How To Store Fishing Rods (Creative Ways To Hold Up Rods)

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.

Maintain Original Performance
The efficacy of a fishing rod depends on its design. For example, certain poor storage conditions can weaken the rod blank or finish and impede their ability to function as they should. Leaning a rod against a wall, for instance, could impact the action of the rod in the tip section.
Prevent Rusting & Corrosion
Rust can spell disaster for the metal parts of a fishing rod. Line guides, reel seats, and rod tips that are made out of certain materials such as steel can rust, and aluminum ones can corrode if they make contact with water, humidity, or condensation. Cork and foam might also be damaged by contact with moisture.
Ease Of Access
When you want to grab your gear and hit the water, having to climb into the attic or walk around to the basement is a pain. If you aren’t able to keep your rods right by the door (join the club), there are still other places where you can store them so they’re ready for action in no time.
Protection From Animals
Most critters aren’t going to eat your fishing rods, but they could knock them over. In some cases, smaller pests like mice will chew on fishing line. They've also been known to take a bite out of EVA foam handles from time to time.
Make It Last Longer
Most importantly, the best fishing rods are a large investment. Anglers expect them to last long enough and work well enough to be worth that money. Storing a fishing rod incorrectly so that it gets damaged will shorten its lifespan. When you do buy a new fishing rod, it should be because you want to expand your arsenal rather than that you were forced to because your old one was stored improperly and gave out too soon.

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:

1
Take apart your rod (if possible) and clean it. Make sure it’s dry before storing it.
2
If there’s a chance water will get in, wrap your rods to prevent rust and corrosion on the metal and cork parts.
3
If 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.
4
If 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.

1
Drill into place two long pieces of wood parallel and even with one another.
2
Cover the space between with a piece of plywood, making sure everything is flush.
3
You 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.

1
Invest in a storage rack if you can’t fit your rods inside the car. Make sure it locks if security is a possible concern.
2
Alternatively, buy a telescoping fishing rod you can fit in the trunk.
3
Install the storage container in the bed of a truck or the luggage rack on top of a car.
4
Store 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:

Power drill
Screws
Rubber clips
Holders (PVC pipe, wire hooks, etc.)
Wood (if necessary)

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.

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.

How To Store Fishing Rods