Whether you are an avid angler or just a hobbyist you will want to store your fishing rod in a well-organized and protected manner. Having your gear cleared from chaos is a relief and there are tons of options in the market for holding or organizing your rods and reels. But if you are looking for a more customizable and budget-friendly option you can DIY your fishing rod storage. Here are some DIY storage ideas that will turn that clutter into an organized bliss. So let’s dive into the ocean of creativity.
Pros of DIY fishing rod storage
Customizable
Building or DIY-ing your fishing rod storage has the edge of customization. You can get creative and decorate your storage area according to your liking. You can go with a sleek simple storage design or an elaborate masterpiece.
Saves you space
A built-in storage will save up a lot of space and the rest of the space can be utilized for other options. You can mount a rack on the wall or ceiling and free up the space that those rods laid hold off. By cleverly using the abandoned walls or corners, you can make an effective storage for fishing rods.
Budget-friendly
It is tempting to just drive to a store and buy commercial fishing rod storage. Although plenty of options are in the market, they can be expensive. And if it’s a cheap one it will likely be of poor quality. Hence it is better to spend some time building an effective storage rather than spending money on a cheap material.
Things to consider before customizing your fishing rod storage
Space
You should be wise enough to understand the space and your collection. You would want maximum rods to fit in the area you have in your garage, boat or any store room. However, you must keep in mind that storing the fishing rods too close to one another can sabotage them. They might rub against each other and it will be a pain to pick out the right one by just giving one look.
Material
The material that you plan on using should be water-resistant, hard enough to fight against the harsh environment, soft enough to not harm your fishing rod and should be easy to work with. The best material in this case would be plywood. Another good option is PVC, it is rigid and has all the above-mentioned qualities. The best part is that it is waterproof even without a seal or paint.
Location
It is important to find a location that is not harmful in any way possible to your fishing rod. If your rods remain exposed to marine water, sun or pollutants, then there is no point storing them. Don’t just waste all your efforts in building storage that might fail to protect your rods.
DIY Fishing rod storage ideas
Here is a detailed guide for a few DIY fishing rod storage
PVC Fishing rod holder
Material
- Measuring tape
- PVC pipes
- Screws
- Saw
- Drill
- Ear and eye protection
Step-by-step guide
- Mark and divide PVC pipe of 2-inch diameter into 8-inch long pieces.
- Cut these pieces using a cut-off saw, hack saw or PVC cutters.
- Now add caps.
- Mark three inches away from the open end and use a ¼ inch drill bit to drill a hole.
- Push the drill bit through the hole until it touches the other end. Mark the outside of this point with a pencil.
- Mark the vertical center and then make a horizontal line 3 inches down from the top. The point where the lines intersect is where you will drill a 5/32-inch drill bit.
- Now put a screw from the inside of smaller holes and by using a screwdriver screw it into the pipe until it pokes outside.
- Use a level to draw a straight horizontal line on the wall.
- Mark vertical lines every 6 inches and drill small pilot holes.
- Use an anchor if necessary.
- Now attach the pipes with the holes in the wall and tighten the screw with a screwdriver.
- You can screw in hooks on the wall so that the rod stays put with the wall.
Ceiling Rod Holder
Material
- Impact driver
- Screws
- Stud finder
- Pool noodle (4 foot)
- Galvanized floor flanges (½ inch)
- Threaded galvanized pipe (½ inch x 18-inch and ½ inch x 24 inch)
- Elbow fitting (½ inch 90 degree
Step-by-step guide
- Screw an 18-inch pipe into the floor flanges.
- Attach the elbow fittings to it.
- Join both elbows with a 24-inch pipe.
- Find ceiling beams with a stud finder.
- Mount the floor flanges to the ceiling.
- Place the other one at a distance that you think is right. The length of the rod rack is up to you. You just want it to be short enough to fit the shortest fishing rod.
Wooden fishing rod rack
Material
- Lumber (1×4 or 2×4)
- Screws
- Wood glue
- Sandpaper
Step-by-step guide
- Measure your fishing rods to cut the slots of the desired diameter and determine the spacing between them.
- Cut the lumber to a length that will fit all your rods. Make sure there is enough space between the slots to prevent crowding.
- Attack the backboard to the wall using screws.
- Position the slots on the board at a considerable distance. Ensure that the slots are levelled and equally spaced.
- Secure the slots in place with wood glue and screws.
- Sand the edges for a smoother finish.
- You can paint the rack or add a protective coating.
- Make sure the rack is completely dry before placing the rods in it.
Maintenance
To ensure the longevity of your DIY fishing rod storage, you must follow these tips
- Clean the rods and area regularly
- Add protective coatings to the storage
- Inspect for any wear or tear
Conclusion
Organizing the fishing gear is necessary for protection and easy access. With the help of these step-by-step guides, you can DIY your very own fishing rod storage. Now all you need to do is just customize the storage and give it the finishing touches according to your taste. And voila! You have your custom-built fishing rod storage. Enjoy the process along the way.
