Surf Rod Holder

Why your surf rod should ride in style

Nothing beats a day at the beach, casting out into the ocean waves, and relaxing while you wait for the big hit on your line. Sometimes that waiting on the shore is the best part of fishing.

Do you remember that four hundred dollar surf rod that you bought last spring? Yeah, the one that you hid in the basement...and when your wife found it you told her it cost "a little over a hundred". I know that you don't want ANYTHING bad to happen to that rod. Because if something bad does happen, you're not getting another one for a very long time.

Therefore, you can't just jam the rod into the sand like the gaggle of care free adolescents hanging out down the beach. It would also ruin everything if you had to stand and hold the rod all day. So naturally, you need to get yourself a surf rod holder. There are really two kinds.

The most basic rod holder is one that you can either make yourself, or buy for between ten and twenty bucks. Its made out of PVC piping. Your rod goes into the pipe and the pipe gets jammed into the sand--not a very complex design. There are a few advantages to this simple model...or actually just one...its cheap and easy. There are also some problems. The most basic problem is in its effectiveness. Being born and raised on the coast of new england, I'm used to ground that is usually very rocky once you get down past the surface. Often it is very difficult to get these rod holders deep enough into the beach sand in order the hold your rod. Even if you do, they are often unsturdy. Not to mention, when you want change your lure or do anything else, you have to take the whole contraption out and start again.

The cheap models also do not provide some of the luxuries of a more expensive commercial model. The most common design for these seems to be a sort of tripod with a body. There are thin legs on the rod holder which can easily be inserted into the sand, then a body with arms where you can attach a couple of poles. These are really great. Taking your pole off and putting it back on is simple. Also, they are usually equipped with a couple of extras, like a flat surface to cut bait on and even drink holders so you don't get sand in your beer.

You really should have a rod holder of some kind, but the desicion is yours. If you like things a little rugged and challenging there's nothing wrong with the cheap types...but if you're really looking for a relaxing day of fishing and hanging out at the beach, your life will be much improved if you purchase the cadillac.