Transporting Rods??

[Big O Tires Angler]

Hey guys, I'll be making a camping trip out to a lake in CA at the end of the month and we're taking a small 12' aluminum boat so I'll be taking my truck, but I haven't figured out how to transport my rods! There will be passengers in the truck so I won't be able to lean them against the front seat and I don't want them bumping and banging in the back of the truck bed because I spent a lot of money on my equipment!

I was looking at rod tubes, but they're just hollow plastic and my rods would just crash against each other inside of say a bazooka tube. My rods range from 6'8" to 7'3".

How do you guys transport your rods?? Your help is greatly appreciated!

[Tim Ford]

I would use a rod tube, put some sort of padding between the rods, and ship them to your destination via Fed-Ex.  Buy the optional shipping insurance, and you're set.  This is exactly what my dad does when he visits me from Florida, and it works every time.

[BassnMan Mike]

I transport mine in the rod locker of my boat but seeing how that sounds like its out of the question for you this is what I used to use.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_15114____SearchResults

By the way, which lake are ya going to?

[Big O Tires Angler]

We're heading out to Indian Valley Reservoir, which is NE of Clearlake. It's a smaller lake that's pretty well known for it's good fishing.

That looks like a simple and cheap solution BassnMan Mike. There are some mixed reviews on the product though

I don't mind paying some money to protect my rods because I'm sure I'll use it quite frequently...

Any other ideas guys?

[BassnMan Mike]

We're heading out to Indian Valley Reservoir, which is NE of Clearlake. It's a smaller lake that's pretty well known for it's good fishing.

That looks like a simple and cheap solution BassnMan Mike. There are some mixed reviews on the product though

Thats not the exact one I used to use, I dont thing they make it anymore. Good luck to ya, have fun!

[bilgerat]

Perhaps PVC tubes and end caps ?

They make PVC pipe in small enough diameters so you could have an individual tube for each rod. They could be custom cut for length and you could glue foam in the end caps to protect the butts and tips.

Not much to look at, but they would do the job.

[hercdoc]

Here's an option if you want to spend a buck or two!

http://www.truckvault.com/

[Big O Tires Angler]

hercdoc, hahaha if only my truck bed was long enough to support a 7'3" rod that way!

[Fishing Rhino]

I'd opt for the 4" (6" is also available) PVC pipe with end caps. One end glued on, and on the other end the female adapter used for cleanouts on drains.  Glue it on, and you've got a nearly indestructible rod carrier.

Get some rod socks and you're good to go. You'll have to remove your reels, and carry them separately.

[islandbass]

The bazooka or other like product from the competition (I have the Plano One that goes up to 88") is your best bet. I have one and have taken it with me out of country. You are right about the potential for rods banging around, but with some careful thought that lil' old islandbass can be noted to have on occassion however rare, you can separate your rods and keep each one safe and sound by using pipe insulation that you can by at any home depot or lowes. They are already split and can accomodate rod blanks and guides. The insulation doesn't even have to cover the entire rod. Just the spots where they might bang upon other rods. I am guessing you could safely store 4-5 rods with the insulation.

Good luck!

I am a bit shocked at the price. I bought mine a couple years ago and it was about $35.00.  

[MarauderYak]

I've used the BPS combo caddy for years.  I can see where it would feel odd with a single combo, but after you get several in there it ballances nicely.  It doesn't have any solid backbone so you wouldn't want to put it where a cooler could slide into it, or something heavy could fall on it.  It works great for me, but if you're going to be in a situation where you need more protection; removing the reels & using a Bazooka tube (or similar) would be the next step.

[flechero]

Use a bazooka or pvc and sleeve the rods in rod socks.  Anything else is risky.  

I also have one of the soft padded carriers but with reels at both ends, it bends a lot in the middle and you need full length support...  and if you had an area like that, you wouldn't need the carrier.  ...lol

[andamtoft]

If any of you have used the 6" pvc pipe, how many rods can you fit in there?

[bilgerat]

If any of you have used the 6" pvc pipe, how many rods can you fit in there?

That would depend on a couple of things:

Spinning rods have the larger first guide, that takes up a little more room. It also depends on how you pack the tube. You may fit more by staggering the rods, by that I mean don't have all of the handles at one end.

[Tin]

Bazooka tubes and newspaper at the butt and tip of the rod, lots of flights and zero issues.