Who out there is running a roof top fly rod box? I found a couple pics and posts here through the search function, but I'm sure there are more out there as they gain popularity. I'm seriously considering one. I feel like the spoiler will interfere with the opening or I'll have to mount it really far forward. I know I can remove it, but just checking options. I also have a fishing kayak and I'm sure it will be easier to load/unload without the spoiler so it's likely coming off. If anyone's running a roller on their roof rack (I have a prinsu) for loading a kayak I'd be interested in that also. Thanks for any reply's with your personal experience on this.
Fly rod roof rack/box/vault
- Thread starter bgriest
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I actually use a Thule ski rack for my rods - where it clamps is a nice soft rubber gasket designed to hold skis in place without damaging them, and it works perfect for my rods.
I did for a summer about 5 years ago, but got rid of it. I have kept my rods inside the 100 since then. I put a bungee cord between the 2nd row seat grab handles, and then two bungee cords across the 3rd row seatbelt mounts. I twist the bungee in the rear and hook my reels into it.
It's about $3, I don't advertise I have fly rods, and no wind noise or interference in car washes, my garage door, etc.
It's about $3, I don't advertise I have fly rods, and no wind noise or interference in car washes, my garage door, etc.
C6H12O6
SILVER Star
I've had the three-rod Denver Outfitters RodVault for a few years now. I like it, but there are better options now. The RodVault design was sold to Thule, and it looks like they only come in two-rod and four-rod versions now. It's a pretty good solution, and has held up well to banging around on rough roads, but I'm not sure it's worth the $599 price tag for the four-rod holder.
One thing I've found is helpful, is to cover the rods before they go in. I made some full-length rod protectors out of 1" nylon net jacket. Without protection, the rods do get scuffed up a bit rubbing on the inside of the tubes. Still, nice to not have to break the rods down. I've got a rod rack in the garage to store my fly rods whole, then they go straight into the RodVault on the truck, then directly into the drift boat when I'm fishing. Huge time saver on the water.
One thing I've found is helpful, is to cover the rods before they go in. I made some full-length rod protectors out of 1" nylon net jacket. Without protection, the rods do get scuffed up a bit rubbing on the inside of the tubes. Still, nice to not have to break the rods down. I've got a rod rack in the garage to store my fly rods whole, then they go straight into the RodVault on the truck, then directly into the drift boat when I'm fishing. Huge time saver on the water.
C6H12O6
SILVER Star
The position pictured, the reel box clears the spoiler by about a centimeter.
I haven't made the plunge yet, but I've been eyeing the Riversmith rod carriers. I've seen them in person on other's cars and they looked high quality. I'll buy one as soon as I figure out how to hide it from my wife.
riversmith.com
Riversmith - The leader in fishing gear transport solutions.
Riversmith is the #1 choice of fishing guides and outfitters. We build the best Car Rod Carrier, Truck Rod Carrier, Rooftop Rod Carrier, Raft Rod Carrier, Wader Bag, Waterproof Boat Bag, Travel Bag, Waterproof Duffel Bag, Hip Pack, and Rod and Reel Bag. Riversmith products are built to protect...
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Care to share some pics of this setup. Sounds similar to what I have done in the past. Also what you doing up front around the rear view mirror? Any interference with it?
Those look like some mighty rods you got there, I sense a salt water guy here haha
C6H12O6
SILVER Star
Trout rods are on the other side, and the spey rods hadn't been put in yet.
I use the LL Bean seat back organizer for my rods. It allows for 2 rods in half with reels attached to be stowed away. It also has tons of room for just about anything else you can think of. My waders and boots sit up in my Victory 4x4 attic rack and chest pack hangs from the Victory 4x4 3rd row window Molle panel. If I need to store my rods fully setup for transit, I literally put them on my windshield with the wipers holding them down. I know it sounds crazy as hell, but I saw it in a video from out west and they were running all over at 55+mph. My local stream doesn’t make me drive all over to hit my spots, but I have made it to 53mph with 2 full setups on the windshield. I think it was said above, rod vaults just advertise “expensive rods in here” and I have read countless stories of them being robbed fully loaded on FB groups.
My fishing rod case is made from a piece of PVC pipe painted black and attached to the roof rack with hose clamps. Pipe cap glued on one end and slip on on the back with wire holding in place. From a distance people think it's a roll up awning. Up close some think it's a "water tank for a shower". Very few think it's a fishing rod case. If you have delicate rods you do of course need some sort of inner rod sleeve. I put my surf rods in broken down, and my son's zebco rig in full length.
I lusted after a fly rod case, but I'm happy I never pulled the trigger on one for all the reasons already mentioned here. Breaking the rod in two lets it fit in the back seat just fine for short trips between spots. For longer drives, I'm happy to break the whole setup down.
I suppose if I was guiding and had to transport a vehicle full of guests and rods, tubes on the roof would make sense.
In the end, maybe a collapsible tenkara setup is what we all need.
I suppose if I was guiding and had to transport a vehicle full of guests and rods, tubes on the roof would make sense.
In the end, maybe a collapsible tenkara setup is what we all need.
Rooftop tubes are less necessary if it's just 1-2 people on a day trip and more useful if there are 3-4 people or the back of the car is filled with camping gear, luggage, etc.
I've done two kinds of fishing "tours": primitive trips where I camp from spot to spot, and civilized trips where I get a hotel each night. In both cases, it's kind of a pain to have loose rods inside the car when you also are transporting gear. It would take a ton of stress out of the equation and often save some time if I could just keep my rod in a rooftop tube where it's safe from luggage or camping gear. The home run would be one that also has a lock so I wouldn't have to worry about things if I stopped someplace for food. I guess I could also leave it in the tube overnight if I were at a hotel, but I probably would bring it inside anyway given the cost of a fly rod and reel. A lock would be nice camping as I've had buddies with camping gear stolen from their sites overnight (not rods).
I've done two kinds of fishing "tours": primitive trips where I camp from spot to spot, and civilized trips where I get a hotel each night. In both cases, it's kind of a pain to have loose rods inside the car when you also are transporting gear. It would take a ton of stress out of the equation and often save some time if I could just keep my rod in a rooftop tube where it's safe from luggage or camping gear. The home run would be one that also has a lock so I wouldn't have to worry about things if I stopped someplace for food. I guess I could also leave it in the tube overnight if I were at a hotel, but I probably would bring it inside anyway given the cost of a fly rod and reel. A lock would be nice camping as I've had buddies with camping gear stolen from their sites overnight (not rods).
- Thread starter
- #15
Thanks for all the replies and ideas. I've been eyeballing the grab handles and thinking about using a sewn climbers sling with loops to keep them separated for short trips. Then I found an amazon version for $13 that has velcro and adjusting buckles. It doesn't have great reviews, but for $13 I'll take a chance. I also saw the twisted bungee idea mentioned earlier. Pretty clever. I have kids and a dog, so keeping things completely out of the way is the only option unless I sneak out by myself, which is what prompted the rod box. I have a feeling I'll end up with a rod box eventually, but I'm going to give the amazon straps a try in the meantime. I did a little research and really like the Yakima version. It's the only version stores the reels on their sides taking the pressure off the guides. The strap image is from google pics.
Although I got my rod vault years ago, I’m sure there resale market hasn’t completely gone insane. I got mine on CL for 250$ which is way better than the 599$ new price tag. If you look around enough you might find a sweet deal!
I don't have the rods in the car currently. We've had really low water, and then temps in the teens. No fishing for me the last few weeks. It is very simple though, you'll get it within 30 seconds of grabbing some assorted bungees and putting them in the vehicle.
When I have more than one rod, I put a single twist in the rear bungee between the rods so they don't contact and it keeps them in place. I sometimes pop the visor out of the retainer and slide the rod tip above it with my shorter 3 and 4 weight rods that are around 8'-9'. The longer stuff I just run down the center of the windshield, they make it about half way to the dash and do not obstruct my vision at all.
I am over the winter, going to make some improvements to it by doing a single webbing strap across the rear, with either velcro loops or elastic loops to put rods in. I have found that on long washboard roads the rods can get to bouncing a bit on the bungee. This only seems to be a problem with more than two rods/reels as there needs to be a bit of weight on them to get a swing going.
When I have more than one rod, I put a single twist in the rear bungee between the rods so they don't contact and it keeps them in place. I sometimes pop the visor out of the retainer and slide the rod tip above it with my shorter 3 and 4 weight rods that are around 8'-9'. The longer stuff I just run down the center of the windshield, they make it about half way to the dash and do not obstruct my vision at all.
I am over the winter, going to make some improvements to it by doing a single webbing strap across the rear, with either velcro loops or elastic loops to put rods in. I have found that on long washboard roads the rods can get to bouncing a bit on the bungee. This only seems to be a problem with more than two rods/reels as there needs to be a bit of weight on them to get a swing going.
Made mine out of an ammo box, some pvc, and some fittings. Works great! I built it when I had a different vehicle with just a couple of crossbars so this is “upside down” compared with my initial build, but with the lower clearance my Sherpa rack has I had to mount it this way which is perfectly fine, it’s just the ammo can handle hangs a little goofy which I can live with. I like that it locks, and I like that I can arrive to the stream as well as move spots while keeping my rods fully rigged. Mounted it with some nite ize rubber twists.
Exiled
SILVER Star
That's a great setup!
