New Fishmobile - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

BasicPatrick · 01-02-2006, 10:07 PM

10 feet inside is the tough part...if you figure 9 foot inside and committ to a locking roof rack there are countless options...

My dream is a 4wd full size 8foot bed VAN...but ungodly $$$ and horrible gas milage.

I would say take a look at the Nissan Exterra. Mjight be all you want for not a ton of dough.

Bass Babe · 01-02-2006, 10:10 PM

Do locking roof racks lock everything, or do you have to remove your reels? Has anyone heard of any vandalism and/or theft of locked items?

BasicPatrick · 01-02-2006, 10:18 PM

There are some locking raod racks available...The Surfcaster makes one, and I saw another at Captain Don's in Rhode Island. I have always had the philosophy that if I was to spend tens of thousands on a new truck and I am a fisherman, I an going to buy a quality rod rack and be done...once and for all.
Oh yeah, yes is the answer to your question. There have been rare accounts of theft from racks, and also from inside vehicles.

Nebe · 01-02-2006, 11:11 PM

Bassbabe, buy yourself a decent used tacoma extra cab 4x4 and get a good cap with tinted windows and a slider on the front of the cap. You can buy rod holders that mount on the cieling of your cap. that way your rods and reels are up and out of the way..Plus they are inside your rig and out of site.. no one will see them. Theft has been a problem at some of the places in gansett that you have posted pics of earlier this year FYI...

you cant beat a tacoma..

macojoe · 01-02-2006, 11:33 PM

well you no say if you want pick up or SUV?

Suv is nice but you are never going to get rods all the way in!!
I had full size Blazer and use to hand the rods from the celing with the rods inside. This way I could rasie the window to about 1 inch from closed. Now they can't get the reels or rods with out breaking them.

Todays SUV have hatch backs and this will not work for you. so locking roof rack is the only way to go!!

Pick up truck is going to be real tricky to lock your stuff, unless you have a cap, But even then you will have to figure how to lock the back as a large pick up has only a 8 foot bed.
Good luck in your search!

I like the Trail Blazers myself!

Bass Babe · 01-02-2006, 11:47 PM

thanks guys. im not really looking for a pickup or SUV in particular. the pickup with tinted cap is sounding good to me, based on what's been said. i may have to transport seal/dolphin/whale heads from time to time, so I suppose a pickup would be best, so I can hose the thing down. i wonder if an extra long ranger with the back window open could fit my stuff? im fine with the rod rack idea also, but would probably just try to wedge my unused rods inside the vehicle diagonally to keep them safer when im out fishing and not driving. i guess im a little paranoid?

gone fishin · 01-03-2006, 12:09 AM

If you are transporting that stinky stuff you will want a basket to slide into a trailer hitch. That keeps the stink outside and makes the cleanup a lot simpler.

Also with your new job you will want 4 wheel drive. I have a wrangler and can store 4 - 10 ft rods inside ( two piece) and my long rods go on top in a locked rack. I do take the reels off when not on the prowel for fish.

MoroneSaxatilis · 01-03-2006, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass Babe

...i may have to transport seal/dolphin/whale heads from time to time, so I suppose a pickup would be best, so I can hose the thing down.

In 20+ years of offshore commercial scalloping, I have never come across a seal or whale "head". I've seen maybe a half dozen dolphin skulls in all that time. With new, increasingly restrictive days-at-sea regs, I think the chances of getting one are even slimmer now. I don't think it's going to be enough of an issue to let it affect your vehicle purchase.
..just my 2¢