Protecting your equipment 2024
HawkeyeSmallie reply :
The days of $40 combos are over for me and have been for several years. The majority of my combos are $300 or more and my most recent is $700.
I'm sure there are many other "gear heads" like myself that like nice gear and take super good care of it.
So, what extra steps do you take to protect your equipment?
For example, laying my poles down in the back of my truck makes me CRINGE. The rods are bouncing up and down against the bed and I jut don't like it. Normally if I take my truck I put down a couple sleeping bags/blankets to protect them. Then I have to add something heavy on the ends otherwise the wind blows the blankets up and then all hell breaks loose on the rods.
How do you guys haul your rods? I need a better system.
Anything else you do no matter how anal it is? 
roadwarrior reply :
Rod sleeves and reel covers. If you don't have a boat with rod lockers carry the rods up front on the passenger side.
HawkeyeSmallie reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 1:20 AM, roadwarrior said:Rod sleeves and reel covers. If you don't have a boat with rod lockers carry the rods up front on the passenger side.
Yep, no boat as of now. I've gone the inside the truck route but with a kid or two and longish one piece poles it makes it hard.
A rod sleeve could work if there was some padding. Seems like many are just mesh and more concerned about keeping them from getting tangled rather than dinged up.
A-Jay reply :
Stick Jackets for me.
A-Jay
roadwarrior reply :
Obviously, you need another rod and reel!
A-Jay reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 1:29 AM, roadwarrior said:Obviously, you need another rod and reel!
First I need more space ~
A-Jay
kickerfish1 reply :
Rod covers or jackets and reel covers will help a lot. Is the back of your truck covered or open? If covered you could use blankets or towels to help pad them in addition to the covers and jackets. If you don't have a bed cover I am not sure what to tell ya.
fishnkamp reply :
My 15 rods are in my rod locker. When we travel my wife's rods are stored in the back of my truck under a hard tonneau covered that is locked. All of her rods are stored in one of these rod carry type bags. I have one of the older ones and have never had a problem transporting them using ours.
http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Extreme-Combo-Caddy-Rod-and-Reel-Carrier/product/15114/
HawkeyeSmallie reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 1:38 AM, fishnkamp said:My 15 rods are in my rod locker. When we travel my wife's rods are stored in the back of my truck under a hard tonneau covered that is locked. All of her rods are stored in one of these rod carry type bags. I have one of the older ones and have never had a problem transporting them using ours.
http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Extreme-Combo-Caddy-Rod-and-Reel-Carrier/product/15114/
Something like that with the addition of rod sleeves would work pretty well I would think. My son and I do a lot of bank fishing so I could take a bunch of poles all at once rather than just a couple at a time. Keeps everything nice and clean as well as I hate setting a reel down in the dirt.
I wish it accommodated longer poles though as I know I have some longer than what it holds.
KDW96 reply :
You could always get one of the from cabelas. They hold the rod an reel well, and are not near as clumsy as ths bps bag. Rod locker makes a nice bag too,or use too. Cabelas 4rod bag works well in the back of my truck,as does the rod locker brand which is higher quality than the cabelas.
Raul reply :
Rods - rod covers and once covered into a rod tube
Reels are removed from the rods, drag and tension knob are backed off, reel cover and into a reel case.
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 1:17 AM, HawkeyeSmallie said:The days of $40 combos are over for me and have been for several years. The majority of my combos are $300 or more and my most recent is $700.
I'm sure there are many other "gear heads" like myself that like nice gear and take super good care of it.
So, what extra steps do you take to protect your equipment?
For example, laying my poles down in the back of my truck makes me CRINGE. The rods are bouncing up and down against the bed and I jut don't like it. Normally if I take my truck I put down a couple sleeping bags/blankets to protect them. Then I have to add something heavy on the ends otherwise the wind blows the blankets up and then all hell breaks loose on the rods.
How do you guys haul your rods? I need a better system.
Anything else you do no matter how anal it is?
I also have a plan for when taking my truck out. I've seen a lot built their rod holder on to truck bed especially with rail track system on the truck. I don't have rail track so I'm gonna use PVC attach to milk crate and tie down, with my backpack inside should be heavy enough to hold it in place.
here is another way when I fish within my lake.
Bluebasser86 reply :
I use rod and reel covers when I'm hauling mine. Usually they're in the rod locker. If I'm hauling them anywhere else, they're in the passenger seat of my truck. Extended cab Tundra fits any bass rod I own.
onetime reply :
Just get a large enough PVC pipe to fit your combos in.
JBradley500 reply :
I keep the cardboard rod tubes that st croix sends my rods in and I take my reels off and keep them in their boxes, which are inside my tackle box. Not the most elaborate plan, but it's safe.
HawkeyeSmallie reply :
Yes probably the safest thing is to put them in some type of a tube. However, I'm really not looking to take the reels off and everything. If it was a trip then no big deal, but going out to a local lake after work time is limited.
Come to think of it, my over the top anal thinking doesn't even like those tubes. Seems like rods can still bang around a lot in those. No padding what so ever.
I need to invent something, not kidding. There have to be others like me. Fishing can be extremely expensive nowadays, protection technology hasn't kept up with the increase in rod/reel technology.
crypt reply :
stick jackets,then in passenger seat of truck.
or in rod locker. back of truck has a soft pad that is used for gyms,soft yet pliable. won't scratch reels. crown royal bags are great reel covers if you know someone that drinks a lot. LOL.
NYWayfarer reply :
Reel covers and rod jackets for me now. Before that I would wrap a towel around my reel before putting it in my trunk.
fishwizzard reply :
I was wondering if a car-top ski box might be an option if your truck had a ladder rack/cage?
Something like his Thule: https://www.thule.com/en-us/us/cargo-carrier/car-top-carrier/thule-motion-xt-xl-_-1691181
Some quick math makes it looks like a few 7' or slightly over rods should fit;
MDbassin reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 1:20 AM, roadwarrior said:Rod sleeves and reel covers. If you don't have a boat with rod lockers carry the rods up front on the passenger side.
This^ I do the same thing all my rods have rod gloves and all my reels have reel gloves and I put them in the front of my truck
papajoe222 reply :
You can tell I'm a Chicago boy, I thought this was a thread about how to keep your stuff from getting ripped off.
I have and SUV and use a system that hangs from it's interior roof. I don't trailer with my gear in my boats rod locker for the above mentioned reason and with my tinted windows they can't be seen by passers by when I stop for nature calls or to grab a bite.
There are a couple of options if you have a cap on your bed, but placing them inside a sleeping bag is a great way to both hide and protect them.
ScottDB reply :
I need to invest in some protection. I have a warranty but sometimes I'll be walking and the tip of my rod will scrape the ground and I cringe
fishwizzard reply :
On 5/3/2017 at 11:39 AM, ScottSteve101 said:I need to invest in some protection. I have a warranty but sometimes I'll be walking and the tip of my rod will scrape the ground and I cringe
Do what I tell all my non-fishing friends to do when they want to come out with me, which is "when you are walking with a rod, keep the tip at eye level and in front of you all the time". That way if you are paying attention to where you are going, the tip can't hit anything.
ScottDB reply :
On 5/4/2017 at 8:53 AM, Bunnielab said:
Do what I tell all my non-fishing friends to do when they want to come out with me, which is "when you are walking with a rod, keep the tip at eye level and in front of you all the time". That way if you are paying attention to where you are going, the tip can't hit anything.
I'll keep that in mind. I'm usually looking around enjoying the nature and my arm relaxes and I scrape it. This should do the trick though. Thanks!
fishwizzard reply :
Yea, I am guilty of looking at the scenery as well, but once you get used to the tip dancing in your vision, it is easy to keep it there and still be able to zone out.
IndianaFinesse reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 1:26 AM, A-Jay said:Stick Jackets for me.
A-Jay
I really like how each rod as a hole, that way they aren't banging into each other. Never seen a rod locker rigged up that way, but I like it.
Quarry Man reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 1:17 AM, HawkeyeSmallie said:How do you guys haul your rods? I need a better system.
Good question. I put my rods in the passenger seat of my truck and let them face the back of the truck. Like others said, rod sleeves and reel covers work great. I don't use them when bank fishing with 2-3 rods as they are a pain to put on and off. just be careful when you put it on the ground. You can also buy combo carriers like the tackle warehouse rod quiver. a pic pipe on your roof rack is a good idea too.
A-Jay reply :
On 5/4/2017 at 10:09 AM, IndianaFinesse said:I really like how each rod as a hole, that way they aren't banging into each other. Never seen a rod locker rigged up that way, but I like it.
Standard Lund locker configuration -
And there's sufficient space to double up on at least half of that again.
A-Jay
fishwizzard reply :
On 5/4/2017 at 10:12 AM, A-Jay said:
Standard Lund locker configuration -
And there's sufficient space to double up on at least half of that again.
A-Jay
Now a box like that, but as stand alone unit that could be bolted to a truck bed, that would be something.
mwh33 reply :
I use rod condoms and tackle warehouse reel covers on all my set ups. I also put a bait wrap on. If my handle is cork, I use cork sealer.
HawkeyeSmallie reply :
On 5/4/2017 at 11:34 AM, mwh33 said:I use rod condoms and tackle warehouse reel covers on all my set ups. I also put a bait wrap on. If my handle is cork, I use cork sealer.
Cork sealer? Never heard of it to be honest. Does water on cork handles deteriorate them faster???
I went fishing last night with my boy and we were wading. A lot of times when landing a fish the end of the rod gets dipped.
Also when we left all of my rods which were laying in the grass were wet due to dew. All cork.
mwh33 reply :
Yeah cork will deteriorate faster when getting it set or just using over time. I use U-40 cork sealer. Makes it easier to clean too.
jimf reply :
I regularly clean the cork handles - hot soap and water or a little rubbing alcohol. I also use a dab of car wax on the blank. Those two things keep them spiffy.
roadwarrior reply :
Try this: http://www.mrclean.com/en-us/shop-products/magic-erasers
HawkeyeSmallie reply :
This doesn't take any of the sensitivity out of the rod does it? If you put seal on it??
Lendiesel22 reply :
My tacoma has a slot across the bed for a board to fit in so I cut one to fit it. Took the board inside and spaced out 10 notches. Tape off the notched area and put several coats of flex seal on it to provide a clean snug channel. Put 2 small eye hooks in the center and one on each end to hold bungees of your choice so you can lock the rods down for travel. The rods fit perfect in the notches with rod gloves on, the bungees lock em in so you dont lose your rod or gloves and the angle created puts little stress on the rods as well as keeps your reels from touching the truck bed. Been using mine for 2 years and love it. Holds 10 rods, nothing gets damaged, and allows me to keep the cab clean. Been told 100x what a great idea it is and once I bring em over and show it to them they are like, wow.....that's really simple.... I have to leave my house and go meet my father and boat then off to the tournament. This solved a big travel problem and I have had 0 damage. I trust it with my gear until I get to the boat and they go in the locker. Works really well and looks cool going down the road.
TX-Deluxe reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 1:20 AM, roadwarrior said:Rod sleeves and reel covers. If you don't have a boat with rod lockers carry the rods up front on the passenger side.
Can't visualize passenger side front seat with rods? Floor to ceiling with seat angled back?
Oklahoma Mike reply :
On 5/5/2017 at 12:42 AM, roadwarrior said:Try this: http://www.mrclean.com/en-us/shop-products/magic-erasers
This is what I use to clean my cork handles and it works like a charm.
Brayberry reply :
I have the same issue as I have a Ford Ranger. You can just stick your rods in a cheap Walmart sleeping bag, then tie it down in the corners of the truck bed. Also closed cell foam works well as to lay under your rods, it just needs to be secured to keep from coming out. I've also stuck my rods in a old blanket and rolled them up and secured them with a rubber band or rope to keep them closed.
Largemouth21 reply :
On 5/5/2017 at 7:08 AM, Lendiesel22 said:My tacoma has a slot across the bed for a board to fit in so I cut one to fit it. Took the board inside and spaced out 10 notches. Tape off the notched area and put several coats of flex seal on it to provide a clean snug channel. Put 2 small eye hooks in the center and one on each end to hold bungees of your choice so you can lock the rods down for travel. The rods fit perfect in the notches with rod gloves on, the bungees lock em in so you dont lose your rod or gloves and the angle created puts little stress on the rods as well as keeps your reels from touching the truck bed. Been using mine for 2 years and love it. Holds 10 rods, nothing gets damaged, and allows me to keep the cab clean. Been told 100x what a great idea it is and once I bring em over and show it to them they are like, wow.....that's really simple.... I have to leave my house and go meet my father and boat then off to the tournament. This solved a big travel problem and I have had 0 damage. I trust it with my gear until I get to the boat and they go in the locker. Works really well and looks cool going down the road.
could you post a pic?
Lendiesel22 reply :
Will do
5fishlimit reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 1:26 AM, HawkeyeSmallie said:A rod sleeve could work if there was some padding.
There are neoprene versions available.
bitsandbass reply :
On 5/5/2017 at 10:00 PM, Lendiesel22 said:Will do
Please post a pic. I have a Chevy Colorado. I'm trying to figure out how to transport multiple 11 foot and 6 foot rods. My brain is driving me crazy! Thanks.
Maggiesmaster reply :
Make a rod tube: get some 6 or 8" sch 40 pvc pipe. Cut it a bit longer than your longest rod. Glue one cap on the end, and glue a screw adaptor on the other--also glue sponges in both caps to prevent tip breakage. Pop rivet at least one handle in the tube and you're set.
XpressJeff reply :
I use Rod Sox and reel covers from TW.
That rod locker of AJ's is about the best I've seen!
MickD reply :
OK, this solution will not be popular, but it works. Kids, long one piece rods, how to have both travel well without hurting the other.
You need a mini van, not a truck. Cobble one of the ceiling rod holders on the headliner, and your in.
Your friends will be impressed by your courage.
fishwizzard reply :
A few of the older guys I kayak fish with have turn the old family minivan into some pretty slick Mobile Kayak Command Centers. I have been thinking of buying a used one and doing the same.
Lendiesel22 reply :
On 5/12/2017 at 1:13 PM, bitsandbass said:
Please post a pic. I have a Chevy Colorado. I'm trying to figure out how to transport multiple 11 foot and 6 foot rods. My brain is driving me crazy! Thanks.
Been running around crazy.....fishing,hockey,baby,work, not enough hours in the d**n day...stand by
Lendiesel22 reply :
Lendiesel22 reply :
The rods stay in the grooves nicely and they ride straight and stable. The angle keeps the reels off the bed and allows for the meat of the rod to sit in the groove. Keeps the rest of the bed open for other things, and has never cost me a guide or tip as many other ways do. Many midnight rider trips and 0 damage to any rod or reel. Lost 1 sock. Hope this helps....helped me
bitsandbass reply :
Very nice setup. I need to keep the tonneau closed though. Looking like a ski roof rack is my only option. They cost a fortune ($500+). I'm pretty bummed.
DogBone_384 reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 1:20 AM, roadwarrior said:Rod sleeves and reel covers. If you don't have a boat with rod lockers carry the rods up front on the passenger side.
X2. I drive a 4 door Tundra so my rods travel in the cab with me, with rod sleeves and reel covers.
When I travel with my rods, they're wrapped in pipe insulation and tucked in a Plano rod tube.
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