Bass Boat Rod Storage

[ARoe90]

Just bought a new Triton 179 TRX but it didn't come with any kind of rod storage organizer in the rod boxes, should I order the one from Triton with the tubes and brackets or just use rod socks and reel covers and have them in there loosely? What are some pros and cons of each? I've heard things from both sides but just cant figure it out, I am leaning towards putting some kind of structure in there like the tubes but not sure, has anyone out there done any home made organizers?

[junyer357]

Most folks i know still use rod socks, stick jackets, etc.. over rods even with putting them in tubes.  The socks help the rods slide in and out easier without catching or bending an eye. 

With that being said try them loose with rod socks over them before you order a new part or anything. 

[Skunked again]

Rod socks for me. Organizers limit how many rods you can put in. 

Can usually find the socks on sale now and then. 

Do you have micro guides on your rods? Most of the socks say "not for micros". Some of my rods do, works OK for me.

Have seen some posts of people using golf club bag inserts to make their holders.

[BassnChris]

Here is one I did on my last boat.

 

[Ski213]

I thought about doing something for rod organization on mine. I think it's mostly what is going to work for you personally.  I opted not to. I felt like it was going to be somewhat limiting. Nothing against it, just not for me. I've been meaning to try the rod socks but i still haven't.

Is this your first boat or is it the first boat without a rod organization system?  If it's your first boat just try it for awhile without and see if you really need the organizers. 

[BassnChris]

If I didn't have rod organizer I would definitely use rod socks.

i currently use Rod socks for my spinning gear and have Rod organizer for my baitcasters.

[Further North]

I thought I wanted rod tubes in my center rod locker...until I tried to put them in myself and realized a few things:

1. They really limit the number of rods I can store.
2. It's a PITA to get the rods on the bottom out.
3. Since the back of my rod locker is solid and does not lift out...I have to bend the rods to get them in and out.
4. Rod tubes create a strict maximum on rod length...where without them I can angle a slightly longer rod to one side to get it in.

...So I use sleeves custom made for each rod with the raw material purchased from Amazon and some heavy duty shrink tubing.  Takes about 5 minutes to make one.

All that said...I completely get why some folks like the built in tubes.  Way more organized.

[Bluebasser86]

I actually took the tubes out of my boat because I could only store about 15 rods in my locker with them in. There's over 30 in there without the tubes. I use the rod sleeves and reel covers to keep everything protected. 

[BrianSnat]

On 2/23/2016 at 8:32 PM, BassnChris said:

Here is one I did on my last boat.

 

Brilliant! How do you people think of these things?

 

[WIGuide]

Depending on how many rods you have, it may work better without them. The organizers are nice to keep things organized, but using rod gloves and reel covers keeps them just as protected and you can jam way more setups in. Also, if you have rods that are really tight in there length wise it might be better to go without as you can angle them to make them fit better. 

[FryDog62]

I've gone back/forth on tubes vs. rod socks.  Problem I've had with rod socks: First, the socks don't protect the reels.  On a long trip to Canada... my rods/reels in the locker clanged together all the way there.  Rods were fine but the reels were all scuffed up, and one of my spinning reels bails was slightly bent.  Second, I've had a couple rod tips broken by going in/out awkwardly out of back corners in the rod locker.  Third, pulling the rod socks on/off constantly is kind of a PITA - especially with hooks/lures on.

My current boat doesn't have a center rod locker with tubes so I continue to use socks... I even found some that have a pouch that goes over the reel.  I still don't really like it and think back to when I had all my rods organized in my other boat with a center locker and tubes.  Never did any damage to any rod/reel and they were faster in/out.  

Just my .02

[Dbn23]

I have a 179 myself and I like using just the rod socks, but I only have 5-6 rods that I keep in the rod locker. If I had 10+ rods in one side I'd probably go with some type of tubes.

[tbone1993]

On 2/23/2016 at 9:27 PM, Further North said:

I thought I wanted rod tubes in my center rod locker...until I tried to put them in myself and realized a few things:

1. They really limit the number of rods I can store.
2. It's a PITA to get the rods on the bottom out.
3. Since the back of my rod locker is solid and does not lift out...I have to bend the rods to get them in and out.
4. Rod tubes create a strict maximum on rod length...where without them I can angle a slightly longer rod to one side to get it in.

...So I use sleeves custom made for each rod with the raw material purchased from Amazon and some heavy duty shrink tubing.  Takes about 5 minutes to make one.

All that said...I completely get why some folks like the built in tubes.  Way more organized.

What's the material?

[Further North]

10 hours ago, tbone1993 said:

What's the material?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0008JF8U0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Dtools&field-keywords=Techflex+clean+cut

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Dtools&field-keywords=Techflex&rh=n%3A228013%2Ck%3ATechflex

The clean cut works better than the other kind, but costs a little more.  You need to size it to what kind of rods you are making the sleeve for; the 1 1/2" worked great for my ML St. Croix Spinning Rod, the 1", or even the 3/4" will be OK for casting rods.

Some colors of the non-Clean Cut seem tighter than others.  Dunno why.

I rend to cut them too long...when I make new ones, I'll cut them so that a lure stuck in the bait keeper is outside the sleeve.

My process goes like this:

1. Measure Techflex along rod. 
   1. Leave a good inch and a half at tip to cover with shrink tubing.
   2. I go about 2" at the reel end to fold over.
2. Cut to length. 
   1. I use regular scissors, but you can get some kind of heated blade thingy that is supposed to work better.
3. Fold tip end in on itself until you can cram it inside some heavy duty 1/2" shrink tubing. 
   1. Make sure a little of the Techflex is sticking out the end....call it 1/4"
4. Shrink the shrink tubing 
   1. I use a propane torch because it's what I have.  Works great. 
      1. You'll want to melt the exposed end of the Techflex. 
      2. You can run a couple heavy stitches through the shrunken shrink tubing to make sure the tip stays on...I don't bother.  I've only had one fall off and it's easy enough to replace.
5. Hit the reel end, lightly, with a torch.
6. Fold the reel end over (I go outside) and crease it aggressively.
   1. On my latest versions, I fold it over twice to keep the cut end inside...but I'm not sure that's needed.  I tried a few folded to the inside with the non-clean-cut Techflex...but that seems to like to crawl up inside itself and then I have to pull it out.

The first one might take 10 minutes...but after that it's around 5 minutes apiece.