Surf fishing is refreshing. The sand, waves, blue waters offer a great view, and you may catch a big fish or two. Since surf fishing requires a strong and sturdy rod, often 8-14 feet long, you require a sturdy and strong holder to hold it.
There is a wide range of surf rod holders on the market that you can choose from or make your own. It is fairly easy, affordable, and takes a short time.
Below is a look at 2 DIY surf rod holders that are easy to make and practical to use.
PVC Rod Holders
How to Make
This PVC rod holder is easy and affordable to make with readily available materials. You need the following:
● A 1.5 m long PVC pipe
● 1x32mm 90-degree bend
● 1x32mm PCV tee
● One 50X40mm invert level taper
● 1x65mm coupling
● A drop saw
● PVC glue
Cut one end of the PVC tube with the drop saw at a 45 degrees angle to make it pointed for inserting into the sand. Cut the other side of the pipe to your desired length bearing in mind that about 1/3 of the pipe will be buried in the sand.
Now, attach your tee and elbow using the PVC glue on the PVC tube's upper part. Then glue a piece of PVC tube on the top of the tee and the 90-degree elbow on the end of the PVC tube that you have added to the tee. Glue another piece of the PVC on the other end of the tee to serve as the rod holder.
To make the beer holder, glue the inside of the level insert taper and push it on the PVC pipe. Give your completed DIY rod holder a few hours for the PVC glue to dry.
Advantages
● Easy and affordable to make
● Requires a few tools and materials
● Has a beer holder
Photo credit: instructables.com
Disadvantages
● Not ideal for use as a boat rod holder
● Does not have a locking mechanism
● does not offer adjustability
Best For
This DIY PVC rod holder is a great option if you love to sip your beer as you surf fish. It is designed and built with an additional beer bottle slot to seat well and sturdily on sandy beaches.
Since it is designed with one pointed end, it is best suited for mounting at the beach but cannot be used on boats. The rod holder can be further customized to make it a bait holder by adding another T PVC.
Surf Spike With Solid Aluminum
This is yet another easy-to-make DIY surf rod holder with materials that are readily available in your local home improvement store.
Photo credit: breancaravanangling.com
DIY Aluminum Surf Rod Holder
What You Need
● 14-gauge 4-feet medium-duty aluminum, sand spike U-post
● 1X75mm metric cap screw
● 1x30mm machine screw
● M6 1.0mm wing nut
● M6 1.0mm zinc plated lock nut
● 1-1/2 inch by 2-feet PVC pipe
● Hacksaw
● Pliers
● 3-4-inch nail
Photo credit: fishmaster.com
Cut off a 2-inch piece and a 4-inch piece from the PVC pipe. Hold a 3-4-inch-long nail over an open flame with pliers until it is red hot. Use the nail to make a hole, as wide as the 30mm screw, that goes through one side of the 2-inch PVC pipe, at the middle.
Heat the nail again and make a hole that goes through the two sides of the 4-inch PVC pipe near the bottom. The hole should be wide enough to fit the 75mm screw.
Take the 30mm screw and fasten its twist nut backward until the top of the screw. Take the 2-inch PVC pipe and align it with the hole on top of the aluminum U-post. Pass the 30mm screws through both holes and screw it from the inside of the pipe with a lock nut.
Take the 4-inch PVC pipe and line up the holes with the one that is on the ¾ part of the U-post. Put the 75mm bolt through the hole from the outside. Attach the 4-inch PVC pipe to allow the bolt to pass through both holes. Take the remaining nut and tighten it.
Watch this video for a better understanding of how to make a surf spike with solid aluminum.
Advantages
● Easy to make with readily available materials
● Sturdy and durable construction
● Inserts smoothly into the sand
Disadvantages
● Cannot be used as a boat rod holder
● Does not have a locking mechanism
● Does not offer adjustability
Best For
This DIY Aluminum Surf Rod Holder is suitable for use with a surf rod at the beach. The aluminum U-spot serves as a sand spike for easy insertion into the sand. As long as it is properly inserted, it can withstand strong winds along the beach.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Rod Holder
With a wide range of rod holders available on the market in different sizes, styles, and materials, it can be difficult to determine which type of fishing rod holder is best for you. Consider the factors discussed below to help you narrow down to your best-suited option.
Photo credit: fishinthings.com
1. Whether you will be fishing in salt or freshwater
Freshwater locations are generally shallower, and the type of fish found here are smaller. The freshwater fishing rods are smaller than the saltwater ones, which are used in deeper waters to catch bigger fish. Besides, saltwater has a high level of minerals that are likely to corrode your fishing rod.
Therefore, saltwater fishing rods are typically larger and heavier than freshwater fishing rods. When choosing a fishing rod for your saltwater fishing rod, ensure that it is sturdy enough to withstand the heavier and longer fishing rods.
2. Material of the Fishing Rod Holder
Fishing rod holders are available in different materials, including aluminum, nylon, fiberglass, stainless steel, brass, ABS plastic, PVC, and zinc.
While fiberglass and nylon rod holders are corrosion-resistant and lightweight for durability, easy handling, and portability, they are not sturdy enough to hold heavier rods or for use in adverse weather conditions.
On the other hand, metallic rod holders are sturdier but pricier and heavier. Stainless steel, aluminum, and chrome-plated fishing rods are particularly a great option for saltwater fishing. Fiberglass and nylon holders work well in calmer waters and are more affordable.
3. Rod holder mounting mechanism
Most rod holders have one of the following mounting options: clamp-on, drill mounts, swivel/pivot, or flush.
Clamp-on mounting is most common in boat rod holders and offers versatility in the positioning of the gunnels. Conversely, drill mounts are used for attaching the rod holder permanently to the boat. The clamp-on mounting method offers a non-slip attachment and is best suited if you often use one boat.
Flush mounting holds your fishing rod vertically upright or at an angle. The fishing rod is installed in the gunwale.
There are some flush-mounted boat rod holders, while others have a sand spike for use on the beach when surf fishing.
Swivel mounts allow the rod to rotate when put under sideways pressure, which minimizes the chances of the rod or line breaking.
4. Whether the Holder is Adjustable or Non-adjustable
Rod holder adjustability enables you to mount your rod in different positions, including vertical, horizontal, or angled. They can also be used to tilt or rotate the rod, making them the best-suited option for spin casting or bait casting.
Although adjustable rod holders are convenient, versatile, and cost-effective, they are not as sturdy as non-adjustable holders. Notably, some rod holders have a locking mechanism that keeps the rod in position and prevents theft.
Conclusion
A surf rod holder is essential for keeping sand away from the rod while at the beach. While you could buy one, making your own allows you to customize it to your needs. As with the DIY PVC rod holder above, you can incorporate a beer holder.
People Also Ask
This section answers the most common questions about fish rod holders.
How Much Are the Materials to Make One of These?
Both DIY surf holders used materials that cost less than $10.
What is the Life Expectancy of These Rod Holders?
The life expectancy of a rod holder depends on the durability of the materials used to make it, frequency of use, whether the proper rod maintenance procedures are adhered to, and the conditions under which they are used.
Do I need to clean them after each use?
Yes. You should properly clean and dry your rod holder after every use; otherwise, it may get rusty or mold/mildew, depending on its material. Some anglers use acetone and a rag to clean the holder and its inserts. Others use soapy water then rinse it out with freshwater, while others use bleach and water.
How Will Saltwater Affect the Rod Holders?
Over time, saltwater may corrode the fishing rod holder causing it to break or rust. Therefore, you must go for a rod holder with anti-corrosive properties, especially when fishing in saltwater.
Fiberglass, nylon, and PVC are corrosion resistant. Furthermore, most saltwater rod holder manufacturers coat their metallic rod holders or treat them to ensure that they are corrosion-resistant.
