Are you in the market for a rod rack to store or transport your collection of fishing rods? Before you make a purchase, it's important to know what to look for in order to find the right rod rack for your needs. This article will provide you with important information on what to consider when buying a rod rack, so you can make an informed decision.
At LineKeeper we have done our homework and partnered with a local Oregon company that makes a very high quality rod rack, with parts produced by our sister company Rubber Resource right here in Portland. With its 360º degree swivel feature, both vertically and horizontally (pitch and yaw) it allows many different configurations. Feel free to check out the Six Rod Swivel Mounted Rod Rack available now with free shipping using the code "FREE35".
But if you're still trying to decide which rod rack is right for you, here are some important things to consider before deciding.
What's the difference between a Rod Holder and Rod Rack?
A rod holder is a device designed to hold a single fishing rod in a specific position or angle, usually with some sort of mount or clip. Rod holders are generally used on boats or kayaks.
A rod rack is a storage system designed to hold multiple fishing rods, either indoors or mounted to a vehicle or boat for safe storage during transport. It usually consists of vertical or horizontal bars where the rods can be securely stored, either standing up or lying down. Some, like ours, do both.
A rod rack is an important tool for any boat-based angler, as it provides easy access to all of your fishing rods onboard. It also helps to keep them organized and out of the way when not in use, making it easier to store and transport your rods.
What's it made of?
Obviously the materials used in outdoor equipment is very important.
Your options are...
Plastic, and we all know what that means.
While "powder-coated steel" might sound impressive in an online listing, it is a bad idea around salt-water. Steel is prone to rusting when exposed to moisture and rain. Rust can cause the equipment to become weakened and break down over time, leading to a shorter lifespan and potentially dangerous breakdowns. While stainless steel "resists" rusting and corrosion, it also adds a lot of weight and expense.
In our mind, aluminum is the clear winner. The rod rack we choose to offer is made from 6061 Aircraft grade aluminum, which is an alloy of aluminum, magnesium, and silicon. It is a heat treatable, corrosion-resistant alloy that is commonly used in aircraft construction, where strength and durability are important. It is one of the most popular alloys due to its light weight and strength. This makes it ideal for use in a rod rack, as it can withstand the wear and tear of regular use and prolonged exposure the elements, ensuring it will remain durable and reliable for many years. Additionally, its lightweight nature makes it easy to transport and install, which is especially important for a rod rack that needs to be moved around frequently.
Will it fit your mount?
Be sure to get the right rod rack to fit for your mounting base. The two common brands are Folbe/Fishon and Scotty. There is endless debate about which is "better" which is why our rod rack is available with the option to fit either.
If you don't currently have either mount on your boat or vehicle, you'll need one to mount whatever rack you choose.
A Folbe/Fishon mounting base is a versatile base that can attach most any rod accessory to a variety of surfaces including boats, kayaks, docks, trucks and more. You can read more about them at Folbe.com
A Scotty mounting base is designed specifically for Scotty brand rod holders and accessories. For more about them check out Scotty.com
How many rods?
There are literally hundreds of light weight single, double, even triple rod holders on the market (Scotty and Folbe both have great options if that's all you need). But for anglers who need to carry multiple rods with them on a fishing trip, and pros who cater to group expeditions, a "rod rack" is a must. Six seems to be the magic number for a multi-rack, allowing them to be stored safely and in an organized manner. Having a rod rack that holds six rods allows you to easily transport the rods and store them in an efficient manner when not in use without overloading and getting too unwieldy.
Where is it made?
Buying American-made products helps to support the American economy and create jobs at home. American-made products are often subject to higher standards of quality control and use more environmentally-friendly materials and processes. American companies are held to a higher standard of customer service. Additionally, buying American-made products helps to reduce the amount of money sent overseas to buy foreign-made products, and the impact on the environment resulting from packaging and transporting them around the globe.
We hope you found the information you were looking for and that it was helpful. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We appreciate your time and thank you for visiting LineKeeperUSA!