Looking for some sort of rod transport tube for storing and transporting rods in the 8+ foot range with the bait casting reel attached.

From what I have seen everything is designed to transport rods with the reels taken off. I use my rods on a very regular basis so I would love a solution which allows me to keep the reel and line attached. Something I could throw in the truck and not worry about getting bounced around. Then pull out on friday afternoon with the rod and reel ready to go.

any thoughts ???

forgot to mention the rods to break down into 2 pieces.

Cabela's has had a transport tube for some time for steelhead rods. Single or double rod configuration. Mine has held up well for 8+ years, many trips to Alaska, etc.

For a 2-pc you might consider one of the plano plastic gun cases. Might as well get the one that holds two guns. Just carve up the foam to fit the reel.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Research suppliers in the UK. This is a common item among carp fishermen.

Casey,
Yes you can find cases and or boxes to do the very thing that you suggest.
However, I beg the question - how long does it take you to mount a reel and string a line? 20 seconds, 1 minute, 90 seconds?

It seems that you are adding a lot of bulk to your rod storage needs in order to save a minute or two of prep time.

You can pick up a 4 inch 10 foot long PVC sewer drain tube from Home Depot or Lowes for about $6 and store about 10 rods in it. Purchase two caps for the ends of the pipe. Cut the pipe to the length that you need. Glue one cap on permanently. If necessary sand down the other end of the pipe so that the end cap is a slip fit. If you only need storage for one or two rods, you can use a 2 inch piece of PVC for bait casting rods or a 3 inch PVC for spinning rods due to the larger guides.

I have also picked up a small heavy duty tool bag that nicely holds about 8 reels - either bait casting or spinning. As long as the reels are all in the bag together, there is no bouncing around and no damage.

When you get to your destination, pop open the cap of the tube - take out your rod of choice, replace the cap. Open the bag, take out the reel of choice, zip the bag closed. Take about a minute to mount the reel and thread the line through the guides and you are ready to tie on a bait and go fishing.

Total storage expenditure - under $20 to be able to store about 6-8 rods and reels in a nice compact format.

----
When I take my boat to the lake, I will commonly bring my rods and reels in this fashion. The rods store so much better and so much more compactly without the reels on the rods. Then, the reels store very well in the small tool bag. Grab the rod you want for the presentation, grab the reel you want for the presentation, and you are ready to go in a minute or so. By the end of the day, you likely have a dozen or more rods rigged the way that you want for the fish that you are chasing. But you always have the option of just fishing with the first rod that you use for the entire day and have minimized the hassle and storage areas. Also, by not having reels on the rods, the bulk of the time, you very much minimize the potential damage you get from having reels bouncing around and bumping other rods and reels.

Good luck
Roger

Casey,
Or you can go with one of these style cases:

[www.hardingandsons.com]

or:
[www.sportube.com]

or:
[www.sportsmanswarehouse.com]

or:
[www.amazon.com]

or:
[www.basspro.com]

or:

[www.sportsmanswarehouse.com]





Roger



Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 05/09/2012 10:05AM by roger wilson.

Casey,

I understand where you are coming from. It's nice to be able to just grab a rod and go without the hassle of stringing it every time. You may be able to find something out there that will fit your needs but you'll probably end up having to build your own. I do alot of musky fishing with 8.5-9' rods and I drive a Ford Ranger longbed (7'). My 8.5' rods will fit, but 9' won't. I'm in the process of designing a secure and lockable rod holder that will allow me to carry my rods, with reels attached, on top of my camper top so that they are fully enclosed and protected. I had been looking at the car-top carriers that many fly fishermen use out West, but I want something more secure that will protect my rods from flying debris and keep them clean. I'm leaning towards using a 3" schedule 20 PVC pipe with an adapter that goes to a short section of 6" pipe to hold the reels. I figure I'm looking at around $100-$125 for all the materials for a secure rod rack that will hold 6 fully rigged musky rods.

It's a pain in the butt to stand in the parking lot for 15 minutes rigging up rods before you go fishing!

jeremy