Fly Rod Transportation in Car - Fully Rigged?

[bboeri]

What methods have you found best to transport a fully rigged (or several fully rigged) fly rods in your car? Looking for some suggestions. I have a mid sized SUV.

Bob

[rhodyflyguy]

put the reels on the dash and rest the rods on the seats going back.

[tsheehy]

I have a Subaru Forester. I fold down the passenger side of the rear seat, then lay the reels in the back of the cargo area - the rods rest on the 'shoulder' of the front passenger seat with the tips against the windshield. Have carried up to 4 fly rods and/or 5 spin/boat rods without any problems.

-- Tom

[bboeri]

has anyone used a rod loft or equivalent?

[eponymous]

I have the rod loft and it works great. You just need to make sure it is properly secured. I have had the suction cups give and snapped my SLT 4 wt in half across the back headrest.

[JGH]

I got a simple "rack" from Cabelas (like $20) consisting of two nylon cloth strips with loops for rods. I secure the strips to the handles by the rear doors and the third row of seats. Works well on 9' fly rods in my SUV, though the tips bend a little at the windshiled. It's probably not as strong as a Rod Loft or similar "hard" rack, but it is easy to use and store in the vehicle when not in use. I also did not want something that had to be screwed into the interior, as some do.

[Pauper Piscator]

Buy one of those Double rod cases with reel pouch from Cabelas. Like $50. Single is fine too of course but get the double. (One floating one sinking rigged for example). MAKE SURE the case is long enough for your rod. 10'+ rods could be a problem but my 9'6" with fighting butt is not.

Remove fly but leave the rod strung/ Break in half and slide into tube.

Pull out, put together, tie on fly and you are "rigged'. Been using this system for years.

You can also bungee the case up by the roof. I did this for a long time up in the cap of my pick-up. Then later stuck through the trunk access "hole" in my altima.

Point is, works great and is 95% as quick and easy as "fully rigged" and 100% more "portable" and 100% more protected from bumps, bruises, dogs, kids, power windows, clumsy buddies and personal stupidity / carelessness.

Try it, you'll like it.

[houdini]

Seems to me there was just a post on this subject. http://reel-time.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50905&highlight=rod+loft

I went the Rod Loft route. I was totally dissatisfied. I had trouble keeping it in place and after alarmingly bending rods, gave it up as a bad bet.