Rod Storage | Transporting Fishing Rods
Within the angling world, anglers have seen the need to buy longer and longer rods for increasingly big fish. Rods that push 8 feet on up to even 12 feet are not as uncommon as they once were. From heavy offshore rods to long catfish poles, all the way to musky and steelhead rods 8-foot rods are becoming the minimum for certain fishing applications.
With the need for longer rods comes the need to transport them safely and effectively. Here are some tips and considerations to keep in mind on how to transport long fishing rods.
#1. Do Not Throw Your Rods in the Bed of a Truck
It has happened to the majority of anglers; the fastest and easiest place for a rod is a truck bed. However, this is one of the most common places to break a rod. While rolling around with other fishing gear such as coolers, tackle bags, and whatever else you store in your truck bed, fishing rods often don’t fare well. Sometimes with busted or bend eyelets, crushed butt ends, or even worse, the rod tip breaking.
With long offshore or big species rods it may be impossible to close your tailgate depending on the length of your truck bed. Leaving the inconvenience of having to tie both fishing rods and fishing gear down.
#2. Offshore and Big Species Rods Are Expensive—Don’t Get Them Stolen
Transporting many big species and offshore rods can be a huge liability if they are not properly locked up. Many musky rods alone cost upwards of $600. Certain roof mounted rod tubes are great for transporting safely but many do not come with the ability to lock. Be aware of this when buying your transportation system or before considering leaving your expensive rods in an open truck bed.
#3 Consider Transporting Long Rods in System Made Specifically For Them
There is undoubtedly a wide variety of ways to transport fishing rods. However, the majority of them get more complicated with 8 foot or longer rods. Certain long rods are made telescopic or break down into two to four pieces but unfortunately, not all are.
A lot of rod tubes on the market are simply not made long enough. Something to consider buying if you own a truck is a truck bed rod holder. Systems like The Portarod are made with long offshore, or big species rods in mind as any length of rod can be held securely in the rod holders.
The Portarod system is also designed with locks to save expensive rods from being stolen out of your truck bed. The good part too—the system is affordable and gives you peace of mind when transporting those long offshore, catfish, muskie, or salmon and steelhead rods.
Often times it is best to buy specific systems for your longer rods to save them down the road over having them lost, stolen, or damaged. You’ll thank yourself for protecting your expensive gear now, versus paying to replace them.
With these tips on how to safely and effectively transport long fishing rods, you can be certain that you’ll have your rods safe and damage free for years to come.