DIY fishing rod case

[dabuddha]

So I was bored the other day and decided to try to ghetto rig a couple of fishing rod cases using a 3" PVC pipe. Here's what I have so far

The problem I'm having is since I cut that slit in order to allow the rod to slide in and keeping the reel outside, the PVC cap I bought doesn't fit snugly (since the structural integrity of the pipe is compromised) Any suggestions on how to cap it?

One thought I had was to get a large thick sock and just slide it over the end and somehow clamp it onto the PVC pipe. This way the reel would be protected as well.

 

[BoomerD]

Why not just remove the reel and transport it separately? Otherwise, why bother with a hard case?

 

[deadlyapp]

You might be able to find a piece slightly smaller that fits the ID of your pipe and you can slide it in the end to keep the roundness if that makes sense.

Problem will be finding a fitting or pipe that fits the ID correctly since most are sized to fit the OD.

 

[theknight571]

From the piece you cut out, cut a piece approximately the depth of the cap. Taper the sides so it is slightly trapazoidal, then glue it into the cap.

Now the cap is "keyed" but when you slide it on it should force the ends of the cut area apart and put the pipe back to full diameter.

Did that make sense?

 

[CZroe]

Perhaps you can get a short piece of pipe with the same outer diameter as the inner diameter of the PVC pipe you have and then slide that into the back. It will keep the outer pipe from contracting when you cap it. If it isn't quite big enough to support it you could cut a couple slits in the inner pipe and shim it with something to create a flare on the plug end. Heck, you could shim the pipe you have just as easily. Get one of those threaded rod couplers and put a bolt in both ends to adjust the flare.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Why not just remove the reel and transport it separately? Otherwise, why bother with a hard case?

:thumbsup: I never store reels on the rod. Remove them for cleaning and store separately. I don't mount them on the rod until I'm on the boat heading out to sea.

 

[dabuddha]

Why not just remove the reel and transport it separately? Otherwise, why bother with a hard case?

Mostly because of convenience. I like to get out there and start fishing immediately since I never get a lot of time when I go out. This way, I can open my case, put my rod together, bait my hooks and cast away.

But the reason for the hard case is just to make it easier to transport. I plan on either bolting on a handle on the PVC pipes or zip tieing all the cases together and then putting a single handle on them (4 rods total)

 

[deadlyapp]

From the piece you cut out, cut a piece approximately the depth of the cap. Taper the sides so it is slightly trapazoidal, then glue it into the cap.

Now the cap is "keyed" but when you slide it on it should force the ends of the cut area apart and put the pipe back to full diameter.

Did that make sense?

Actually this is the best idea.

 

[BoomerD]

Mostly because of convenience. I like to get out there and start fishing immediately since I never get a lot of time when I go out. This way, I can open my case, put my rod together, bait my hooks and cast away.

But the reason for the hard case is just to make it easier to transport. I plan on either bolting on a handle on the PVC pipes or zip tieing all the cases together and then putting a single handle on them (4 rods total)

OK, whatever works for ya. I figure it takes a couple of minutes at the most to attach the reel to the rod and run the fishing line through the guides and add terminal tackle. I'd rather keep my reels in a case to protect them from getting banged around and full of dirt. (plus it protects the monofilament from the UV which can weaken monofilament quickly)

 

[dabuddha]

OK, whatever works for ya. I figure it takes a couple of minutes at the most to attach the reel to the rod and run the fishing line through the guides and add terminal tackle. I'd rather keep my reels in a case to protect them from getting banged around and full of dirt. (plus it protects the monofilament from the UV which can weaken monofilament quickly)

That's where I was thinking the big sock over the end of the PVC pipe would come into play