Transporting Rods On Vehicles

[Kiett]

I'm new here and I couldn't find a specific spot to post this question but if I am in the wrong section will the mods please move this thread? thanks ahead of time.

 

I've tried looking up pictures of rods mounted to the roof a vehicle and I've seen them mounted at an angle with the tip rearward, tip forward, tip rearward, and vertical (front or rear bumpers).  I just want to make sure I'm doing it safely and securely.

 

When transporting fishing rods on top of a vehicle, does it matter which way the rod tip faces? tip forward or tip rear ward?

 

I wouldn't want to snap my rod from excessive whipping or a chance that debris would ruin the tip of my rod.  

 

Thanks!

[BassThumbAddict]

When we traveled 15 hours to Tennessee we had a 6 inch sewer and drain PVC pipe with two caps on the end. We drove a SUV (Honda Pilot) and just strapped it to the roof rails with some bungee cords never had any problem. Even when we went through a storm with 60 MPH winds it still did fine. I'll also add that I stuffed some foam down in the tube so it wouldn't let the rods move. I had the rod tip face the front of the car with foam stuffed in those caps.

[Felix77]

Did some digging and I found this.  I personally like the PVC Pipe idea.  Most like much less expensive overall.

 

http://www.rhinorack.com/en-us/products/water/fishing-rod-carriers/ski-and-snowboard-carrier-fishing-rod-holder_562u

[georgeyew]

Did some digging and I found this.  I personally like the PVC Pipe idea.  Most like much less expensive overall.

 

http://www.rhinorack.com/en-us/products/water/fishing-rod-carriers/ski-and-snowboard-carrier-fishing-rod-holder_562u

 

Interesting....I have never seen a snowboard rack used for fishing rods. But I suppose that it can be done. If I need to transport my rods long distance, I have 2  Berkley rod holders strapped to my roof rack. The reels are placed toward the front of the car.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

If it were me, I'd pack the rods into a tube and put the reels in a tackle bag inside the car. If you decide to just strap them to the roof point the tips rearward and make sure the handle ends are secure.

[Kiett]

Thanks for the response!

 

call me an odd ball but I plan on putting my rod on my M3. It will fit in my cabin but its a hassle making sure the rod doesn't move around to get snapped off by the door (rod has to be placed in at an angle and the tip gets really close to the door). When running down the towards the center console, bumping the rod with my elbow while shifting seems to be an issue.

 

I have a roof rack and plan on getting the thule castaway rod carrier and just wasn't sure about which way and why to face the rods.

 

So my rod will be open and uncovered with the reels in a locked box.

 

That's :1 covered tip forward

            2 tips pointed rearward

 

Would there be a lot of turbulence and whipping to where I have to worry about my rod tips when facing the tips rearward?

[Raul]

For the better part of my life the only vehicle I had were VW Beetles, I placed my rods in a rod tube ( a PVC pipe will serve ) between the front seats.

[SirSnookalot]

I see rods just strapped to the roof with tips forward all the time, never heard of any breakage.  I have trunk pass thru, I much prefer that.

[S Hovanec]

I'm a little anal about my rods. If they had to go on the roof, they would be in rod socks in a PVC pipe with end caps.

[atcoha]

Mine fit in the bed of my truck just fine

[ABW]

If its not a truck, then you can just throw them in the passenger seat and let hem rest on the shoulder of the chair.

[jonnyblazex]

I drive a acura integra da body style in the summer. Small car! Also have a buick lesabre. Plenty of room in there! Anyways, I just put the passanger seat all the way back, and tilt it all the way back. I can easily fit a 7'6 flippin stick in there, and 4 other rods without issue, with my little boy in the back behind me. Roof racks are a little sketchy in my book, I try to avoid them in any way I can, especially if you have over $1000 in rods and reels on the roof.

[uncustered]

Best answer... Get a Tahoe or suburban and build a strap system that hangs the rods.

You would be amazed at the amount of fine grit tossed up on the roads that flat pack reels and screw up the finish on your equipment.

[Kiett]

 

ALAS! I've done it!

[Dwight Hottle]

I'm glad those are your rods & not mine.

[Daniel Lin]

I guess the newer M3s don't have a trunk passthrough of any kind then. I guess it adds weight and complexity, but you'd think that BMW would realize that perhaps a large number of their M3 customers have the means and time to pursue activities that involve long things..... like skiing and fishing, etc.

[IAY]

Definitely not what I would do to transport my rods

[buzzed bait]

that is a little bit sketchy for transporting rods...  can't believe there's no pass through from the trunk.  that's how i carried my rods in my toyota camry with no problems at all.

[new2BC4bass]

My ski rack was purchased expressly for transporting rods when I bought my older LaSabre 6 years ago.  If there will only be 2 of us in the car, I'll carry about 8 in the front.  Plenty of room even for my 7'8" crankbait rod. Usually the second person is my wife (doesn't fish ) and at less than 5' tall and less than 100 pounds doesn't take up that much room. 

 

If my daughter (loves to fish) and grandsons are going with me, then the ski rack gets used.  I alternate the direction each rod tip faces to allow for more rods to be loaded.  Haven't had one problem yet....knock on wood.  However, it is only a 45-50 minute drive to the furthest lake I normally fish although there have been a few times over the past 6 years when my daughter and I took a trip to a lake further away.

 

I like the PVC tube idea except I don't like having to resting my rods every time I want to use them.  Should I ever damage a rod using the ski rack, then the PVC tube idea will be put into practice.

[Kiett]

Awe guess no one likes my set up lol

My m3 doesn't have a ski pass because I don't have the cold weather package but it was an option for the body style. I used to have to lay the rear seats down and either put them at an angle (touching door jam) or between the front seats (elbow moves forwards and backwards when shifting gears). Both positions could possibly break the rod tip.

Just to let y'all know the rod holder is a lockable thule fishing rod box. In the picture I only have it sitting ontop of the rack to see how it fit. If I were actually transporting it the accessory would be secured and also I have rod bags to cover the rods.

All my fishing is done quite local so it won't spend a lot of time up there. I also plan on getting a kayak to put next to the box lol

People ask why do this on a M3 and not buy another vehicle. I say why not. I bought a car to drive and use what's saying I can't have a little bit of fun with it.

Btw the rods pictures is a st.croix legend elite with a stradic ci4+ 3000. And the other is an avid with a quantum smoke.

[new2BC4bass]

All my fishing is done quite local so it won't spend a lot of time up there. I also plan on getting a kayak to put next to the box lol

 

 

 

Same here.  Fishing is local.  But my boat is a Porta-Bote that goes next to the ski rack.....when it goes.  Which hasn't been in awhile.

 

As far as not having a second vehicle for the boat and rods....not everyone can afford a second vehicle for their fishing hobby.

[DogBone_384]

I drive a 4-dr Tundra. My rods ride with me in the cab.

[buzzed bait]

if you're going to be pickin up a kayak, get a nice sit on top kayak that allows the rod to be stored in the hull.  i have a ride 135 and can fit 8+ combos (in rod sleeves) in the hull of the kayak NO PROBLEM.  that way when you transport kayak/rods there will be no fear of breakage.

[Kiett]

if you're going to be pickin up a kayak, get a nice sit on top kayak that allows the rod to be stored in the hull.  i have a ride 135 and can fit 8+ combos (in rod sleeves) in the hull of the kayak NO PROBLEM.  that way when you transport kayak/rods there will be no fear of breakage.

Good idea too was actually planning on getting the Old Town Predator MX. Have to wait to see one in person before I pull the trigger but I don't know if there's any way to put rods in the yak itself.

 

Lol guess i'll just save the box for bank fishing

[MikeJames]

People ask why do this on a M3 and not buy another vehicle. I say why not. I bought a car to drive and use what's saying I can't have a little bit of fun with it.

 

I agree, I don't have an M3 but I used to get crazy looks and comments when I pulled into the motocross track in a 3 series pulling a 4x6 utility trailer and my 450r.