Are horizontal fishing rod racks safe for rods?

[fishwizzard]

Hi,

 

I am running out of room for my combo and want to start storing some of my less-used rods on a horizontal rack on my office wall.  I have read a little stuff online that suggests that this is bad for rods and they should only be stored vertically.  Is there any truth to that?  Thanks!

[evilcatfish]

I store my swimbait  rods horizontally, mainly because they won't fit vertically in my basement. I've had zero issues thus far, but I'm no rod scientist and have no idea what long term effects might be. 

[Tywithay]

It won't hurt them at all. There's tons of guys that keep them horizontally in a rod locker on a boat for years, with no issues.

[Mike L]

Why would there be a problem  ?

 

 

 

Mike

[grub_man]

Older fiberglass rods will take a set when stored for long periods when flexed.  Improperly supporting a rod that is stored horizontally can lead to this as well.  With graphite rods, it is not really an issue.

 

If you are going to store a rod horizontally, it's best to support its entire length, but not really practical.  If you are using horizontal rod racks, support a spot near the butt of the rod and a place in the midsection of the rod that won't introduce a significant bend in the rod.  A third support near the tip wouldn't be a bad idea, but not necessary, unless the rod is particularly long and limber in the tip.

 

Since I don't have the luxury of a rod locker in my boat, most of my rods that see regular use are laying on my casting deck with 2'-3' of the tip section not supported.  Other rods, I try to store as vertical as possible.

[fishwizzard]

Ok, cool it sounds like it’s not an issue.  

 

Does anyone have a horizontal rack that they are particularly fond of?   I’m looking to store about six rods, I’d like to store them with the reels on, but that is not a must.   

[optimator]

3 minutes ago, fishwizzard said:

I’d like to store them with the reels on, but that is not a must.   

Just alternate the ends on each rod instead of putting all the reels on one end. I store mine vertically so I cant help with a rack. 

[Vilas15]

38 minutes ago, fishwizzard said:

Ok, cool it sounds like it’s not an issue.  

 

Does anyone have a horizontal rack that they are particularly fond of?   I’m looking to store about six rods, I’d like to store them with the reels on, but that is not a must.   

I got the "Cabela's Six-Rod Horizontal Rod Rack" and it has worked well so far. Looks good and rods are spaced far enough apart to keep the reels on, you just need to be careful taking them in/out. The only issue is I had to sand the surfaces that would hold the rods since they come rough just from being cut with no sanding.

[MassYak85]

Yes, the immense weight of a 5 oz rod and 7 oz reel will not only cause it to bend to the point of breaking while in the rack, but will likely cause it to smash right through the floor of your house 

 

 

Jokes aside, store them in any orientation you would like just as long as they are not getting bumped or smashed by or into other things, and are not storing them bent somehow. Rod socks, pvc tubing, and some plywood can give you some great storage methods. 

[JustJames]

I did DIY rod rack. I support the end butt and less than half of rod blank (3' apart) that way you rods dont bend in the middle.

[islandbass]

I store mine horizontally out of necessity. And I do so with no reels attach. 

 

@JustJames that is sweet!