Need Ideas on How to Transport Rods and Reels with Camper Shell-- Creativity Needed!

As the title states, I need some ideas on how I could transport my fishing poles- maybe 4 at a time. I have a shell with Yakima racks, and am trying to come up with a way to transport them to and from places.

Ultimately Id like a way to protect them from the elements, maybe in PVC, but the issue is with the reels. It would take a huge PVC pipe for that. I like this idea that @Crom has that he puts tent poles in. Its made of PVC with cap. However, to get a reel in there, would have to be at least a 6" pipe and not sure thats what I need.


Id like some help with some engineering here.

 

I'm thinking of getting a cap on my Taco and have the same problem. I thought of opening the rear window and sliding it through. I dont want to take reels on and off.

 

why not create a rod holder and connect it into your hitch?

 

That could work for short trips, but what about longer trips? Rain? Cold?

That could work, but most of the time, Im hauling my pop up camper or bike rack that goes in the hitch. This is why I wanted to design something for the roof rack.

 

ahh i see..

 

What are thoughts on something like the below? It would sit horizontal, attached to the rear crossbar. In the front have something very similar or even the same thing to put the fronts of the rods in? Then have some bungees that hold them in?

 

If this company was still in business id be all over it! been trying to find someone who sold this for some time!

http://www.orsracksdirect.com/inno-fishing-rod-racks.html

 

I have a cap with a Yakima rack. What I did was through bolt an aluminum channel near the cab and a tube near the back of the cap. Bolted pvc tube to the tubes and slipped a plastic tube over the aluminum tube at the back. Rods slip into the tube and then I use cable management Velcro to attach the rod handle to the tube. Very secure and hides the rods a little.


Detail of the through bolt.

 

@1x1 What about the length? I assume that they all fit with the hatch shut?

 

Pricey but definitely easy and secure, you could get ski rack clamps for the bars. Ive used them for a longtime with freshwater and surf rods without any issue.

 

I like this idea. Do the ski clamps lock?

 

Yes. I have the Thule ones which have keyed alike locks. Yet I've lost my key years ago

 

The rear tube is 6" or so in front of the hatch. I can fit rods up to 6' long, just about all of my rods are multi-piece so it works for me.

 

I have straps that attach to the ceiling of my topper and hang my rods on them, bought at Cabela's. Fairly cheap.
I use 7' med. heavy one piece rods with my baitcasters so they go diagonally.
Best part is with the rods suspended from the roof I can pack the bed all I want.

 

DEFINITELY +1 on the ski racks......... i scored mine used on Amazon.
been using them for 4 years now. i have the 2 board, 3 pair of skis, rack, and it is absolutely invaluable.

only thing i did differently, was added some 2 1/2 spacers to the feet so my reels clear the roof line.
this is before i added the spacers, but you can see how many with out the reel you can fit on the roof. i will be getting another pair, to put on the other side.

(yes i love my tica's)