listed on the web site. The next 14' I buy will be a two piece. Three piece rods are a pain to put away if you can't leave them together.

yes Grizzly Jig sale 2 piece 14' foot rods; FireCast pro series Graphite rod model # FCP142 excellent rod !!! and the less expensive FireCast Promotional Glass Series rod model FC142 a little heavy but still a good rod !!!

Check with creekslick. He just built a holder for me. Holds 8 poles and height adjusts. I like it a lot. He will send pictures to you.