It's getting a little old having to break the rods down every time we want to drive to the next pool...

Looking for any advice/recommendations on brands/styles of car top carriers.

Thanks!

First off, I don't own a rod rack for my vehicle. I've thought about it too. But, here is my take.

I think a magnetic mount would be more secure however you have the risk of scratching the paint. However, that's a mute point if you're fishing in your Corvette.

I like the suction cup mount, and I think that would be the way to go. You can stick the mount on your hood and windshield. Handy if you drive a truck. I found this company that would interest me. I've been assured a number of times they won't fall off. However, I'm sure there are failures due to human error.

Sumo Rod Mount

Kinda simple and not the most elegant, but if you have cross bars or a roof rack of any sort, the wall mount Berkley rod holders work pretty well. Never had problems with this setup. Easy in, easy out. I put a bungy over the rods for longer hauls for some piece of mind.

Sam- Thanks for the info and link! How well do you think the suction cup mount style would do with, lets say, the rain and a wet hood?

Coley- I remember your rack system from when we were up north last year. That's a pretty slick system. Unfortunately, I do not have a roof rack on the truck, but If i did, I'd be all over that!

"system" is a pretty generous term

Good luck and let us know what you figger out.

Quick bit of advice about the suction models - don't. Dude doesn't want to break down his rod and gets his new/slick Sumo Rod Rack slapped on my truck for a day of fishing on the Clearwater last week.

This guy is a guide and very experienced with roof mounted rod racks.

5 minutes later his Saracione reel and expensive european spey rod (and my rig as well) lift off my roof and go flying down the highway on their own.

Mr Sumo user has now modified his rack with a "leash" that secures the suction mount to something under the hood. A good idea - if the suction fails at least your rods won't leave the top of your rig.

My old truck had Thule racks on the shell. Tape on some pipe insulation and add a few mini-bungees and you've got a much more reliable rod rack.

.02,

Brian

Thanks, Brian!

Nice fleet Coley. I need to sell my salt boat so I can afford a raft to complement my drift boat. Spend more time on the rivers than the salt and would like to feel a little safer with something self bailing.

Well, just had a bit of dumb luck... Guy on CL selling a brand new, never used, sumo rack... got it for 80.00

Heading out to give it a test.

I have always been leery about this. Probably not a big deal, but I was driving to work one day and saw a rig pulling a sled coming the opposite direction. The sled had the rods stored upright on the center console.

There were 4 rods all snapped in the exact same area, the driver didn't even know what happened. Don't know if he hit the height bar at McDonalds, or a branch smacked his rod, but he was headed for a bad morning.

Ouch...

Well, after a couple days running around using the sumo rack, it works perfectly!

Pretty solid system.

Those SUMO suction cups look similar to what commercial glazers use to move glass.
When applied properly they are stout.

It's nice that you can see the rods as you drive and it wouldn't be hard to make up a custom-length shock cord for added confidence.

Damn Tony, what's next? Shopping for ascots?

May I suggest a Simms boat wrap ?

Does my vintage KISW bandana count as an ascot?


If so, then....








































...no

anyone experiment this magnetic model?


http://www.sportube.com/pages/vac_rac.php

Saw that one... Looks kind of cheap, but looks can be deceiving.

I understand the reasons why anglers who use 12 – 15 foot (or longer) rods choose to use these things. I imagine that it would be a pain to break down your rod every time you move to a different run. This is especially true if one is using tape on their rod ferrules. Personally, I am not about to strap a set up that I paid $700.00 dollars for on the hood of my vehicle. I would not feel comfortable with doing so; but to each their own.

I'm probably just being ignorant, as per usual, but have never understood the added benefit in keeping any rod in one piece for an entire days fishing? (Even in the boat.)
Generally there is some sort of walking/hiking involved when jumping from one hole to the next, especially when/where driving is concerned. It is not an enjoyable experience to walk through wooded areas or particularly boulder strewn stretches of riverbank with rods in "ready position".
To temporarily break down and rubber band two sections together is a far better option than permanent breakage...
All show aside, spey and center pin rods alike are far too expensive investments to become lazily confident with...that's what ascots, tweed caps, waistcoats, and pipes are for.

Just my $800 worth.

The more aggressive you are, the more you are apt to leave your rod assembled.


Depends on where you are. Some streams are followed closely by the road and run jumping with the rig is the way.


Boulder strewn ? Nah. Dense understory, yes.


Try 4 sections.


It's a tool. You take your chances from within your comfort zone.