Fly rod storage while fishing

[Further North]

Here's a puzzle for you'se guys:

 

I often throw flies and gear on the same trip.  It's easy to have a few gear rigs pre-rigged and on deck if want to quickly swap presentations...we all do this, I'm guessing.

 

Fly rods present a challenge:

• They are 9 ft. long. 
  • They don't fit in rod lockers.
  • They are longer than front decks.
• The reels on bass/pike/musky appropriate rigs are 4 1/2" in diameter, or larger, and stand about a half inch off the rod.
• When you are stripping fly line onto the deck, you need as little clutter down there as possible because fly line will find whatever is there and tangle up in it.  Not an "if", this is a "when", guaranteed.
• The line will wrap around exposed guides if the rods are laying along the edge of the deck.
• Trying to lever a big musky or pike in a net over the gunnel can pinch...and break...a rod tip.
• Vertical storage is not an option.  You WILL catch anything sticking up with your back cast.  There is no way to avoid this.  Watch video of fly casting if you have doubts.

 

I probably missed something that I'll recall when someone suggests an idea...

 

I'm currently toying with PVC rod tubes along the gunnels (one on each side)...but can't have them permanently mounted for a bunch of reasons.

[J Francho]

Scotty make a fly rod holder that a lot kayakers use.

[Further North]

1 minute ago, J Francho said:

Scotty make a fly rod holder that a lot kayakers use.

Hmmmmm....

 

This one?

 

https://www.amazon.com/Scotty-265-Holder-Side-Mount/dp/B001M4HT3Y

 

...that has posibilities.  I could angle that back along the gunnels....

 

...and that reminds me of one of the challenges I forgot.  The line will wrap around exposed guides, and trying to lever a big musky or pike in a net over the gunnel can pinch...and break...a rod tip.  You can guess how I know this...

 

I'll add those above...but that rod holder still has possibilties...thanks!

[J Francho]

That's the exact one.  I bet you can even use the the gear track on the gunnel.

[Further North]

1 minute ago, J Francho said:

That's the exact one.  I bet you can even use the the gear track on the gunnel. 

Boat is an '05, no gear track, might be able to add one.

 

Good ideas!

Here's the space I have to work with:

 

 

It's about 7 ft. down the center over the rod locker.

[J Francho]

Gen Two gear track: https://www.yakattack.us/by-application/mounting-systems-and-hardware/

[Further North]

I'm likin' it...where my head is now is to hang a hunk of that on the gunnel at the front, another at the rear, and adapt a PVC tube to attach to that...to protect the rods for their full length.

 

Easy on, easy off and won't be in my way when I don't take the fly rods.

[J Francho]

1 minute ago, Further North said:

Easy on, easy off and won't bee in my way when I don't take the fly rods.

That's the beauty of gear tracks.  Us kayakers put that stuff everywhere.

[Further North]

Took some rooting around, but I think I've got it figured out.

 

More later as get details nailed down, see what I can and can't get away with.

 

Has to be pretty secure, a rod over the side if something snaps could easily be a $1,000 problem.

 

[Arcs&sparks]

1 hour ago, Further North said:

More later as get details nailed down, see what I can and can't get away with.

Yes, please post an update with your solution!

 

I am in the process of rigging and customising my new-to-me boat for primarily cold water fishing/trolling, and have been scratching my head about fly rod storage. I have some ideas, but would like to see what you come up with.