These rods are safe from the elements, but not in a position to intrude on storage space. RodLoft Pro, a rigid system with several anchoring options.
For short trips to the local boat ramp, stow those rods in your skiff at the house and you’ll save time launching.
But on longer trips, or times when you’re likely to stop to buy bait and supplies, you’re better off locking your sticks inside a sport utility vehicle or pickup topper. Exposure to highway elements—dust, grit and grime—can be a problem for reels. Theft is also something, unfortunately, we have to be mindful of.
If you like to carry a half-dozen or more rods, strung up and ready to fish (don’t we all?), you can easily install an interior overhead rod rack to keep things organized and out of the way of passengers. Racks help you manage your cargo, making room for coolers, tackle boxes and other gear. They also prevent those nasty tangles that always seem to develop when rods get together in close quarters.
Rod Saver VRC straps fold and stow when not in use.
Probably the simplest and most cost-effective overhead rack is a flexible strap system like the Rod Saver Vehicle Rod Carrier (VRC). This one holds up to seven rods. The two straps are adjustable from 40 to 72 inches, with spring clips for quick attachment and removal from interior coat hooks or hand grabs. Price is around $19.99. The company is perhaps best known for deck-mounted rod straps, used widely in bass fishing. Many national sporting goods and outdoors retailers carry the VRC. Check out www.rodsaver.com
Berkley Twist-Lock, inexpensive but permanent.
If you’re outfitting a pickup topper or camper shell, and aren’t squeamish about drilling holes in it, for about $12 you can rig up one or more Berkley Twist Lock Rod Racks. This plastic-and-foam rack does what its name suggests: You twist a loop on the tip section to remove the rod. If you can’t find the racks at a tackle shop or department store nearby, visit www.berkley-fishing.com
A versatile, somewhat more permanent system, is the RodLoft Pro. This consists of two telescoping bars, extendable to fit the width of most any passenger vehicle. You can hang the RodLoft bars on garment hooks, molding pieces, pickup topper brackets, or other interior hooks, or you can stick them to side windows using suction cups. Mounting hardware for all these applications is included. The basic rack will hold six rods. Additional holders can be mounted on the bars. The rods are supported by neoprene foam inserts in plastic hangers, with elastic security straps on bottom. You can rotate the hanger assemblies upside-down and out of the way, when not carrying rods. For heavy tackle (not that we use it much these days), you can leave out the inserts on the grip side, and trim away some of the foam on the tip sides.
The Inno ZR305, maxed out with 14 rods.
Several retailers, including a number of popular catalogs, offer the RodLoft system for $99. Visit www.rodmounts.com or call (888) 925-4487 for more. The company also makes some external rodholders.
To Snip or Not to Snip?
You think ceiling fans and car doors are hard on tip sections? Maybe you’re familiar with this nasty wrinkle: You stash a rigged rod in your trunk, and a hook gets hung up in the fabric. Later, you go to pull the rod out; you feel a little resistance, and unconsciously you wiggle the rod in an attempt to free the lure. Because the line is tight and aligned with the blank, the tip bends abruptly and snaps. Very expensive, high-modulus graphite rods are especially vulnerable.
Stow your rods fully rigged in overhead racks and you can generally avoid tangles and troubles. But be cautious about laying rods on carpet and upholstery in a car. If you do, you’d be wise to trim off hooks and lures before loading up.
With space for 14 rods, you can carry a whole quiver in the Inno First Strike Interior Rod Rack ZR305. The rigid, stainless steel and aluminum frame bolts to screw holes for overhead hand grips (Oh-$#!^ handles). No drilling is required.
At the rear you loosen a clamp to remove a rod. The tip sections are cradled in front hooks, tapered from the back of the vehicle to keep tips away from driver and passenger. Several models are available, including the ZR306 for 8 rods, and a 2-rod storage rack that suction-mounts to side windows.
Priced at one popular catalog retailer, the ZR305 rack sells for $184.99. For details on Inno products, visit www.rv-inno.com. For tech support, contact Carmate USA, (310) 533-9881.
