New FC4 Rod Rack

[SHigSpeed]

Just wanted to share... I updated my rod rack a bit to fix a problem with it blowing over onto me in the right wind (didn't lean out far enough to overcome the wind force if that makes sense...) and to update the rod receptacles.

Hope someone can use the ideas or get some inspiration from it!

OLD:



NEW:





Enjoy!

_SHig
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[albinotrout]

How did you do that pin type setup with your D rings?
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[peter805]

Very simple and clean. Looks good. Just a little too delicate to me. But then again I like to way over bild
things like if my fly rod holder was going to war or
something []
But really, it sure looks like that your fly rod holder
will do just fine. Maybe just put some safety cord on it
or something just in case .

Peter
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[SHigSpeed]

I used a band saw to notch the end of the tubes first (cut two small slits, scored the remaining plank between (on each side) and broke it out. Then drilled through for the pin.

I had some plastic pins lying around that did the job, but I think you can get creative. Maybe a carabiner? Chain link?

The thing about the plastic pin is with the right drill size, the pin squeezes down and the PVC also "gives" so it's a nice snug fit and I don't need backing hardware.

I think these would be the ultimate solution for this:

[url "http://www.mcmaster.com/#98416a211/=2wwqzn"]http://www.mcmaster.com/#98416a211/=2wwqzn[/url]

_SHig
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[flygoddess]

That's funny, I have about six of those on my Pontoon holding different things together.
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[SHigSpeed]

[quote peter805]Very simple and clean. Looks good. Just a little too delicate to me. But then again I like to way over bild
things like if my fly rod holder was going to war or
something []
But really, it sure looks like that your fly rod holder
will do just fine. Maybe just put some safety cord on it
or something just in case .

Peter[/quote]

Nothing really delicate about it. Four Spey rods and a gale wouldn't really stress it structurally. Not that you'd ever have that combo in a float tube! The only thing I'd really change is going to the clip pin.

Now if I'm finning backwards and clip a pier or something, something MAY give. [blush]

_SHig
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[peter805]

Yeah ,I know what you saying. Just let me ask you this-
What would you do or how would you like it if by any
chance , one day, for some reason the rod holder
comes off and you loose all your rods.

I Know that I would not like loosing $1000+ of fishing
stuff and thats why I make my stuff overkill.

But the choice is yours. I hope it works out for you.

Peter
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[Illinoisgiller]

I am impressed with this rod holder. It solves a couple issues I've been wanting to deal with. I like the single bottom support. (I think I do lol )
I also like your method for hooking up to the "D" rings.
I would doubt that I would lean it out quite as far but that is not a problem.
Thank you for posting this. Would there be a chance of a picture of it empty? I would be setting it up for spinning rods.
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[SHigSpeed]

[quote Illinoisgiller]I am impressed with this rod holder. It solves a couple issues I've been wanting to deal with. I like the single bottom support. (I think I do lol )
I also like your method for hooking up to the "D" rings.
I would doubt that I would lean it out quite as far but that is not a problem.
Thank you for posting this. Would there be a chance of a picture of it empty? I would be setting it up for spinning rods.[/quote]

Thanks for the comments. I lean it out for two reasons. 1: For fly casting with a cross-wind it helps keep the extra rods from getting tangled up. 2: For a crosswind in the other direction it keeps the rods from rocking over the top of me. Of course a tether to a bottom D-Ring would fix this, but that's one more connection I have to make right?

Here's a pic of a rod tube empty:



It'd be easy enough to make the black section longer to suit, or use a cross section of PVC instead of a tee so the butt can go through the bottom.

Also, here's a close-up of the groove-pin setup:



I WILL be ordering some of those safety hitch pins to replace these (however snug and suitable IMHO) plastic pins.

_SHig
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Looks good to me. I am probably the pioneer and innovator of PVC rod holders on float tubes, but I always enjoy seeing the creativity of others. It is evident that some thought and effort went into this new model. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Hope it works well for you and that it is something that others can benefit from.[/#0000ff]
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[SHigSpeed]

[quote peter805]Yeah ,I know what you saying. Just let me ask you this-
What would you do or how would you like it if by any
chance , one day, for some reason the rod holder
comes off and you loose all your rods.

I Know that I would not like loosing $1000+ of fishing
stuff and thats why I make my stuff overkill.

But the choice is yours. I hope it works out for you.

Peter[/quote]

Yeah, losing a full rack would suck!

I value all input so would you mind pointing out where you'd suggest beefing up the design? A safety tether would definitely work since I already have leashes for each rod so even if the thing goes in the drink, the rods stay with the rack. The net floats so that's not a problem.

Thanks!

_SHig
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[peter805]

Your rod holder is already made so dont worry about
beefing up at this point.
However safety tether anywhere where it would be
out of the way on separate "D" ring would be a plus.

Please dont get me wrong. I DO like your holder a lot
and I can see that you put a lot of work and thought
into it. I just dont want to see you loosing your stuff.
I droped a rod into lake once and let me tell you that
it really $ucks a lot.Thanx god it was not my g-loomis
or my bass sage rod.

Peter
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[flygoddess]

Shig...so great to see you back here and reporting GREAT stuff. I have said it before, I love how your head works.
Still have the Pontoon?

All this talk of Rod holders, I had to post a pix of mine:


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[peter805]

Hey, look at that, scotty village. Easy does it.[]

Peter
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[michaelnel]

[quote peter805]
I droped a rod into lake once and let me tell you that
it really $ucks a lot.[/quote]

This is veering off-topic, but that statement makes me HAVE to tell this story. I often hesistate to tell it because if someone told it to me I would think they were lying, but I swear it's true.

We were trolling for Albacore tuna on Monterey bay in my 19' center console boat. I had rigged nice security lines with QR clips on all the reels. We had a guy with us who had never fought an albacore, and my rule on my boat is that guy gets the first hookup.

We were trolling albacore jigs with large, hand sharpened (by me) double barbed hooks, so an albacore that hooked up was unlikely to get loose, especially with the 12 knot trolling speed and sometimes 25 knot fish speed.

So, one of the trolling rods went off. Nice gold Penn reel and an expensive roller rod. I told the guy to take it. He unhooked the safety line and then proceeded to fumble-throw the rod overboard.

Oh man... that was at least $500, overboard. I was pissed. But a few seconds later, one of the other rods went off. I told the guy to take it and PLEASE DON'T THROW THE ROD OVERBOARD.

He took it and commenced to fight the fish. It was hard going, but after 10 minutes or so we saw color.

GOLD.

He reeled it in closer, and we saw it was the FIRST ROD that had gone overboard. Somehow the second rod had hooked through one of the roller guide frames it as it went by. We got the first rod back onboard, and darn if the albacore wasn't still on it, a nice 45lb one.

He boated that too. Now you see why I hesitate to tell this story?

Now back to our regular float tube fishing lies.
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[flygoddess]

And each one has a TUBE mount, so they can multi task.
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[peter805]

What a story Michael !!! I was thinking about it for couple of minuts and yes it could happened.
Im very sure, that guy was very happy that he got your
rod and reel back to you.
If I lose my stuff-ok
If I lose someone alses stuff-Oh $hit NO good.


Peter
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[Illinoisgiller]

I'll study this more when I get time but right off the top of my sparsly haired head, I'm thinking a small patch of velcro at the bottom "T" on the "T" and mating patch on the tube.
I can't help but think that my 8 /12' spinning rods would try to tip in wind or rocking over rough terraine transporting.
I don't recall anyone ever glueing and -or sewing anything to a cover. I wouldn't have a problem with this at all.
You have me excited about this project. Those retaining bungies have done me well thanks to Tube Dude ,but would like to see them go. lol Illinoisgiller
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[flygoddess]

I have sewn Velcro to my SFC. The industrial Velcro. It is awesome! I sewed it on the back and then on the front of the Float Power Tube and it worked great!
Surprised more of you haven't used Velcro. I would definitely SEW it on, the glue melts in the sun.
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[SHigSpeed]

Sewing on Velcro is a great idea! Damn, wish I would've thought of it. Not as "clean" as matching magnets inside the skin and on the rack, but close!

_SHig
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