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Cermele: Turn Your Pick-Up Into a Fishing Machine
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November 04, 2009
Cermele: Turn Your Pick-Up Into a Fishing Machine
So I’ve recently become a pick-up truck owner. I've only had SUVs in the past, but given the nature of my hobbies, I finally decided that a pick-up was more practical in many ways. I only had one problem: I couldn’t stand laying rods in the bed with them hanging over the tailgate. I’ve just seen too many sticks get snapped or lose guides that way. So I began to tinker.
Not many pick-ups have roof racks, but Thule makes crossbars and ski holders for just about every vehicle under the sun. I can hold (and lock) seven rods on my roof, and I use this primarily for freshwater outfits and fly rods. But is that enough rod storage? Heavens no. I also splurged on a custom 7-rod rocket launcher that clamps into the bed made by a local aluminum welder. Each tube even has a removable pin that allows me to schlep offshore rods with gimbal-lock butts without them swinging. That’s 14 rods total I can tote anywhere without a single one lying in the bed.
My last SUV was leased, and I learned the hard way that dealerships don’t take kindly to rugs full of sand and river mud. Since I own the new truck, a set of WeatherTech mats became priority. Now there’s nothing my waders can track in that a hose can’t blast out (vacuum sand all you want, you never get it all). To keep my coolers and boxes in place, I also picked up a cheap ratcheting cargo bar for the bed. This in and of itself is unexciting. But the little holes that the ratchet’s cog grab make excellent lure hangers.
Perhaps I’ve gone overboard, but I’ve seen plenty of tricks and projects online regarding pick-ups and fishing. There’s lots of PVC, milk crates, and two-by-fours involved. Have you rigged your ride for fishing in any way? I’d love to hear about some of your modifications. – JC
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Comments (13)
I simply open my back slider window and let them all hang out. For long trips the bazooka tube does the trick.
On a sad note. My 1997 F150, the love of my life, is in the hospital (shop) getting a new heart (motor) installed. It's been a week without a truck and I'm dying. JC. Once you go with a p/u there's no turning back.
I built a platform in the bed of my p/u with 4 removable pannels that lay flat when in place but can be easily removed to gain acess to the storage space underneath.
I used 2x4's as the frame that the 1/2 " plywood pannels rest on. I attached pvc tubes on the under side of the
2x4's the length of the box-- 6.5 ft. I slide my rods into these and have easy acess once I let the tailgate down. I designed it so I can leave the reels on the rods-- the pvc tubes are recessed about a foot shorter then the box length on the tailgate end.
I have a lockable Fibreglass cap on the box. The rods and other things are stored under the pannels-- secure and out of sight. I can store more stuff on top of my platform and even sleep there if I choose. This is a cheap and easy project that requires minimal skill and materials.
To buckhunter- Sorry about your "baby" I just got a 2001 4x4 (teal color) on the day Teal season started here in Ark. !
I just put it all in the back and GO !
I just bought a new GMC (love the 72 mo 0%) I keep trying to convince my wife that floor mats and seat covers are a necesitty so it shouldn't come out of my fishing fund. :)
Can't own a truck yet. I will get a ford 150 or 250 withing the next 2 years. For now, my bike is my truck, and I can put 3 rods on it, and carry all my gear in a bag on my back.
Back in mid80's,an article in F&S mag.displays a roof rack for rods (even the large ones) this is a good example to mantain this tools organized in the truck bed.
yeah alex! i got the same thing goin for me too
dont forget a couple 5 gallon buckets, u can hang plugs on the lip to dry, sit on it, use it for beer or your catch, and a bazillion other things
BigO,
Get your butt to Ohio so we can do some hunt'n. Steve182 and I are hooking up in the morning in a place I saw a nice buck today. Wish us luck.
I drive a 97 4Runner right now and i beleive the truck in the pics is a Tacoma. Im hopin to get one of those by spring. My brother turns 16 in April and i think he will get my 4Runner. Can't wait on that truck
I did one $2 mod that has made me much happier with my old explorer for my outdoor pursuits. I sunk two hookeyes into the upper window molding in the back and strung wires about 3" below the ceiling there and across the grab handles in the back seat. They allow me to keep 5 7' rods overhead between the driver and passenger without annoying either and can hold well over a dozen if they're shorter or you don't mind mono tickling your hair. Has since been used for paddles, oars, and nets as well. Only gripe is I originally super glued washers every few inches on the wire as stops to keep the rods from sliding and tangling. They all eventually sheared out of place. Going to pull the insulated wire down and tie knots in it instead and re string.
ive always thought about putting a rod holder in the bottom of my truck bed but never done still think i should.
having a pick up i still lay my rods in the back along with the rest of my coolers and tackle boxes but the groves in the back of the truck hold the rods in place and a couple of bungee cords keep buckets takle boxes and coolers from rolling over my rods
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Can't own a truck yet. I will get a ford 150 or 250 withing the next 2 years. For now, my bike is my truck, and I can put 3 rods on it, and carry all my gear in a bag on my back.
I built a platform in the bed of my p/u with 4 removable pannels that lay flat when in place but can be easily removed to gain acess to the storage space underneath.
I used 2x4's as the frame that the 1/2 " plywood pannels rest on. I attached pvc tubes on the under side of the
2x4's the length of the box-- 6.5 ft. I slide my rods into these and have easy acess once I let the tailgate down. I designed it so I can leave the reels on the rods-- the pvc tubes are recessed about a foot shorter then the box length on the tailgate end.
I have a lockable Fibreglass cap on the box. The rods and other things are stored under the pannels-- secure and out of sight. I can store more stuff on top of my platform and even sleep there if I choose. This is a cheap and easy project that requires minimal skill and materials.
I simply open my back slider window and let them all hang out. For long trips the bazooka tube does the trick.
On a sad note. My 1997 F150, the love of my life, is in the hospital (shop) getting a new heart (motor) installed. It's been a week without a truck and I'm dying. JC. Once you go with a p/u there's no turning back.
To buckhunter- Sorry about your "baby" I just got a 2001 4x4 (teal color) on the day Teal season started here in Ark. !
I just put it all in the back and GO !
I just bought a new GMC (love the 72 mo 0%) I keep trying to convince my wife that floor mats and seat covers are a necesitty so it shouldn't come out of my fishing fund. :)
Back in mid80's,an article in F&S mag.displays a roof rack for rods (even the large ones) this is a good example to mantain this tools organized in the truck bed.
yeah alex! i got the same thing goin for me too
dont forget a couple 5 gallon buckets, u can hang plugs on the lip to dry, sit on it, use it for beer or your catch, and a bazillion other things
BigO,
Get your butt to Ohio so we can do some hunt'n. Steve182 and I are hooking up in the morning in a place I saw a nice buck today. Wish us luck.
I drive a 97 4Runner right now and i beleive the truck in the pics is a Tacoma. Im hopin to get one of those by spring. My brother turns 16 in April and i think he will get my 4Runner. Can't wait on that truck
ive always thought about putting a rod holder in the bottom of my truck bed but never done still think i should.
I did one $2 mod that has made me much happier with my old explorer for my outdoor pursuits. I sunk two hookeyes into the upper window molding in the back and strung wires about 3" below the ceiling there and across the grab handles in the back seat. They allow me to keep 5 7' rods overhead between the driver and passenger without annoying either and can hold well over a dozen if they're shorter or you don't mind mono tickling your hair. Has since been used for paddles, oars, and nets as well. Only gripe is I originally super glued washers every few inches on the wire as stops to keep the rods from sliding and tangling. They all eventually sheared out of place. Going to pull the insulated wire down and tie knots in it instead and re string.
having a pick up i still lay my rods in the back along with the rest of my coolers and tackle boxes but the groves in the back of the truck hold the rods in place and a couple of bungee cords keep buckets takle boxes and coolers from rolling over my rods
Post a Comment