Competition in the fishing world has triggered an increase in catching big fish. Rods as long as eight to twelve feet have become a minimum for specific fishing adventures. With the need for longer rods comes the importance of storage and transportation to and from your fishing site.
Below is an overview of fishing rod racks and holders for vehicles.
Difference Between Holders and Racks
I realized holders and racks are entirely different. I had to look into the differences to ensure I got the right type for my fishing expedition. Fishing rod holders for cars and boats are designed with a hollow tube that holds your fishing pole upright. Racks allow you to place your rods on top or inside your car.
Types of Fishing Rod Racks
Most fishing rods for trucks, cars, or RVs come in two types, usually secured with a strap or clamp. These include:
Open Racks
This type of rack comes with an open configuration. Open racks are an excellent option to hold your rods during transit. Open racks come with hooks or clamps that prevent the rods from bumping into each other, but they don’t protect them from the elements. They are available in various mounting locations, with the most popular designs on your vehicle roof.
Various types come with an ingenious way of safely storing your rods inside your vehicle. This type of rack comes in varying forms, storing the rods against the roof and across the seats.
With the first type, one piece of the rod holder is attached above the front seats while the other can mount above the passenger seats. The other type is attached at the back of the driver and co-driver seats and is most suitable for shorter fishing rods. These two types come with an adjustable feature making them ideal for all vehicles.
Another simpler type allows you to store your rods between the front and back row seats so that they stay between the passengers.
This type, however, adversely affects your vehicle’s space and can potentially make your passengers uncomfortable during the journey. However, they are safer than those mounted on top of the vehicle when theft factors are considered. If you have a bigger car like an SUV or RV, they are the go-to option.
Enclosed Racks
This type of fishing rod rack for RV, car, or truck works similarly to the open rack but comes with separate compartments. Although this type is more expensive than its open counterpart, it provides your rods with protection from the weather. They also keep your rods safe from theft compared to open racks. They typically mount directly on the roof of a vehicle or boat.
Despite their type, fishing rod racks for vehicles can simultaneously hold anywhere from one to multiple rods.
Types of Fishing Rod Holders for Cars and Boats
There are three different fishing rod holders for boats and cars that match your specific needs, and it’s essential to know each type to get the best style.
Flush Mounted Rod Holders
For hardcore anglers, flush-mounted rod holders are the best option. This type of rod holder is designed for installation on boats and is mainly made of high-quality steel to make them durable. They can be installed anywhere on the gunwale to provide plenty of fishing options. Flush-mounted holders can mount on vehicles, trucks, RVs, or the boat itself for storage or transportation purposes.
Flush Mounted fishing rod holders for a boat are the most preferred by most anglers, and for a good reason. They stay out of the way until you need them and are strong enough to keep your expensive rods safe when fishing or even during boat rides.
Clamp-on Rod Holders
This type of holder provides a substantial removable fishing rod storage without the need to drill into your boat or vehicle. You can clamp it onto the rail of your boat or bumper bar on your vehicle. Given that it’s strong and removable, you can remove it from your vehicle and mount it to your boat or vice versa. I recommend this style for a casual fishing expedition or small game fishing.
Removable Fishing Rod Holders
This type of holder comes with a sliding design to slide them in and out of place. They are the best option for occasional anglers.
Also, fishing rod holders, whether for boats, trucks, RVs, or cars, are available in sets that can hold multiple fishing rods.
Fishing rod holders are ideal for short journeys and with low speeds. If you are driving for far distances or out of state, racks are your best option.
Fishing Rod Holders and Racks Mounting Systems
While looking for the best buy for my need, I realized that fishing rods and holders have different mounting systems. Each of them is designed for different types of vehicles and comes with its benefits.
Magnetic Mounting
Magnetic Racks and holders can connect directly to metallic vehicle bodies. However, they don’t work on cars, boats, or RVs made of aluminum or fiberglass. Magnetic rods and holders fit on any car or truck without a roof rack. They are also easy to install as no tools are required. You don’t have to worry if you have a sunroof as they aren’t large enough to cover it.
Vacuum Cups
Unlike their magnetic counterparts, rods and holders fitted with vacuum cups are ideal for aluminum and fiberglass vehicles. This type is also simple to mount.
Most mounting systems have an easy assembly process of most racks is very simple and don’t require drilling, which protects your car roof rack structure from damage.
What to Look for in Fishing Rod Storage Racks
Many fishing rod holders and racks are available in the market, and most manufacturers are increasingly developing these products to satisfy their clients’ unique needs. You have to look for a practical rack that will suit your needs. It would help to keep in mind that every manufacturer’s goal is to sell their products, meaning that they will glorify them with enticing features that they may not even have.
Look out for the following three key features when looking for the right product.
Size and Capacity
The size and capacity of your fishing rod holder and racks depend on the size of your vehicle and fishing needs. As such, it’s best to check on the size before considering any other features. Ideally, if you have a set of small fishing rods, you should go for a smaller storage rack. I have a large rack since I use large fishing rods, with the shortest one stretching eight feet.
Some people in my fishing crew opt for large storage racks since they help us store more equipment during the fishing trip. This allows us to carry everything we need you to need without having to stack them. Larger racks also make organization easy and help us get our equipment out quickly during fishing. It also makes storage easier, which is important, especially after an exhausting fishing adventure.
Water Resistance
During transit, you may encounter rain or even have water spilled on your vehicle. As such, it’s best to consider water-resistant products to protect your fishing rods. Also, catching fish means you end up in the water with your equipment, meaning that water-resistant features will go a long way in maintaining the durability of your items. Saltwater in most lakes and oceans can also spell doom to your fishing rods and carriers.
Weight and Versatility
Given that I travel quite far to get to my best fishing spots, I found the need to get lightweight racks and holders to minimize the weight of my vehicle. You also need lightweight fishing racks and holders, especially if you don’t plan to keep them on your vehicle for long. Light racks are easier to lift and install than their bulkier counterparts.
However, ensure that your need for lightweight material doesn’t compromise strength and durability. Bulky storage can also be quite overwhelming, especially when moving to your boat and back to the car.
Type of Vehicle
When shopping, you will realize that some racks and holders are designed for specific cars types, while others will fit almost every kind of vehicle. To get the right style for your car, consider the width and length before buying. Others are great for vehicles with roof racks or bull bars. Also, consider the proper mounting method, lest you end up with a rack that you can’t use.
Also, if you go for interior mounted racks, think about the space of your vehicle. If you have enough overhead room, go for roof-mounted racks. If you don’t, exterior roof racks are your best option.
Top Fishing Rod Holders and Racks Manufacturers
While there are hundreds of fishing rod manufacturers, most customers on Amazon seem to be satisfied with the following brands.
Thule Manufacturer
Established in 1942, Thule is among the most experienced fishing rod racks and holder manufacturers. Thule manufactures its products from heavy-duty materials, so it can withstand the harsh handling, elements, and the wear and tear of traveling. Their products also have a padded interior to ensure that your rods remain protected from possible damage.
Some Thule fishing rod carriers also come with a built-in rod tube, facilitating easy storage of your rods after fishing. Their fly rod tubes also come with polypropylene lining, which comes in handy in preventing scratches during transit.
Thule Rod Carriers boast an adjustable hold-down arm that ensures that it will not budge or vibrate even at high speeds once installed on your car’s roof rack. Their products are also compatible with Thule accessories, allowing you to add additional locking mechanisms that will secure this carrier to your vehicle’s roof rack. Thule offers the rod carriers in a two-rod and four-rod model, but other fishing rod carriers can host more than that.
River Quiver
The River Quiver fishing rod manufacturers base themselves in Canada. They make their products from high tensile materials like aluminum and heavy-duty powder-coated steel, preventing rust or corrosion.
“I’ve been wanting one of these for years. I snapped two fly rods inside my 4Runner on one hot day this summer so I decided to pony up the money to get the 4-Banger so it won’t happen again. So glad I did. Installation took about an hour. It would have been less had I purchased the ratchet offered by RiverSmith. (Do yourself a HUGE favor and buy the ratchet).”
A customer on Amazon:
Their products are also strong enough to sustain heavy loads up to 300kgs. Most of their products are also known for being shockproof and withstanding high winds, thanks to their aerodynamic and noiseless, assembled in Boulder, CO.
Happy Fishing & Tight Lines
