Fishing rod rack installation ideas

[obx2ack]

I'm thinking about putting a fishing rod rack on the front of my 87 GW with a factory bumber. They are mounted using a 2" front receiver or directly to the frame. I was wondering if there is any FSJ surf fishermen that has put one on or has pictures?

Here is a link with some examples of the rack.

http://www.rodrack.com/home.php?cat=250

I like the 2" receiver idea bc the rack can be taken off easily and the receiver could be used for other things.

I have some thoughts on how I would install it but figured I'd check you guys out for some thoughts. Thanks in advance...schoolies are coming!

[FSJ Guy]

What's wrong with good ol' PVC pipes?

I didn't know people SOLD racks. I thought everyone made their own.

[ROBDOG]

Everybody owns them around here. I had one mounted permanent on my CJ. We have 60 miles of beach to drive on with good fishing. I had a 2" receiver on the front of my old truck and it worked great with the Surf Mate Jr. If you mount one behind the vehicle it gets covered in sand, mud etc... and you can't keep an eye on your rods. I am sure I will have one in the near future. My waggy should be arriving around 8 this evening and the planning will begin. I also have a 5X8 trailer with a platform and rod holders on it. I pull it down the beach on the overnight trips. It puts my rods about 20' up in the air. It keeps most of the seaweed off the lines and allows cars to drive under. Not sure how you guys do it over there.

[loganvilledude]

Here is a link with some examples of the rack.

http://www.rodrack.com/home.php?cat=250

LOL are those rod holders or pipe organs?

[J.J.]

LOL are those rod holders or pipe organs?

Oh my, a pipe organ would rule!

[fulsizjeep]

this is my hi-tech rod holder from back in the 80s
http://jubileejeeps.org/history/sharkyears/my_76wag.jpg

[Joe Guilbeau]

Down here in Texas we get a lot of Sargassum floating in, and therefore the most useful racks are mounted above the tailgate rear window to allow a higher rod tip. This in turn allows for a steeper angle from rod tip to water surface, which results in less weeds hanging on line.

Will also allow one to park a bit off the surf and let vehicles pass under the lines if necessary, otherwise with incoming tides you might have to move several times to keep between the incoming surf zone and the vehicles traveling on the lower (wet sand) access.

Something to think about. They are removabe when driving.

[obx2ack]

I got to thinking, based on the pipe organ comment, that I would route my headers to the rack when I dont have the rods in. :D ... with glasspacks!

Anyway, I will def consider the height for baiting.

Sweet set up on the 80's pic. I'm jealous of the wagon. awesome pic!

I found a company from my hometown area in Wanchese, NC, Harbor Welding, that make the racks. I believe they actually fab up the ones that are some on the link and places like Cabelas.

My issue is installing it with the factory bumper. I was hoping for a quick bolt on project, but it seems I will have to break out the welder and fab something to mount a front receiver. What's new, huh? I'm looking at diff swoop type receivers that might work.

Worse case, I'll make one out of a 4x6 and pvc and keep it "reel"!

Once again, thanks for the help and I'll be sure to post a pic once its done, hopefully holding a trophy striper.

[obx2ack]

fulsizjeep,

the more I think about it, i may just mimic your old set up and keep the woodie theme going. I def like it. It would surely save the pocket.

i'll just have to figure out how to put a Mass plate on the front. :(

Is the wood bolted to the bumperette things?

Thank you for the picture.

[BrianAg95]

So does this mean you don't have to reel in the fish anymore? You just throw the truck in reverse and pull it out with your rig???? :rolleyes::D

You could bolt the wood to the fog light brackets (just above the bumperettes)

[djongeward]

Seriously, my sons and I have been talking about racks for some time for the waggy. We live and fish an area that has hundreds of miles of main and lateral canals, drops, gates, holes, etc. and lots of cats and big bass. The style this necessitates is driving down canal banks from spot to spot during any fishing outing and also necessitates taking rods in and out continually. My poor headliner shows the scars of many bass lure snags, not to mention the strain on the rear window opening and closing.

Any ideas for roof racks where you can take rods on and off and still hold on during the run to the next check or drop? Yesterday we covered about 5 miles in a section and between the two of us we got 15 bass and one large channel cat who likes skirted bass tubes. :D

[obx2ack]

I've used what I believe are ski racks on my roof to hold rods. They have a rubber padding and open on one side with a hinge on the other. They work great for two or three rods. The only pain is with a lift having to climb up and to get them. I'll try to get a link up later. They mount to the cross members of the roof rack.

[fulsizjeep]

fulsizjeep,

the more I think about it, i may just mimic your old set up and keep the woodie theme going. I def like it. It would surely save the pocket.

i'll just have to figure out how to put a Mass plate on the front. :(

Is the wood bolted to the bumperette things?

Thank you for the picture.

I took the rubber pads off the bumperettes and bolted the driftwood (poplar found on Padre Isl) right there. I forfget what i did about the plate, because TX required one. I think I had left it on the bumper behind the rod holder. :o Never had an issue with it as my DD.

Here is the same rod holder mounted to the roll bar on my J10 when the Waggy got sold. This set up was excellent for fishing right off the top of the truck. :thumbsup: The sargasso weed (http://www.bermuda-triangle.org/html/sargasso_sea.html)can be a pita indeed.
http://jubileejeeps.org/history/sharkyears/myj10.jpg

[djongeward]

I've used what I believe are ski racks on my roof to hold rods. They have a rubber padding and open on one side with a hinge on the other. They work great for two or three rods. The only pain is with a lift having to climb up and to get them. I'll try to get a link up later. They mount to the cross members of the roof rack.

Hmmm. Santa gave me some new surf racks for Christmas (real old school gutter mounts).

[obx2ack]

here is a link for the roof racks. I dont remember mine being that expensive though. I believe I paid around $50 for an off name brand, not thule.

http://www.striperonline.com/beach_buggy_stuff.htm

[TooRisky]

Huh ya learn something every day...Never knew about this, so its shore fishing in the ocean??

[djongeward]

I remember seeing riggs like this in Oceano/Pismo area as a kid. You can still run the beach there. Pull up, cast out, and sit back and listen to some tunes. That is soo cool. :cool:

[Saltyfeather]

Hmmm. Santa gave me some new surf racks for Christmas (real old school gutter mounts).
THULE has the ski racks shown and they sell the bar with gutter mounts. If you mount anything to the OEM racks they will not be as secure. The THULEs come off easy enough and can locked for security. I've been using them for years.