Hard Sided Rod Case Opinions Needed!

[gonehunting]

Sorry to those of you who have already seen on another forum but would like to get as many opinions as I can.

I have recently been looking at the Ice Innovations Rod Case and the new Frabill Rod Case(by Plano). They are very nice looking cases that are extremely durable. However, like most cases I have found them to be very bulky. I have no need to carry 6-8 rods. I would like to find something similar that would hold around four rods 32-36" in length. I have no need for all the tackle box room as I carry a separate tackle box. When traveling on Lake of the Woods or Lake Winnipeg my portable sled is full of heaters, tanks, shovels, flashers, tackle boxes. I have no need for an oversized rod case. What I was thinking is something around 10" wide and 36" long interior. Would anyone else have an interest in something like this? I think it would be very marketable. Something very similar to a single rifle hard case except not as long and something deep enough that you told have to fold reel handles down. Please let me know if I am the only one thinking this.

[IcePro]

Seen a rod case at Thorne Brothers by Expedition 36x12x5, with it being 5" in depth might have to fold down the handles.

[Scott M]

Your specs rule out a lot of cases on the market. You might try PVC tubes cut to fit your rods with slots that fit the reel arms, then attach some short bungees to keep them in place. You just need to turn off the anti-reverse or not leave lures hooked up when you travel if you have anything with a dainty tip or anything lighter than medium light. Trust me, if you don't do that you'll break tips.

Good luck, hope you find a great case.

[aanderud]

Personally, I think you're fretting too much over a few inches. You can get decent archery cases in dimensions of say 40x17 that'll hold 6 rods. You're asking for 38x12. I just don't see the justification of saving a 2 inches of length and 5 of width. With 6 rods you have enough rods for 2 guys in 1 case -- so if you can combine your rods into a single case you're coming out ahead anyway, versus having two guys each with a 4-rod case.

EDIT -- thought you originally said 12 inches wide, now it looks like you might have edited it to 10. Well either way my opinion is the same. With 2 guys (I assume you're not fishing alone) you're likely carrying two of those smaller 4-rod cases -- but maybe you could condense to one of the larger 6-rod ones instead. Just an idea.