Thread: length of surf rod holders?

How long should they be? Using 2inch diameter. Thanks for any help..

I go with a 3inch some rods wont fit and about 3ft long

2" should be fine schedule 40 2" has a interior diameter of about 1.75" not to many surf rods have a larger diameter than that... as for length check out some of images from ChileRelleno and his posts here
View Profile: ChileRelleno - Gulf Shores Pier Fishing Forum
http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...-30-13-a-7454/

from some of his images the posts look to be ~ 5'-6'

just check your butt caps..i got a 14ft surf rod that wont fit 5-6ft rod holders LMAO

Minimum of 3 foot (longer if you plan to use them IN the water)

2" diameter is Ok for light rods, but some larger rods will be tight even in 2 1/2" pipe.

And I like thinner walled PVC pipe (like SDR 41 or even SDR 32.5) as it is MUCH lighter than the Schedule 40 or 80

I would go at least 4'-5' long and minimum 2" ID.



As you can see in the linked pic, I like the aluminum 'Mustad deluxe sand rod holders'.
They are tough, light and last a long time, they accept all my surf rods and they have a 2" ID and are 40" long.
I wouldn't mind if they were another foot or two longer.



I know some people on this forum who do have 6' pvc rod holders.
They like them tall to help keep the line above the surf and out of weed.
Dutch uses 5'L x 1.5"ID pvc.

As you can see there is quite a difference when in use.

If the surf is ankle-slapping, 3' is ok. However, I've also seen the winter surf considerably higher, and 5' would not be unreasonable. It never hurts to be too long, but it does to be too short. You can also drive the longer ones deeper so a fast hit and run by a bull doesn't tip over and let the rod be dragged into the depths if your drag is too tight.

Making your rod from PVC be careful to flare or sand or cover the top and inside top edge, or there will be abrasion on reel stem and rod handles as you scrape it going in and out, especially pulled tight by a red. (The reason commercial plastic holders have a stainless bolt through about 18" down is to prevent the reel stem scraping on the top.) I also drill a small hole near the top and put a loop of line, which allows me to run a finger through for several holders and carry them all at once. 5' holders are not heavy, but it's awkward to carry several rods and several holders.

The ones I use in the picture above are 5' long 1.5" Schedule 40 PVC. The EASIEST way, and how I make mine is to buy your PVC in 10' lengths and make a 45 degree cut right in the middle. This will yield two 5' sand spikes. I fish multiple rods and want the spikes to be firmly set 18-24" into the sand so that if a rod gets hit while I am fighting a fish, there is less of a chance it will pull over and the fish will set the circle hook on its own from the drag/sinker, allowing the rod to remain in the spike with a fish on without losing $250 of gear to the sandy surf. The longer spikes also serve to keep your rod tips higher and lines out of the breaking waves more than shorter ones- which only helps in detecting bites.

Some people heat a beer/wine bottle with a torch and then flare the reel end of the spike to soften the edges around the reel but I just run some 80 grit sandpaper around the tops and they're good to go. Made a batch of 2" spikes while drilling a bolt through the middle a couple inches shorter than the rod butt length to keep the reels off the edge but I've fished without them for two years without any noticeable wear on my reels. The 1.5" spikes hold all of my 11' rods and my 5'6" standup 100lb-class shark rods without issue and have less play with a rod inside compared to the 2". While Schedule 40 PVC is heaver than the thin wall PVC, the sand spikes are much more substantial and worth it if you have a beach cart.

We got 4 inches of snow last night and it's 4 below zero. Can't wait to head south. Enjoyed the Auburn game, always hated Missouri. Love the running game, like the Nebraska of way back!!! I'm going to make the rod holders when I come down and just leave them.

Good advice on surf rod holders, thanks to all.

Now, here is a totally different approach to surf fishing!
Does this guy look familiar or is it just me?