Like any other piece of gear, it's vital to know the best way to store fishing rods so that they stay in good shape. Stored improperly, they can take up too much space and be at higher risk of falling and breaking.
Use this guide to learn how to store fishing rods, so they're always ready for the next trip. We'll also include a few creative ways to store fishing rods to make the most of whatever space you have available.
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The Importance Of Storing Fishing Rods Correctly
In a perfect world, anglers would have dedicated humidity-free rooms to store all their equipment. But that’s not realistic. Most people keep their fishing rods in a basement, garage, or storage shed.
Let’s be honest - a fishing rod between 7 and 14 feet long is not easy to find space for. The basement or garage might potentially expose your rod to extreme temperatures, humidity and dampness, or damage from other objects falling.
Storing the rod in a temperate, dry place will prevent it from warping so you won’t have to reinvest in new equipment for a longer time.

How To Store Fishing Rods (Proper Storage Technique)
On The Wall
In a garage, basement, or shed, you can install wall hooks or a rod holder and keep them on a wall. Follow these steps to get it done:
- 1Take apart your rod (if possible) and clean it. Make sure it’s dry before storing it.
- 2If there’s a chance water will get in, wrap your rods to prevent rust and corrosion on the metal and cork parts.
- 3If using hooks, install three or so a few feet apart. Put a few rods in place so that they’re supported. If using a holder, put the handle side down and make sure they aren’t leaning at all.
- 4If your rods are leaning or sagging, add more support with a well-placed hook or a fitted holder for an individual rod.
Hanging From The Ceiling
Perhaps the best way to keep your rods out of the way is to hang them from the ceiling. Just make sure there aren’t any ceiling fans nearby.
- 1Drill into place two long pieces of wood parallel and even with one another.
- 2Cover the space between with a piece of plywood, making sure everything is flush.
- 3You now have a space where you can slide in a few fishing poles.
If you want to have easier access to rods without pulling them out, you can also drill in individual rod holders or wire racks.
In Your Car Or Truck
Nothing says quick access like having your fishing rods stored in your vehicle. It also saves you space in the house. If you have a spare car or truck, this method is even easier.
- 1Invest in a storage rack if you can’t fit your rods inside the car. Make sure it locks if security is a possible concern.
- 2Alternatively, buy a telescoping fishing rod you can fit in the trunk.
- 3Install the storage container in the bed of a truck or the luggage rack on top of a car.
- 4Store your rods inside and lock them up when you can’t keep an eye on them.
Creative Fishing Rod Storage Ideas
Cabinet Storage
Nothing will keep your fishing rods better protected and out of the way better than dedicated rod cabinets. An added benefit is that many of them have space for gear like reels and tackle boxes as well.
Unless you’re a carpenter or furniture maker, you’ll probably have to buy these cabinets from a store. One possible disadvantage is that they won’t fit in spare space like racks and holders do.

Wire Shelving Rack
Quick access to rods without having to take them out is one big advantage of wire racks. They also fit pretty much anywhere, so if you have extra wall or ceiling space, you can put in a few of these wire hooks to convert it into fishing rod storage.
This method works just as well for people with a few fishing rods or professionals with a wide array of rods.
PVC Fishing Rod Holder
PVC holders usually have a dedicated place to hold a fishing rod by the handle, which means the rod will be held more securely in place. If you want to keep your rod somewhere where you can grab it quickly, these PVC holders are one of the best ways to do it.

Wall Rack
Wall racks are a cheaper alternative to full cabinets, and you still get the prefab benefits. Namely, that you don’t have to worry about making adjustments. You can just put your rods in and take them out.
Plus, because they aren’t as complicated as cabinets, people with a little bit of woodworking experience can probably fashion a DIY wall rack themselves.
Commercial Racks
For some anglers, only commercial racks will afford enough space. Competing in tournaments or running charters means you have to have rods of all kinds and plenty of backup rods in case one of the others fails. They’re expensive, but for anglers who make a living with their fishing gear, a commercial rack is essential.

Other Places
Car racks are great for weekend warriors who want to have their rods handy for surprise outings. Even if you can store a rod in the trunk, you want to keep it out of the sunlight, so a car rack or a case is best.
Some people also install O-rings in the ceiling in two rows across from each other, allowing the rod to fit snugly on each one.
How To Build A Fishing Rod Holder (DIY Tips)
Materials needed:
Ceiling Mount Fishing Rod Holder
To install a ceiling mount, you need to have your hooks perpendicular to the floor. The most common method is to arrange two rows of support hooks facing one another so you can put the rod through them.
Make sure you measure out lines and trace them first so you can make sure your rings or hooks are in line with one another. You can also use wood if you want to make things more secure.
Wall Mount Fishing Rod Holder
Wall rod storage can be either vertical or horizontal. If it’s horizontal, you just need a horizontal row of hooks. Make sure you have at least three and add a fourth or fifth if you’re storing even longer rods.
For vertical storage, you can use PVC holders or hooks. Install the bottom row first, and then place a rod in the holder so you can see where you need to put rubber hooks on the wall. These are meant to hold the top part of the rod, so they don't shift or fall.
For Your Car/Truck Rod Holder
One of the most creative ways to store fishing rods in your car is to tie a bungee cable between the coat hangers on each side. You should wind up with two parallel rows in the front and back of your car.
Use a loop bungee cord and twist the back one so it’s spiraled. You can put the rod handle into the twisted cable and leave the rod tip in the untwisted one to ensure it stays in place. It will also be along the roof of the car and out of view of the casual observer.
People also Ask (FAQs)
Can you store fishing rods outside the home?
You can store fishing rods in a garage or shed space detached from a house, but you still have to be conscious of temperature and humidity conditions. For many anglers, the biggest advantage of storing gear inside the house is that it will be protected by their home security systems.
How do you store a fishing rod in a backpack?
If you have a telescoping or two-piece rod, you can usually collapse it and fit it into one of the compartments or a side pocket. Backpackers should remove the reel first and leave it in an interior pocket to make the rod easier to carry and make sure the reel doesn’t fall out along the way. See more on fishing backpacks here
How do you protect a fishing rod tip?
Rod tip protectors are the best way to make sure your fishing rod tip won’t be damaged during transportation or storage. You can make DIY versions or purchase factory-made models that are crafted out of neoprene or a similar synthetic product.
What are the differences between storing 1 & 2-piece rods?
The biggest difference is that a multi-piece fishing rod will fit into a backpack, while a single-piece rod leaves you no choice but to take up extra space. The tradeoff is that you have to take a few extra steps when you clean a two-piece rod.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to store fishing rods, you’re more likely to be able to keep your gear in good shape for longer. It’ll save you money in the long run and help your living space from getting overrun with the biggest piece of your fishing gear.
Best of all, your fishing rods will stay in shape to fight some big fish and haul them out of the water.