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1. 4 feet of 1 1/2 inch schedule 40 pvc
2. A drill with a 1/4 inch drill bit
3. A hacksaw and sandpaper.

Cut a 45 degree angle at the bottom of the piping, use sandpaper to chamfer the top edge andget the pvc burs off.. and, drill holes for your rod-stops, an you are done.

A rocking motion on the top of the pipe coupled with downward pressure will dig it into the sand.  Rock horizontal to the surf so that you don't loosen the sand that is holding the surf rod holder against the bit that is coming.  The consistency of beach sand varies considerably, in loose sand you may need to set the rod holder 2 feet deep or more.

Simple and cheap, but the design has some flaws. Namely, you have to remove the rod from the holder to set the hook, and the angled pvc isn't the most effective way to drill the holder into the sand. An errant wave, a stiff wind or a decent bite could send your expensive gear into the sand.

A variation of this design uses two size 32 automotive hose clamps and 2-5 feet of aluminum angle stock. The pvc pipe is clamped on to the angle stock as illustrated below:

The aluminum angle stock allows you to drill the rod holder deeper into the sand and the angle stabilizes the rod holder.  You can use

a rubber mallet (or a rock) to pound the aluminum into the sand.  While this design provides a more stable platform for your surf rod, it still requires you to left the rod out of the holder to set the hook.  Whie this may not be a problem if you are using circle hooks, it may be problematic for other hook types.

Yet another variation is to cut the pvc pipe in half

length wise for several feet.  Drill holes

in the pipe for your rod stops.  Dowling or 1/4 inch wire will do nicely.  Now your surf rod holder simply cradles your surf rod, allowing you to grab the rod and set the hook without having to take it out of the holder.

However since the rod is simply cradled by the pipe it increases the risk of the rod being bumped and falling out into the surf or the reel winding up in the sand.

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.

BICYCLE SURF ROD HOLDER Universal    US $60.00

Surf Fishing 8 Rod Rack Cooler Holder Beach Dock Pier    US $209.99

Sand Spike Surf Fishing Rod Holder Beach River Camping    US $19.99

Surf Fishing Rod Rack Cooler Holder Beach Dock Pier    US $164.99

Beach Yard Cart Surf Fishing Rod Rack Cooler Holder    US $214.99

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You really should have a rod holder of some kind, but the decision 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.