Question Rod holder design for tube

gkobes · 09-18-2009, 08:06 PM

cant seem to think of a design for a rod holder that i could attch to my tube. Anyone have a good idea?

ydoc · 09-18-2009, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gkobes

cant seem to think of a design for a rod holder that i could attch to my tube. Anyone have a good idea?

I have old Fishmaster tubes (the round doughnut style). Like the newer styled tubes, they have one "bulk" pocket on each side. They OFFERED both additional strap-on tackle boxes AND ROD HOLDERS.

I took their idea and made my own, larger strap-on tackle boxes...

The rod holders are (from memory) basically a PVC tube with an angled brace coupled to a wrap-around, adjustable strap.

I recently (at least since owning the Fishmaster's) acquired a Creek Company U-Boat. In looking at IT... and the Fishmaster accessories, I think they'd work with the newer styled tubes too!

I have a busy weekend (+ wife's birthday is tomorrow/Saturday), but will try to take some pictures for you some time this weekend.

**holdemplyer** · 09-19-2009, 08:01 AM

Fishing Forum : Float Tube Fishing: Pictures: Rod Holders

LiquidSteel · 09-20-2009, 07:24 AM

Here the one on my tube.

White River Fly Shop Rod Holder for Float Tubes and Pontoon Floats

ydoc · 09-20-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holdemplyer

Fishing Forum : Float Tube Fishing: Pictures: Rod Holders

THANKS FOR SHARING! I got a LOT of ideas from that link!!

Mine are like the ones in the second picture down. Unlike some of the extravagant ones, I usually only fish with one rod (two at the most), and just have a rod-holder MOSTLY to hold the rod while unhooking a fish, rigging tackle, etc.

Lotsa good ideas though... I LOVE what you can build/make with PVC!!!

ydoc · 09-24-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gkobes

cant seem to think of a design for a rod holder that i could attch to my tube. Anyone have a good idea?

OK... sorry for the delay; I FINALLY got the chance to take some pictures of my "tube-creations" AND FINALLY got them downloaded into my album. I'll post them here, but I also have them in my "ydoc" NEFGA (public) album for you (or anyone) to access in the future.

Fishmaster rod holder

It's basically a PVC pipe section, attached to a piece of aluminum strap material, fastened to an aluminum plate - using pop-rivets for the pieces AND the strapping material:

Again, very simplistic in design... but maybe these pictures will give you some ideas... (You can do miraculous stuff with PVC!

)

TACKLE-BOX

Here's the original Fishmaster "tackle-box" - keep in mind that this box is easily over 25 years old:

Note that there are two "levels". The top box has "long" dividers; good for worms, longer Rapala-type lures, etc. The bottom box has individual compartments - non-adjustable - for weights, hooks, jigs, etc. You can check out the inside layouts in my album.

Here's how the Fishmaster box attached to the tube (via straps). Note the simple rivet attachment of the straps:

So, I made my own box... using simple nylon strapping and buckles from the local craft store. Note the use of washers on the rivets to keep them from pulling through the plastic:

(Also note the holes I drilled into the top AND bottom to allow water to drain, and moisture to escape/evaporate when stored.)

Again, I'm sure there are BETTER options out there "nowadays", but hope that these might give you some ideas for your own rigging-options on your tube.

Now... go FISHING!!!

ydoc · 10-06-2009, 09:53 PM

Well, I FINALLY got a pair of waders (eBay), so what if they leak - a little...

Made my first trip out Monday mid-afternoon, in my old, trusty Fishmaster (round) bellyboat out for a spin. Caught LOTSA 8-10" bass at Youngman... yeah, small, but still had a ball!!

BUT, after Monday, I also remembered what I DISLIKED about the "doughnut-shaped" tubes...

1) Once you get your waders on, you then have to put on your fins BEFORE getting "in" the tube. (Otherwise, you'll never "find your feet" to get 'em on AFTER slipping on the tube.

2) Now you have your fins on... and have managed to get BOTH of your HUGE flippers through the half-hole, center of the tube... and have to pick up the tube and "waddle" to the water's edge... and try to get into the water without catching your fins on the weeds, shoreline, etc., trying NOT TO FALL-IN while trying to get in FAR ENOUGH to float... all compounded by having the tube around your hips/crotch.

3) Now repeat when you're trying to get OUT of the water!!!!

Anyway, once IN the water, I do like the round tubes... I can strap on all manner of "appliances", and I like having the tube "in front" of me to lay the rod on, rest my arms, etc.

I ALSO have a Creek Company "U-Tube", but I didn't take it out Monday 'cause I hadn't ever used it, and didn't have the time to figure out where to mount the rod/tackle boxes shown above. But Monday's adventure has gotten me trying to figure out how...

The reason I posted here, is because I don't know the type of tube the original poster has. If a round one (like the Fishmaster), the type of strap-on holders/boxes in my post above, will work. But, I've found out that the newer type(s) of float tubes don't have enough "free-tubing" to allow full-circle straps.

In the link provided by another in an earlier post, most of the PVC type holders hang on the "D-rings" on the sides. And most of them have the means to secure the BOTTOM of the rack to other d-rings... some place. And in that regard, I'd like to add another link that I found:

Float Tube Fishing In Ireland Lotsa good ideas there, too!!!

Due to the limited mounting/d-ring options on my tube, I'm planning on a simple open-styled PVC rod rack. It will look more like a picket-fence and the tubes will just slide down in to loops tied to the side d-rings.

From there, I'll try to find some way to ALSO hold the bottom snugly to the tube. This author used a bungee cord (note the slots at the bottom of the two middle tubes), but the Outcast model has some d-rings that mine doesn't.

I suspect that just the weight of the PVC and rod - hanging there - would be sufficient to "keep it" there, but I don't want it to "flop" around either.

I'll be sure to post what I come up with!!

09-18-2009, 08:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
gkobes gkobes is craving to catch a bass Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Elkhorn NE Posts: 23 Thanks: 33 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Rod holder design for tube cant seem to think of a design for a rod holder that i could attch to my tube. Anyone have a good idea?

09-19-2009, 08:01 AM	#3 (permalink)
holdemplyer holdemplyer is thinking kastmaster equals trout Director Join Date: May 2007 Location: hunting for Kenzies MA gill!!! Certified Youth Fishing Instructor NEFGA Line Recycling Volunteer Posts: 5,334 Thanks: 645 Thanked 960 Times in 632 Posts Blog Entries: 2	Fishing Forum : Float Tube Fishing: Pictures: Rod Holders __________________ I Reject Your Reality And Substitute My Own! Gone, but never forgotten.

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09-20-2009, 07:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
LiquidSteel LiquidSteel is learning about bow hunting Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 851 Thanks: 273 Thanked 39 Times in 27 Posts	Here the one on my tube. White River Fly Shop Rod Holder for Float Tubes and Pontoon Floats

10-06-2009, 09:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
ydoc ydoc has no status. Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 294 Thanks: 423 Thanked 79 Times in 57 Posts	Well, I FINALLY got a pair of waders (eBay), so what if they leak - a little... Made my first trip out Monday mid-afternoon, in my old, trusty Fishmaster (round) bellyboat out for a spin. Caught LOTSA 8-10" bass at Youngman... yeah, small, but still had a ball!! BUT, after Monday, I also remembered what I DISLIKED about the "doughnut-shaped" tubes... 1) Once you get your waders on, you then have to put on your fins BEFORE getting "in" the tube. (Otherwise, you'll never "find your feet" to get 'em on AFTER slipping on the tube. 2) Now you have your fins on... and have managed to get BOTH of your HUGE flippers through the half-hole, center of the tube... and have to pick up the tube and "waddle" to the water's edge... and try to get into the water without catching your fins on the weeds, shoreline, etc., trying NOT TO FALL-IN while trying to get in FAR ENOUGH to float... all compounded by having the tube around your hips/crotch. 3) Now repeat when you're trying to get OUT of the water!!!! Anyway, once IN the water, I do like the round tubes... I can strap on all manner of "appliances", and I like having the tube "in front" of me to lay the rod on, rest my arms, etc. I ALSO have a Creek Company "U-Tube", but I didn't take it out Monday 'cause I hadn't ever used it, and didn't have the time to figure out where to mount the rod/tackle boxes shown above. But Monday's adventure has gotten me trying to figure out how... The reason I posted here, is because I don't know the type of tube the original poster has. If a round one (like the Fishmaster), the type of strap-on holders/boxes in my post above, will work. But, I've found out that the newer type(s) of float tubes don't have enough "free-tubing" to allow full-circle straps. In the link provided by another in an earlier post, most of the PVC type holders hang on the "D-rings" on the sides. And most of them have the means to secure the BOTTOM of the rack to other d-rings... *some place.* And in that regard, I'd like to add another link that I found: Float Tube Fishing In Ireland Lotsa good ideas there, too!!! Due to the limited mounting/d-ring options on my tube, I'm planning on a simple open-styled PVC rod rack. It will look more like a picket-fence and the tubes will just slide down in to loops tied to the side d-rings. From there, I'll try to find some way to ALSO hold the bottom snugly to the tube. This author used a bungee cord (note the slots at the bottom of the two middle tubes), but the Outcast model has some d-rings that mine doesn't. I suspect that just the weight of the PVC and rod - hanging there - would be sufficient to "keep it" there, but I don't want it to "flop" around either. I'll be sure to post what I come up with!!