Rod Racks....
 

Looking to get one, Roof Rack, for the truck. Want it to be durable and secure. hold 3-4 rods

What do you guys like?

I cant tell what i like, but i HATE the Thule.

Waddaya mean Jimmy? Expain. I love my thule rack.

Jimmy's a boat guy now anyways so all his stuff can be stowed inside the vessel.:laugha: Therefore, I will strike the hate comment without finding provided you explain.....

I should have been more clear, I have the Thule rod carrier, the one with the box - castawsy. I could barely fit 2 reels in it. I think you have the thule ski racks and use them for rods, correct. At least thats what i remember when I was following your truck around all last year.

You mean at Killington? :hee:

Seriously, my brother had the box model(castaway) you mention and like you stated, it sucked. Better for freshwater sized reels than salt. Regular ski racks rock though. I think mine are called Snowcats or Wildcats. They hold five or six surf rods easily and haven't failed me yet.

Really? I have a castaway, have had a VS150, VS200, and 2 Stradics inside it...The one down fall you could probably just punch in open. I like the whole out of sight out of mind deal.
Ideally, I would like to get a metal fab guy/shop to remake it out or diamond plate, problem solved..

the surfcaster ones look pretty damn good

surfcaster one is great, holds two poles securely, locks too. i suggest bolting it on though.

I think I have posted this before but I will again. I fished in the surf for a lot of years. In 1992 I bought Yakama ski racks. The double. They lock. They bolt to existing racks or have an adaptor that will make them fit anything.

Fast forward to 2008. Yep, still on my truck (4 trucks since I bought them) still work fine and no one has ever stolen a rod or reel off my roof. You cannot go wrong.

Currently using the bigger model from the surfcaster no issues lockable etc. picked it up here. Love it.

I have the Thule double ski rack - it's about 15 years old and it works fine! :lm: Bolting it on the roof is a must. The only loss I had was when the thief cut through the brackets. No way to stop that.:yak5:

Check out the Hunter rod vault I love mine, locks the reels. they have 2 and 4 rod holders.

I've been eyeing that one....looks secure but I was wondering if it would scratch up the rods or reels...they need better pics

I have the Hunter 2 rod holder for my 4 Runner. I think its great. I haven't noticed scratching from it. I know people that have but some silicone around the edges to stop it. My Van Staals are beat to hell so I didn't bother doing that.

check out fishing innovations locking rod racks i think its www.lockingrodracks
his phone number is 1 860 304 9131

Everyone has different needs and stopping a real thief from taking your reel or rod will be difficult. If you really want to deter a thief I think you should keep the rod IN the vehicle.
That said I had a home made one, a commercial one but for the last 10 years use the double ski rack from Thule. IMO this works great, it is lockable but it is not going to really stop someone who wants your reel. You can put 5 or 6 rods in there and keep the reels well off the roof with spaces they provide. Also they don't scar the reel or rod. I have seen "rod racks" which try to keep the reel upright, scratch the reel stem.

You guys didn't read my post. Yakama rod racks. They lock. The reels fit under the cross bar. They have rubber for a cushion. I have had mine 16 years and they still work like new.

What don't you like? www.yakama.com

It was read.18+ volt sawzall will go through those Yakima racks like a knife through warm butter.

TDF:
There's been a guy at the SWE fishing show every year with some insane locking racks.Talk to PeteG.Big $$$ but if security is your main concern these are the racks for you.

Mine were Thule high foots but I had the same experience. I should have taken them off the truck before it got buried....

And what, a 18+ volt sawsall won't go thru the other racks? I believe my point was that for the last 16 years the same racks have safely carried my rods and reels.

This wasn't meant to become a pissing contest. It was just informational.

I'm pretty much given to the fact that if someone REALLY wants to steal them they will....just looking to see if there is something out there that will make it harder for them. I checked out the Yakima racks....the price is right. How do you secure the reels in them though?

Locks keep the honest people out

Leave them attached to the rod. Put the rod on the open rubber strips (with the reel in front or behind the rear most rack) close and lock the rack and away you go through about anything at any speed.

Exactly.

this is getting confusing, I think TDF is worried about someone stealing the reels off the rods, in which case a ski rack type thing woudln't work, cause all someone has to do is take the reel off the seat

The racks should be for transporting. Outside of quick shot at a spot or if I was fishing right in front of my vehicle or sleeping in it, I just stowed the reel or the whole rod that I wasn't using in the truck.

Again, exactly.
Come on guys, use some logic here. If you want a rod rack that will be fool proof in protection of a $300 Loomis 10' graphite rod and a VS 200 then you are plum crazy. I never left my rods on the roof overnight or when I wasn't with the truck or at least could see the truck. We had over $5K worth of rods and reels when we went to the Block and we took the rods inside the motel/condo when we slept.
Why would you leave that kind of money on the roof? You are just tempting fate.

The racks are good for transporting and for safeguarding the rods when you make a quick stop or are in a resturant and can see the truck. Even locking them, I would never leave my rods on them overnight except in my driveway