DIY: fishing rod holder in trunk

[ty**20]

Even with a huge trunk i still want to have my rod in the back somewhere safe from being crush and moving around. Solution: make custom fishing rod holder. Time of completion: 10 minutes.

Tools

-fishing rod & reel
-block of foam cushion (not styrofoam)
-knife
-ruler
-bottle cap
-pen or sharpie
-3M double side tape (7/8" thick)
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Cut foam cushion block in to 2 small blocks. I cut mine to 3"widthX3.5"height long. Then trace the bottle cap on one of the foam block for the bottom of the pole and cut it out w/ the knife. Cut the whole not too big or too small, just to where it will snug in.
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It will look something like this. Then cut a little square at the side of the cutted-out circle so the top pole piece can be hold.
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Cut through the middle of the second small block and end it with a whole so the top part of the rod pieces so the piece can be snug in. I cutted a small triangular piece from the foam cushion and plugged it in the gap.
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Find these location in your trunk. They should lined along the trunk light metal brace.
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Final steps. Slap 3M double side tape on top of the foam cushion block, peal the other side and stick it to the metal where the arrows points to. 3M labeling said apply to surface on that is 60 degree and above. The weather was butt cold so I used a hair drier to warm up the metal for a few minutes. Then hair dried your freezing toes. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes so the tape can hold tight before putting the rod in. Pardon for the messy trunk.[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]
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It is up to you, you can use this side slot in the trunk for your secondary tackle box or just throw your entire tackle box at the back. For this DIY, I used a 6'6" 2-piece casting rod, I paired this rod with an Abu Gracia Ambassador Revo SX-L and this reel is the best there is. If you don't have one, you don't know what you're missing. This rod is for top water fishing only. I have a few rods to switch around. The place where I mounted on is only good for 7' rods and shorter. It will not fit anything longer, if so the rod will break and crush by the trunk hinges as you close the trunk. I kinda overestimated the height of the foam block. I thought the trigger of the rod would rub against the metal so I saved some slack for it. I then later trimmed the foam a bit to shorten the height. I drove it at highway speed and the rod holder is solid as a rock, zero noise. Can't wait for spring fishing.
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[DM616]

Good write up. Simple, although a bit weird seeing foam sticking out like that lol. This could good for an umbrella too.

[ty**20]

Originally Posted by DM616

Good write up. Simple, although a bit weird seeing foam sticking out like that lol. This could good for an umbrella too.

yeah i thought that too..at first i started out with some thinner foam cushion (from christmas packing) but they were too floppy and weren't strong enough..so i got these thicker and stable foam cushion (also from christmas packing) and were great..not worried since i won't show my trunk to crowds..

[bigbird]

this is good to have if you need to do some emergency fishing. you can turn the drivers side trunk well into a tackle bax as well.

i joke, but pretty cool idea. out of the way too.

[ty**20]

Originally Posted by bigbird

this is good to have if you need to do some emergency fishing. you can turn the drivers side trunk well into a tackle bax as well.

i joke, but pretty cool idea. out of the way too.

yep for emergency fishing or coming home from long day of working and you don't wanna go home to the nagging wife, then you can go relax and enjoy some top water action at your local lake or favorite fishing hole.