How are you transporting fishing rods?

[DLAW]

Good weather is right around the corner and so surf fishing is on my brain. Any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Option #1: Rods in Bed:
With the Jeep truck still being relatively new, I'm not seeing any solutions yet designed for the Mopar trail rail. However, I've heard rumors that solutions for the Toyota rails should be the same thing and so I was curious about this one that I found:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-fishing-rod-holder-using-rotopax-mount.272155/

It uses a Roto Pax plate to give you something to attach to.
https://rotopax.com/toyota-nissan-truck-plate.html

Then a Berkley Rod Holder.
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/pro...d1C5Ql6Ruk4SNQ8VT2Viksa-o-YJy9iUaAieuEALw_wcB

The end result is very clean and functional. I like this a lot. I'll be transporting longer surf rods, so I may want to move the racks to the front of the bed, still angled backwards, and still not be too far outside my footprint.

Or I can forgo the Roto Pax plate and just go vertical and simple:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fishing-rod-holder.146069/

Option #2: Rear Trailer Hitch Rod Holder:
What products do you like?

This option sounds like PITA since I'll need to access the tailgate.

Option #3: Front Bumper Rod Holder:
What products do you like?

Would have to be easily removable. Maybe a receiver on the front? I'm currently on the stock Rubi plastic bumper, but a bumper is in my want list. So one with a receiver might be the ticket here.

Sponsored

 

[Mac]

Definitely in the bed, I am probably going to mount something so the rod holder sits in the front of the bed angled back. All my rods are 1 piece 7’ or 7.5’ spinning.

 

[booneja]

Thule Rod vault 4, nice and secure, clean looking

 

[BAT]

Very carefully in the cab of the truck. But since I fish out of a kayak and build my rods or if I buy they are all usually 6'6"

 

[Jaxmax]

First picture is a prior surf buggy with hundred quart cooler rack on front that held 8 rods, used Yakima racks on top with ski holders to travel and carry the real long one, Suburban was an awesome truck.
Second and third pictures are of a 52 quart cooler cut down to fit a 30 quart and be within the head lights. Cut out 4.5” of the middle of rack dropped off at weld shop yesterday, mounting into a Curt receiver hitch on front. Have an RSI cap and the the same yakima rack from my last three surfbuggys to hold rods on top.
I am pretty into surf fishing and my shortest rod is eight foot and longest are 12’, couple are one piece rods, up on the rack is only way to travel with them!
I’ll post some pictures of rack when it is done, thinking about getting it powder coated crinkle black, but not sure how long that wil take.......Jack

 

[Deadeye]

I already have a bed rack for my tent, that is easy to remove. I added on a ski/rod holder that clamps down. Works perfect

 

[Freebooter]

Had a local fabricator make this. Uses the D ring attachments. Just needed longer bolts.

 

[DLAW]

Finally done with this solution. I went with my option #3 after way too much thinking and researching.
Oddly enough, I could only find 1 main stream company that makes these things: Anglers Fish N Mate. They have ZERO competition.

And wow, was it difficult to find the 6 holder. Even when searching, companies call them different things. Like West Marine vs. Cabela's, they call it two entirely different things.
Anyway, it's a $350 setup between the Curt front hitch, the rack, and the hitch-to-rack adapter. It's very solid, and very professional looking. Light weight aluminum. I'm planning on storing it in the garage.
I also might powder coat it.

 

[Jaxmax]

Looks good, hope ya got your surf permit already, pretty good height for driving on roads.....Jack

 

[BRZ]

 

[BRZ]

First picture is a prior surf buggy with hundred quart cooler rack on front that held 8 rods, used Yakima racks on top with ski holders to travel and carry the real long one, Suburban was an awesome truck.
Second and third pictures are of a 52 quart cooler cut down to fit a 30 quart and be within the head lights. Cut out 4.5” of the middle of rack dropped off at weld shop yesterday, mounting into a Curt receiver hitch on front. Have an RSI cap and the the same yakima rack from my last three surfbuggys to hold rods on top.
I am pretty into surf fishing and my shortest rod is eight foot and longest are 12’, couple are one piece rods, up on the rack is only way to travel with them!
I’ll post some pictures of rack when it is done, thinking about getting it powder coated crinkle black, but not sure how long that wil take.......Jack

Did the front hitch fit on the Mojave with the skid plate?

 

[danielspivey]

Snowboard racks are arguably the best option for fish rods… period. Hold really secure and designed not to damage what they are holding. The horizontal approach is wayyy better than vertical. Could put them on in the garage, but with vertical holders… nope. Also the security is pretty good as well. Very very challenging to remove the rods once the rack is locked.

Only challenge with a JT is if you a soft top, you need some sort of bed rack to mount them.

 

[Jaxmax]

Had to trim the skid plate, wanted it as tight as possible but the angled side braces required cutting about a 4”x6” square, the Curt hitch fits right behind the skid plate, touching it, I think it is a stronger skid plate with the hitch. The cutout with it’s black hole look annoyed me that I painted the skid plate black, much better look. Everyone has silver skid plates now, so silver was out, black is easier to maintain and gives a higher look to truck. Heading to Delware next weekend to pretend to fish while sitting on beach…..Jack

 

[BRZ]

Had to trim the skid plate, wanted it as tight as possible but the angled side braces required cutting about a 4”x6” square, the Curt hitch fits right behind the skid plate, touching it, I think it is a stronger skid plate with the hitch. The cutout with it’s black hole look annoyed me that I painted the skid plate black, much better look. Everyone has silver skid plates now, so silver was out, black is easier to maintain and gives a higher look to truck. Heading to Delware next weekend to pretend to fish while sitting on beach…..Jack

Looks great. I might have to consider trimming the skid plate as well. Really like a front hitch for stuff like that. Already planned on painting it black. Have some extra truck bed coating lying around.

 

[Jaxmax]

Thing about black looks good on Jeep, but visibility goes away more. The rack is out there in front, having someone walk into it, or drive into it would suck. The one that was on my Suburban was on a Tahoe before so like 14 years in use and looks good some Mothers mag polish makes it look like chrome , although only really did that once.....Jack

Sponsored