How to Make A PVC Fishing Rod Holder?

When it comes to taking any kind of fishing trip, it is true that there are several pieces of equipment involved for a successful journey.

However, the most important aspect is how you store this equipment, namely your fishing rod, in order to avoid any premature damages.

Making a PVC rod holder is easier than you might think. All it requires is a bit of ingenuity, tenacity, and a willingness to learn a new skill. Sometimes, you do not even need to go out and buy supplies!

In this article, we will be going through the process of making a PVC fishing rod holder, step-by-step. By the end of this guide, you will be a bonafide expert in making a DIY project that you can really be proud of.

How to Make a PVC Fishing Rod Holder

Let us examine the vertical method for storing rods. There are few techniques more reliable than creating vertical standing holders out of household objects, and you will learn about the most effective materials here.

Materials You May Need for Vertical Storage PVC Fishing Rod Holder

Steps to Making a Vertical Storage DIY Fishing Rod Holder

Your best friend will be PVC: it is such a versatile type of piping that it can be cut and repurposed for just about anything.

Step #1: Cut the PVC or Pool Noodle

You will need to cut 2” thick PVC, both straight bars and elbow bars, and piece them together. You do not need glue for this, as PVC can fit together relatively well if their dimensions are the same.

When you connect PVC together, you want to end up with something like an “M” shape, which allows you to connect multiple rod holders together.

Steps #2 and #3: Connect the PVC to the Wall, Add Your Rods

Connecting a larger PVC to the middle of these elbows, once these pieces are connected, will keep your rods sturdy and upright.

An Alternative to the PVC Method: The Pool Noodle Method

These methods will keep your rods looking newer for much longer!

Materials You May Need for Horizontal Storage DIY Fishing Rod Holder

Steps to Making a Horizontal Storage DIY Fishing Holder

Horizontal methods will follow the same exact logic as making the vertical. You want a holder that keeps your rods from bending. The most popular method is to make ceiling-mounted rod holders with PVC and lumber.

The downside to the horizontal fixture is that it requires much more time to make than the others; however, if you commit, you can construct a reliable apparatus without too much difficulty.

Step #1: Cut the PVC

All you will need are 2” PVC piping — the length will depend on how many rods you want to store — some 2×4 wooden boards, screws and a drill.

The process is fairly simple: cut 2” PVC into 5” pieces and screw them into any 2×4 piece of lumber, one piece of piping at both ends of the wood.

Step #2: Fasten it to the Ceiling Securely

Mount the lumber to the ceiling, however you prefer to, and place your rods into the holes you made out of PVC piping. That’s it!

Step #3: Hang Your Rods

You can now keep your rods stored above on your ceiling without worrying about careless roomies trampling your hobby into dust.

These processes are extremely useful and are not even that complicated to execute. All you need is some tenacity, and time.

Types of Fishing Rod Holder Solutions

Like any savvy fisher, you’ve most likely been met with the age-old issue of proper rod storage. Having a reliable DIY guide for making a fishing rod holder is a valuable asset to have.

Rather than spend money on a commercial one, why not use the power of your mind to construct a personal holder that is all your own, using supplies you have scattered about your garage?

Cheap, reliable and long-lasting holders are possible if you have the drive to make one.

Before we can get right into the steps for making your own DIY fishing rod holder, we will first be going over all of the different types of storage solutions that you have to choose from.

I know it may seem counterintuitive to suggest this, but oftentimes you may not even need to make anything if you have a forgiving environment.

By that I mean: making a completely new holder may not be necessary if you have a sturdy wall, ceiling or even a remote spot on your floor!

Curvatures are common when rods are not cleaned and stored properly. Climate can warp the rod too, but there is only so much that you can control in this case.

Some websites recommend using a storage unit that also has climate control, but unless you do this for a career, or you are just a committed hobbyist, such a case is not necessary.

Two Main Methods for Storing Rods Without Building Anything

Vertical Storage: hanging it from a nail on the wall or keeping it standing on the ground

Horizontal Storage: on a surface away from moisture or salt

Vertical Storage Method

Vertical storage is fairly simple, and the main goal you want to accomplish in doing this is avoiding curvature. Rods are fairly fragile and can warp if you are not careful.

Vertically storing involves keeping the rod perpendicular to the ground as straight as you can manage.

You can use any kind of nail in the wall, the rod may hang upside down, but that’s find. Keeping it standing on ground is fine, but not preferred — depending on the angle, you could place pressure on the rod and warp the wood.

A vertical holder can be made from spare piping in the ground and even pool noodles! Anything that allows the rod to keep its shape without putting too much tension on it will work just fine.

You just need to be aware of how durable your DIY holder is. Pool noodles can last indefinitely as a holder if you keep them dry.

Horizontal Storage Method

Horizontal is also a popular choice, but can be a bit tricky. It is perfectly fine to keep the rod lying on a table, but you must ensure that this table is free of moisture or salt, which can damage the rod’s structural integrity.

I do not recommend keeping it flat horizontal on the ground, as anyone can just come along and step on it. Fragile wood plus feet equals one unhappy fisher!

A horizontal holder can be made from piping in the ceiling, where you can rest the rod on the protruding pipes, as well as wall-mounted rod holders made from cut up pieces of piping and wood. The only caveat with this are that you are limited by the layout of your ceilings.

In a lot of ways, the DIY holders you come across will follow these two dimensions down to the letter, as vertical and horizontal storage are the best methods for keeping your rod lasting longer. Diagonal mounts are also an option, but they’re uncommon and are not conducive to the rod’s shape.

If you have access to the proper tools, it’s a snap to making holders that are vertical or horizontal. I have seen vertical holders made from wooden slabs and pool holder, and horizontal holders made from spare piping on the ceiling, or on the wall. The options are endless!

Regardless of how you slice it, there are many options for making a durable holder than does not involve a lot of guesswork. Now let’s get to the practical part.

Tips For Making The Best Fishing Rod Holder For Your Space

Everyone’s space is different, and there are times where one DIY method is preferable over others. For example, someone who lives in a two-story with a garage will have slightly more options for space than a student in a dormitory.

Thankfully, the beauty of DIY methods are that they are versatile! A studio apartment? No problem! A small garage? Completely doable. As long as your space is big enough to accommodate the length of your rod, you can make a fixture that will work.

Factors That Can Determine the Best Fishing Rod Holder for Your Space

Ceiling Space and Floor Space

This may sound odd, but there are lot of aspects of your ceiling that you probably do not consider in everyday life — things like the height of your ceilings, doorways, etc.

For context, when I was fresh out of college, I lived in a studio apartment on the beach, which, at 21, sounded great in theory, but anyone who has ever lived on the beach knows that space is precious.

In essence, you pay for location, not space! Thus, if you’re in a similar situation with your usable space, you need to be crafty in placing your DIY holder.

In cases like these, a vertical holder won’t jive well; you need to conserve that space if you hope to move comfortably in it! Thus, a horizontal holder might be a better option, especially if do not have garage space.

Consider keeping the fixture in areas you spend the least amount of time in; in a studio, you can’t really work around this, but for a one-bedroom I recommend keeping it in the living room area.

Climate

Let’s say you do have more space; let’s go a bit more ridiculous and assume you’re homeowner in today’s economy. Your options are pretty much unlimited!

Except for one factor: climate. Humidity can in fact warp rods worse than you think. Extremely dry weather can cause your rod to crack.

That is part of the reason why holder merchants suggest a storage unit with climate control capabilities. A good way to work around this is to always clean your rod properly and remove excess moisture before storing it.

At the end of the day, it is critical to keep your rod clean and well-maintained while also keeping in mind your space limitations. Regardless of your personal circumstances, a bit of creative thinking can save your supplies.

Essential Supplies For a DIY Fishing Rod Holder

There are few things in this world that are easier to make than a fishing rod holder, mainly because the amount of supplies you need is minimal. As previously stated, you do not need to run out and buy new supplies if you have PVC and screws!

Holders are very versatile in how you make them, and they can be constructed with a variety of materials, however, if you want something that can stand the test of time, invest in some kind of piping.

Pool noodles are fine if you’re in a pinch, but if you plan on a permanent installation that look aesthetically pleasing, go with a pipe option.

An Overview of Essential Materials for a DIY Fishing Rod Holder:

A Closer Look at Essential Materials for a DIY Fishing Rod Holder

PVC Pipe

PVC is highly workable and can be cut very easily with a cheap PVC ratchet cutter, you just need to careful! A hacksaw is also a good choice, though it carries additional dangers – be cautious when selecting a pipe cutter.

The good part though is the PVC is plastic and malleable, so the amount of strength you need to cut it should be minimal despite your choices on cutter.

Lumber

Lumber is a necessity for any kind of mounting apparatus, since I doubt you would be fine with drilling PVC pipes into your ceiling. 2×4 is a good choice, and a thick board that can support that weight of your rod is desired.

Choose something with enough thickness to handle both your rod and reel, as it wouldn’t make sense for you to detach your reel every time you wanted to store the rod.

Your Space

And lastly, space is the most important part of mounting a holder. Without it, you can’t even begin to plan a proper rod holder. Be selective and choose a spot in your home that does not have a lot of foot traffic!

The Benefits of Fishing Rod Holders

With all of this talk about fishing rod holders, it is easy to forget why exactly we care about proper storage.

Rods are durable tools fishers use to enjoy the world around them, and we want our rods to last us a long time. Storage is a critical part of keeping your rods safe, strong, and usable.

While I’ve gone over the benefits of storage, there are countless uses for a reliable holder as well! DIY projects can be taken on the go, left in your house, even deconstructed and reconstructed.

Ways to Use Your Fishing Rod Holder:

Store Your Rods Long Term

Long-term storage should be an obvious plus to using DIY holders, since they’re durable and can hold your rods without much issue.

Using PVC will protect against rust or excess moisture, especially if you don’t make a case: cases that hold rods can cause mold and warping, so always make sure you are keeping your clean rod exposed to the air.

Store Your Rods Short Term Out in the Field

Besides storage, fishing rod holders can be used practically in the field as well, when you’re off doing other things, a portable holder can be a life-saver.

When you’re grabbing lunch or whatever, keeping your rod slung over your shoulder can be a hassle. A holder than can be used for both long term storage and utility,

A slight downside to portable storage units are their lack of security, unless you want to invest in something like a bike lock, it’s very important you keep an eye on your rod.

If you’re in a boat, then this is not an issue, but depending on how snug your rod is secured, a catch may whisk your rod away!

Collect Multiple Rods

Finally, the best part of using DIY rod holders is the fact that they can change depending on your needs, if you use the elbow “M” shape for your holders, you can, in theory, attach as many units as you have rods!

No matter if you have two rods, or even ten, you can add and subtract PVC pipe as your needs change.

DIY? No Problem!

In conclusion, having a trusty rod holder can make all the difference in how long your fishing career lasts.

Having to constantly replace rods can draw up a hefty bill, so remember that when in doubt, a rod holder is a simple addition to your arsenal of fishing gear!