Ice Fishing Rod Storage?

[EricCO]

What's the best way to carry your ice fishing rods when out on the ice? Normally I just throw them in a 5 gallon bucket, but then I always need something off the bottom of the bucket.

Anybody ever try putting rod holders on the outside of the bucket?

[eyedoktr]

Small diameter pvc pipe with the groove cut in for the reel works well. Fasten them with small screws, washers and nuts. I have the same problem and happened to see a bucket set up like that last weekend. The one I saw had them spaced around the bucket. I think I'll put mine closer together so I can raise and lower the handle with rods in place.

[EricCO]

Would it tip over then with them all on one side?

[Skis]

I have a "thing" that came with the bucket I purchased a few years back. It is tied around the bucket and is full length of the bucket. It is made of nylon/cloth with elastic around the 6 openings. I use four of the openings and slip the rod and reels into and use another for my small amount of ice fishing tackle I have.

Can't think of the name off the top of my head, as you can tell, but it works great! I'll look at my bucket over dinner and let you know the name of the product.

[eyedoktr]

Eric, I thought about that and then realized that with the amount of crap (lures, pliers, scoop, etc.) that's also in the bucket, I don't think it's going to tip over.

[Jungle Jim]

I did the pvc pipe trick but I installed them around one side, on the outside of my bucket. This way I have full access to the stuff in my bucket. Be sure and secure the bucket when transporting it either in the car/ truck or on a sled because if the bucket falls over it can break your rod tips.

[Dave]

Croxton pond ice fishing bag.

Hands down the best solution I've found. Enough storage for everything you can imagine.

[JohnF]

I've seen this nylon "thing" at Sportsman's Warehouse. I bet Gaylan's has it too. I wouldn't make any bets on whether Gart Bros. has anything. (They always disappoint me...)

John

[fishnguy]

I bought a ice fishing chair from galyan's last year that has built in rod storage. It work's great for all of my smaller rod's.

[Peanut]

I have a buddy who just wraps a couple of bungee cords around the pail - one below the reel, another higher up. Seems to work reasonable well, and costs only a couple bucks. They hold tightly, but have enough elasticity to allow one rod to be pulled out from the bottom without unstrapping the cords and having them all fall out.

derrek.

"Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not.
In either case the idea is quite staggering"
- Arthur C. Clarke

[Backwater Eddy]

The PVC rod tubes works well.

I pop riveted it to the sides where the pail handle hooks up. I tossed the pail wire handle and use a rubber tarp strap instead, much easier on the hands and comes in handy at times to secure stuff.

We cut a grove for the reel stem to seat into on the side of the PVC (A friend with a router did mine). I added some velcro strapping from the local craft shop as a retainer. They hold tight with the velcro over the reel stem grove, so far I have not lost one, not yet anyway.

I mounted one left and right of the pail handle so I can snap on a pail seat with a bit of clearance to spare. I seldom carry more then 2 rods, adding more is a snap.

Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson...><sUMo>

"Backwater Guiding"

[The Great Guide]

I've got a large rod bag. I can get up to 6 rods plus the scoop in the bag. Both sides have storage for tackle and tools.

TGG

[spamoose]

i used the foam pipe insulation mounted it to the sides and just cut it to size holds the handles tight ,quiet,and light you could also hot glue them in place but i added screws for renforcement......Good Fishing spamoose

[Jim]

Eric: I have the same thing that Skis mentioned - I think? It is made by Frabil, it's yellow and like a vest with pockets and velcro tabs to hold things in place. It goes around the outside of a 5 gallon pail. Right now I have 5 ice rods/reels and 3 tips ups on the outside with extra line and sinkers in two small storage pockets. I use the inside of the pail to store small jig boxes, sonar unit, gaff, ice skimmer, gloves, etc. You can use a bungee cord to further secure the outside equipment if you wish. It costs around 16 bucks, but I think it works quite well.

Good Luck, Jim

[Skis]

Sounds a lot like mine. I know it's made by Frabil, but I don't have any velcro pocket on mine. Mine came with a bucket and I got it for Christmas a couple of years back. Love it!

[Bradnd]

I use "the keeper" for all my ice equipment. Holds 4 rods w/reels in the back, pole holders (homemade pvc) in the bottom, & tackle and other stuff under the seat. Everything is together, along with a comfortable chair. I ordered mine from Reeds a couple years ago. I did have to take a hole-saw bit & drill 4 holes on top since my poles were a couple inches taller than the holder. Works great! Very light-weight & strong. Have since bought 2 more for the family!

Take care,

Brad

[Joe]

Look at an arrow case, no not a quiver, an arrow case. Some will hold five or six rods safely and securely.

[Dave in walker]

Large Croxton Pond Rod Bag, couldn't be happier with it, keep 3 or 4 rods in it, tackle, gps, camera, very handy carrying straps and your ready to go.

[almosthaddabite]

When I first saw the Croxton Bag I wasn't sure about it so I "borrowed" my daughter's school bag (back pack type). This worked so good that when my wife got me the Croxton for Christmas I gave it to her and kept the school bag. Holds 4 rods, 2 tipups, scoop, GPS,2 small tackle boxes really everything. Has single sholder strap, backpack straps and handle, and it's not that big loaded. One thing maybe some of you wouldn't like is the rod tips stick out about 4" but this hasn't been a problem and it has had to ride in some ugly spots. Also it lays down in the trap so when I put the cover on, no problem.

[Big Laker]

I've been thinking of getting this bag but would like more information. How long is the bag? is there something to hold the rods in place within the bag? Is it available from retailers or only online?
thanks

[oldbullhauler]

Big Laker,
I just measured my Croxton Pond bag, about 34" x 8". There are some velcro straps inside for the rods. I've only seen them online. I really like mine and have put a ton of gear in it without any problems.

[Big Laker]

oldbullhauler,
thanks for the information.
though given your handle, I do have to wonder if your feeding me a line of bull?

[oldbullhauler]

no line, I used to be a livestock relocation specialist, thus the handle!

[REW]

I have made several of the 6 gallon buckets, with pvc pipes to hold the rods. I use an 1 1/2 inch pipe, and use a 1/2 inch router, to cut a groove a few inches long in one side, to hold the reel base. The first ones, were rivited to the inside of the bucket. It works well to protect the rods, but leaves little room for storage.

Then I made a bunch, where I rivited the holders on the outside of the bucket. I can put about a dozen holders on the outer diameter of a 6 gallon bucket, and have the interior open for all of the stuff that you take.

However, one thing that I didn't like about a bucket, was that the bucket was round. Most of the bait boxes, and other things that I put in the bucket were square or rectangular.

I then found some fiberglass wastebaskets at an industrial surplus store that worked very well. It turns out that the length of these waste baskets were the exact length of a Berkley 6 rod vertical rod rack. Thus I bolted a 6 rod vertical rod rack to each side of the waste basket. This allow me to hold 10 rods, with a space for the ice scoop and another for any other pipe or rod that needs storing.
The inside is wide open for storage of any plany or other brand plastic lure boxes. For a handle, I used an aluminum tent pole, that was lying in the garage attic. I measured the length of the bucket, and then cut the pipe about 12 inches longer. I used a hammer to smash the last 6 inches of each end of the pipe flat. I then drilled a 1/4 inch hole in the end of each flattened of the pipe. Finally I bent the ends of the pipe to 90 degrees of the pipe - forming a u shaped handle. I then bolted the handle on the top of the wast paper basket. I insured that the positioning of the handle allowed the basket to be level, and that the length of the u of the handle allowed the handle to just lay flat on the top of the basket. This way the handle never interferes with the rods.

finally, if transporting the rods in high vibration - like a snow mobile, I use a single nylon strap, with a qwick release buckle to secure the rods to the holder. When fishing, I simply let the strap lay on the inside of the box, and then restrap the rods, before taking off again.

These particular baskets were made from fiberglass, so they are tough, are resistant to heat, cold, and vibration, and from the surplus store - very cheap.

If you aren't likely to carry more than 4 or so rods, plus a spoon - one holder on one side of the basket will sffice, and make the basket easier to carry.

take care
REW

[Chad]

My buddie uses a hard sided shot gun case. I believe it is the one called the glider. It opens from the top and not the kind you lay on its side and then open.