Roof Rack Rod Holder

[Mike P]

It depends on how theft-resistant you want your gear to be, if you pop into a convenience store to get a coffee.

Tube holders = no security. Rods and the reels on them can disappear in a flash, unless you have a lock on whatever holds them on the front rack.

Locking ski racks = moderate security. At least for the rods. If you put the first guide of a spinning rod between the front and rear racks, the rod is pretty secure. The reel, not so much

Locking reel box on the rear rack = maximum security for both rod and reel. The rod ain't coming out of the box while the reel is still mounted. Both Thule and Hunter sell boxes, or you could make your own. Be sure that it's deep enough to hold a spinning reel, if you use spinning gear.

[piemma]

Originally Posted by Mike P

It depends on how theft-resistant you want your gear to be, if you pop into a convenience store to get a coffee.

Tube holders = no security. Rods and the reels on them can disappear in a flash, unless you have a lock on whatever holds them on the front rack.

Locking ski racks = moderate security. At least for the rods. If you put the first guide of a spinning rod between the front and rear racks, the rod is pretty secure. The reel, not so much

Locking reel box on the rear rack = maximum security for both rod and reel. The rod ain't coming out of the box while the reel is still mounted. Both Thule and Hunter sell boxes, or you could make your own. Be sure that it's deep enough to hold a spinning reel, if you use spinning gear.

Agreed for conventionals. For spinning reels, if you put the reel seat under the locking bar there is very little they can do to get it out quickly. Nothing will be totally secure if they have a battery powered sawsall.
I have had my Yakima ski rack for 19 years and never had anyone try to steal the rods or reels. I think the fact that they see that they are locked is a deterent.

[AL617]

Doesnt get much cheaper or simpler than this... On the back I bolted a piece of unistrut with pvc tubes attached via EMT clamps, Painted the whole deal with black Rusto. The thing on the front is just a simple aluminum/foam boat rod holder bolted onto the factory crossbars just like the back. Got that from basspro $18 bucks for two of em (only part of this that cost me any money .

I dont usually fish too far from home so this setup is perfect for me. Longer rides I bungee them on there front and back.



Hope that helps

-Al

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by AL617

I dont usually fish too far from home so this setup is perfect for me. Longer rides I bungee them on there front and back.
-Al

You don't need to go far

[AL617]

Originally Posted by JohnR

You don't need to go far

Just fishing, no catching, No fish up here.

-Al