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Carrying rigged rods

3014 Views 13 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  Dom.five
Anyone do it with an Element?

I've taken some measurements, and it would appear that unless I've got the rod angled, consistently bent and the tiptop against the glass there's no way to carry an 8' or longer rod in this car.

And, despite what people say about graphite not taking a permanent bend, I don't like having it constantly angled. I also don't like letting the tiptop smack against the glass or rub the roof because I'd rather not mar it or crack the blank, so that means I just can't do it.

Unless someone's got a novel suggestion.

SporTube makes an external, top mount carrier for fully rigged rods up to 9' in length, but I've read its not the most rigid thing out there. Its also pricey at $200 for something that's a one trick pony, and they recommend a 4.5' crossbar spread, at minimum, to use. All of this leads me to think its not an answer.

There's no Yakima or Thule case that's 108" long (and if there was, I probably couldn't afford it). I've considered 2" PVC for a rod tube, but then I would need open it up somehow to hold the reel (and going to round PVC won't work, it would crack the rod). My other concern with PVC is back to smashing and marring the guides inside, but I suppose I could also construct a full length sock to sheath the rod, then insert it into the top.

Of course, this doesn't address 9' of PVC bending up and down with every bump, either.

So, whatcha got? Anything, or am I gonna have to suck it up and break 'em down every time?
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I wish I had pics of my first setup but here's my best attempt to describe it...

It was just like brwntrt's in that I had bungee cords between the child restraints in the back and across the rear passenger handles. I went to the hardware store and bought some of that foam pipe insulation you wrap around plumbing pipes. I cut it to fit the width of the bungee between the passenger seat handles. I then drilled a 1/4" hole through the foam just above halfway on the foam. I then took a razor blade and cut a slit in the top of the foam so the rod could slide in. This way the rod would rest just above the reel on the rear-most bungee and then "snap" into place on the foam and keep it from bouncing around. It worked great and kept my 9' fly rod in place though it did bend a little when it touched the windshield but no permanent damage. I love my G. Loomis :)
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