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3 DIY Truck Bed Fishing Rod Holders You Can Construct Today (With Pictures)

man standing beside their car storing their fishing rods on top

If you’re an avid fisherman, you know that there’s nothing worse than having to leave your fishing rods at home because you don’t have a place to store them while you’re driving.

But with a little bit of creativity and some basic carpentry skills, you can easily build one of these three DIY truck bed fishing rod holders and never have to leave your rods behind again!

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The 3 DIY Truck Bed Fishing Rod Holders

1. DIY Rod Holder for Your Truck

DIY Truck bed rod holder
Image Credit: Mountains to Marsh
Materials: Berkley rod holder, 1 ¼ PVC, end caps, elbows, nuts, bolts, washers, paint
Tools: Saw, drill, screwdriver, PVC glue, sandpaper
Difficulty Level: Easy

This first DIY fishing rod holder is probably the simplest to construct, and it only requires a few materials that you likely already have lying around the house. All you need is a length of PVC pipe (about 3 feet should do the trick), a hacksaw, and some sandpaper.

To construct this fishing rod holder, cut the PVC pipe into four equal pieces using the hacksaw. Then, take a piece of sandpaper and rough up the inside of each PVC pipe section. This will help to keep your fishing rods in place while you’re driving.

Once you’ve roughed up the inside of the PVC pipe sections, place them over your fishing rods, and you’re good to go!


2. PVC Pipe Fishing Rod Holder with Foam

DIY rooftop rod locker game and fish
Image Credit Game & Fish
Materials: PVC, gaskets, end caps, foam insulation
Tools: Drill, saw, screws, sandpaper, miter, bits
Difficulty Level: Easy

If you want a slightly more secure option for holding your fishing rods in place, you can add a layer of foam to the inside of your PVC pipe holder. This will help to grip the rods and keep them from sliding around.

To do this, cut a length of foam pipe insulation (available at any hardware store) that is slightly longer than your PVC pipe sections. Then, slit the foam down the middle so that you can slide it over the PVC pipe. Once you’ve done this, rough up the inside of the foam with sandpaper so that it will grip the rods better.


3. Rack & Carrier PVC Pipe Fishing Rod Holder

DIY Fishing Rod Rack and Carrier
Image Credit: Fishwest
Materials: PVC, end caps, camping pad, couplers (threaded), O rings, foam insulation
Tools: Saw, drill, PVC glue, sandpaper
Difficulty Level: Easy

This PVC pipe fishing rod holder is a great option if you want something that is both cheap and easy to construct. Use the full PVC length and glue the end caps on. Then, add the couplers (threaded) and O rings to secure the rods in place.

The foam insulation will protect your rods, and the camping pad will keep them from sliding around. This is a sturdy yet inexpensive option that you can easily make at home.

If you’re handy with tools, you can knock out this project in a couple of hours. If you wish, you can attach a toolbox, which you will find in the plans. But you’re free to omit this if you just want a straightforward rod holder for your truck.

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DIY Truck Bed Fishing Rod Holder Tips

Before you get started on your own DIY truck bed fishing rod holder, here are a few tips to keep in mind. These will ensure that your holder is both functional and stylish.

Use PVC Pipe for a Cheap and Easy Solution

You can find PVC pipe at any hardware store, and it’s easy to work with. Cut the pipe to the desired length, then glue or tape it securely in place.

Don’t Be Afraid to Upgrade

PVC is actually a really good material for a fishing rod holder, but if you want to get a little fancy (and have the budget for it), there are plenty of other options out there. You can find holders made from aluminum, stainless steel, or even carbon fiber.

some fishing rods in holders
Image By: Kenny Eliason, Unsplash

Always Make Sure the Pipe Is Securely Attached

This is especially important if you’re going to be carrying more than one rod. You don’t want the pipe to come loose and smack you in the head while you’re driving!

If You’re Not Sure, Ask for Help

There’s no shame in asking for help when you’re working on a project like this. If you’re not sure how to do something, just ask a friend or family member who’s handy with tools.

Now that you know a few tips, it’s time to get started on your own DIY truck bed fishing rod holder!

car and road divider

 

Conclusion

Building your very own truck bed fishing rod holders is a great way to save money and have a great time doing it. Plus, you’ll be the talk of the town when you show off your new fishing gear to all your friends.

These three DIY truck bed fishing rod holders are easy to construct and will have you ready to hit the open road in no time.


Featured Image Credit: Spring Fed Images, Unsplash

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