How do you transport your fly rods?

[MCourtney]

After 4 days camping and bouncing around rough backroads fishing small streams I’m rethinking my current strategy.

Two assembled and rigged 9’-0” rods fit nicely in my Subaru wagon, with back seats folded down, the rod tips on the dashboard wrapped in a towel (or on this trip a hot pad holder from the camping kit) and the reel seat and reels laying on the roll-out cargo cover. An old towel or yoga mat on the cover keeps the rods in place and from sliding. This works well for smooth roads.

However, if we drive the washboard and potholed roads we encountered recently, or the cargo area is full of camping gear, or we have 4 passengers, my strategy has problems. Plus I always worry a sudden stop could snap the rod tips.

Guides we’ve fished with simply take the rods apart, still rigged, and place the rods out of harms way in their vehicles, on the dashboard or on top of gear in their vehicle. Simple, cheap. Some reassembly required.

I’ve seen the rooftop rod tubes. They look straightforward and simple. Pricy, but cheaper than repairing broken rod tips.

And here’s an in the car solution that looks interesting. Plus the rods are locked in your car. https://troutmount.com A friend who has an SUV has rigged his own version and he likes that.

So, what do you use? And I’d like feedback from you if you use a rooftop rod tube or the Trout Mount system.
Thanks

 

[tkww]

I've used the magnet rod holders many times (holder on the hood, holder on the roof), and don't have any real issues. Nice thing is you can move it vehicle to vehicle if needed. Good idea to clean the paint where the mounting points are going to be. Overall been fine on some pretty cruddy roads and fairly high speeds (at least 50 mph). The angle does put the rod tips up, which can possibly conflict with tree branches. But I've always been with vehicles that an inside-the-vehicle option wasn't possible.

 

[Scott Salzer]

I always transport them broken down and in rod tubes. These cases each have two tubes.

 

[RCF]

I used a rooftop carrier for awhile. Disliked it because it got in the way of loading/unloading the boat and/or stuff in the rooftop pod.

I could not use the Trout Mount. I am tall and have enough trouble getting head clearance as it is. Also not sure what would happen in a quick braking situation and the rods move.

I do have suction cup and magnetic rod holders for jumping between spots on the river. I am very careful to make sure they are attached to the vehicle and stay away from low hanging branches.

Like @Scott Salzer I much prefer to simply take the rods apart, still rigged, and place the rods in a rod tube. I have dual rod tubes that are 5' long. That way I can put my 2 piece and 4 piece rods in them. I disassemble the 4 piece rods into two pieces for quicker assembly/disassembly. Then place them out of harms way in my vehicle, Simple, cheap. I feel that is how they are bested protected and easiest/quickest way to get your gear. The 30 seconds for some disassembly/assembly required per rod is minimal knowing the rods are safe.

 

[Herkileez]

I usually transport my rods, fully rigged **, in cases that will allow transport in 2 pieces....doesn't matter if a 2-4 pce rod...a lot more convenient than a fixed rod rack system.
** There's little I enjoy less than arriving at a spot, then having to uncase each component (like Mr Bean opening his own Christmas presents) and assembling from scratch...while the hordes go thundering past me to my spot.

 

[Porter2]

I do not care for the rod reel magnet set on front hood and front windshield. Especially on certain roads where car in front of you can kick up small rocks. Always taking a chance?????

But they (rods and reels) may serve as a windshield crack blocker!

 

[_WW_]

 

[PhilR]

I have a forester. I run a bungee between the rear seat grab handles, and use a very short bungee to secure the reel end to the child seat tether anchor. A nine foot rod barely fits, but it’s also easy to break in half and store that way.

 

[Buzzy]

I usually transport my rods, fully rigged, in cases that will allow transport in 2 pieces....doesn't matter if a 2-4 pce rod...a lot more convenient than a fixed rod rack system.

I do the same

 

[dbaken]

I do the same
View attachment 122321

And same for me.

 

[troutstalker]

I transport mine broken down in rod tubes as well.

 

[Jacob Watrous]

I used to hang them from the four interior panic handles on straps I made as a $15 copy of the $100 ones online.

Worked great until my kids got taller, then I built a rod vault for my roof top because I couldn’t justify/afford one of the real ones.

 

[ffb]

When I'm running up and down the river/creek I carry mine fully rigged on ski racks, reel pointed forwards. I can fit 3-4 on these racks.

 

[clarkman]

rooftop rack here (partial to the Yakima one...currently have it half size so I have to break my rods down in half...perhaps I should install the second half on my tiny little Prius... --the Yakima one fits 4 rods & is damn nice). sometimes inside though if there's not too much stuff. Glass rods are pretty durable though.

 

[RCF]

When I'm running up and down the river/creek I carry mine fully rigged on ski racks, reel pointed forwards. I can fit 3-4 on these racks.

View attachment 122323

Have not seen or even thought about your setup. Thank you for sharing!

 

[ffb]

Have not seen or even thought about your setup. Thank you for sharing!

There's enough give in the racks that you can place the cork grip in the front rack and latch it and it is super secure. Not going to go anywhere. You might get bugs on your reel though

 

[clarkman]

There's enough give in the racks that you can place the cork grip in the front rack and latch it and it is super secure. Not going to go anywhere. You might get bugs on your reel though

Especially during heavy hatch situations...

I kinda wanna see a fishing report that illustrates as much. I'm all for it!

 

[RCF]

There's enough give in the racks that you can place the cork grip in the front rack and latch it and it is super secure. Not going to go anywhere. You might get bugs on your reel though

'Bug rash'...

 

[Matt B]

I just throw that shit in there in various ways depending on all kinds of things. I’ve done this for, well damn, decades. The one time it’s bit me in the ass is when I had tossed a 7’6” rod in the passenger seat well and ended up rolling up the drivers side rear window and snapping a few inches off the tip. When I’m on an extended camping and trout (single hand 9’ or less rods) trip I put the rods in from the back sitting on gear like the cooler and some towels and stuff and it’s never been a problem. I don’t typically fish high dollar gear and don’t really baby my fishing stuff, I just use it.

 

[Zak]

I usually transport my rods, fully rigged **, in cases that will allow transport in 2 pieces....doesn't matter if a 2-4 pce rod...a lot more convenient than a fixed rod rack system.
** There's little I enjoy less than arriving at a spot, then having to uncase each component (like Mr Bean opening his own Christmas presents) and assembling from scratch...while the hordes go thundering past me to my spot.

This is the way. I also have plastic mesh socks that fit my rods in two pieces, fully rigged, for going from spot to spot.