Rod Bags/cases

[AlwaysFishing23]

Hi guys, already have a few weekend/ long weekend trips planned for ice 18-19. So with one open water trip left im starting to really get the itch for ice. This year I need to get a 12 inch extension for my StrikeMaster so I don’t have to risk it like last year. I think I’m good on rod and reels (for now) but I have a few rods I may replace later. But for sure I NEED a new rod storage solution. All those trips I have planned envolve a lot of stacking and packing gear and snowmobile adventures over rough water. So I’m thinking of the striker transporter or the clam rod locker (soft looking blue one with) or the single sided rod case also by clam. I need something that’s rigid and has extra storage for tackle and gear. Also needs to hold 7-10 rods. Also want to keep the size under 38 inches long to fit in my one man flip over. I really like the otter rod box but the size and bulk for what you can store aren’t really Appealing to me. Any Input from you guys for any of these or any that you’ve used that work well and would work for me? Price isn’t to much of an issue as long as it’s around or under $100. Also I want to look at it before purchase so In store would be best. 

Edited October 8, 2018 by AlwaysFishing23

[Jim Almquist]

Mine are all rifle cases. Right now I think I'am up to 4 cases right now. Just look for the more square ended cases and you will easily get 4 to 6 rods in the case.

[leech~~]

1 hour ago, Jim Almquist said:

Mine are all rifle cases. Right now I think I'am up to 4 cases right now. Just look for the more square ended cases and you will easily get 4 to 6 rods in the case.

 

So you haul around 4, 5' foot long cases for some 26"-30" rods?    You must drive a suburban ! 

 

I must have about 10-12 ice rods as well but depending and what I'm going out for-panfish, Walleye or Lakers I only bring about 3 of each on an outing so I don't have to hassle with them all. The 3 go in a soft sided blue bag to keep them from flying around in the porty when pulling with a sled. 

Edited October 10, 2018 by leech~~

[AlwaysFishing23]

I’ve thought about gun cases. Problem is yes there a fraction of the cost but the extra bulk and for what you can store is really unrealistic for me. And like leech said most cases are 4-5ft long. I don’t even have a sled that big to haul that besides the monster otter sled for behind an atv or sled. Thinking of checking out my options and going to the scheels ice fest in a few weeks and getting some input from them and see what they would recommend. 

[Wanderer]

If you go to using the larger cases you could use the extra room for that tackle you mentioned.  Also, consider your mounting options on your sled.  Sometimes it’s better than letting them ride in your flip over, one being you can hole hop easier till you find what you want to set up on.

[Jim Almquist]

Mine are all 48" and I put 8 rods in each and other stuff like my fly boxes and crappie jigs depending on the case. One is for panfish , one for crappies, one for walleyes and one for lake trout rods.  I like my rods in one piece and have never broken one since I started using gun cases. Best money I have spent on ice fishing equipment. Throw it in the back of the Otter or the truck and forget about it.

[leech~~]

1 hour ago, Jim Almquist said:

Mine are all 48" and I put 8 rods in each and other stuff like my fly boxes and crappie jigs depending on the case. One is for panfish , one for crappies, one for walleyes and one for lake trout rods.  I like my rods in one piece and have never broken one since I started using gun cases. Best money I have spent on ice fishing equipment. Throw it in the back of the Otter or the truck and forget about it.

 

48" inchers you say? 

[AlwaysFishing23]

Wanderer, that’s a great point. I’d get the striker transporter any day if it held a few more rods. And could easily be strapped down on the sled or wheeler or early ice could be carried on your back.  Still leaning toward that clam single side bag/case I think

[eyeguy 54]

MTM IFB30 Ice Fishing Rod Box in Red

 

Bought 2 of these 2 winters ago and love them. 

This one is for panfish the other for eyes. I redesigned them a bit and put a layer of foam rubber in. I can get a lot of stuff in them and the foam rubber holds the reels secure. 

Easy to keep in my clam scout. Jig box goes dead center but still using it so not in pic.

35 1/2 x 6 is the white foam area

 

 

[leech~~]

2 hours ago, eyeguy 54 said:

MTM IFB30 Ice Fishing Rod Box in Red

 

Bought 2 of these 2 winters ago and love them. 

This one is for panfish the other for eyes. I redesigned them a bit and put a layer of foam rubber in. I can get a lot of stuff in them and the foam rubber holds the reels secure. 

Easy to keep in my clam scout. Jig box goes dead center but still using it so not in pic.

35 1/2 x 6 is the white foam area

 

 

 

Nice, where did you get those?  On-line only deals?

[eyeguy 54]

I found them on amazon when I got them. 

[Rick G]

Flambeau  Bunk box. Well built hard case, plenty of room for extra reels and gear at bottom of case.... Mills has 'em for $40

[AlwaysFishing23]

I appreciate all your input. I went to Mills yesterday as their starting to put some stuff out. Looked at the hard side gun case and yep I like the protection and price but it’s very big for me I think. I then looked at the clam single sided locker I liked the xtra storage. But your still having to stack rods and it’s not really that rigid. Most of my broken rods came from rods being tangled and stacked and not from being crushed. That being said they had the frabil rod safe. I really liked this one but only downside is it doesn’t hold in line reels that well as it’s not tall enough. So I think I’m going to end up going with a hard sided case. Looking at either the otter, scheels case or similar. If I ever want to buy A TUCR I need something to really protect my setups. I’ll jusg ah e to deal with brining a small tackle bag for tackle and extra stuff. I did look at the flambeau box Rick mentioned and I liked the size and extra storage but it would be a tight fit in my flip over if it would even fit. Anyone have have any experience with the otter or similar hard sided style cases? The scheels case says it’ll hold 4-8 but the otter only 4. Even though it’s bigger I think it would hold 8 no problem.

[eyeguy 54]

the red one fits fine in my scout.  I think that black one rick has probably would also. case on one side and my buddy heater on the other just behind me.  2 TUCR infernos in the red case and a dandy 32 inch custom from Kichler custom rods. Also 2 of my favorite old ganders with the titanium spring. I would not put 8 in it. 

[IceHawk]

I use breakdown shotgun cases each one will  fit 2-3 rod reel combos easily. Fit very nicely in my fish trap pros and otters protect very well.  I have 4 of them lable each one  with the species setup in each case stack them on garage bench. Grab the right combos for species being sought after. Only draw back is I have to break handles down on reels. You could probably cut some foam out to make it work easier I have just got use to looseing handles on reels.. My free fall and trip wire work in them also so yes inline setups will work. 

[Wanderer]

There are lots of options and they all work better for some than others for each individual situation.  

 

I use a mix of single rod cases (hard tube with reel bag on the end), the Bunk box Rick has (works for my laker rods), and break down fly rod case that I custom cut the foam on to fit my in-lines.

 

Basically, make sure your rods aren’t too long for your house!  From there you could even build an insert into your tub and line it with foam.  Custom cut the interior to fit your rods your way.  Ever go the the Thorne Brothers potable mods gathering.  You could get some ideas there for sure!

Edited October 16, 2018 by Wanderer

[AlwaysFishing23]

What I’m starting to find out is there’s not a specific case as everyone has there own liking and what they want in a rod case. With that being said yes going to a ice show or like the thorn bros gathering will allow you to look any many different rigs and choose which would work best for you. 

[AlwaysFishing23]

I ended up picking the scheels blue hard sided case up during the ice fest. On sale for $49.99 so figured that seemed fair. Really debated the otter or the one I got. The deciding factor was really the size difference and the price. Scheels case is a bit smaller outside dimensions and holds the same amount of rods and for half the price is just seemed right. The scheels case also has locking latches which I thought was kinda neat. Obvisoly nothing will beat the otter on quality or durability but time will tell. Right now I have 8 combos in there ranging from a 23” tickle stick, 2 dead sticks, 3 other panfish setups and 28” TUCR inferno UL and 30” M. It seems to hold all these well and things don’t seem to shift around much if at all. It definetly was a VERY tough call but will see how I feel in the spring and how this case holds up. 

[rundrave]

can any of you guys with the hard side cases speak to the durability of the plastics on these units in bitter cold weather? do these cases hold up to abuse or do they get fragile and break? 

[eyeguy 54]

this will be the third winter with my red ones. Still like new. The eye case hardly gets used but the panfish case sees the ice a lot. 

 

 

[AlwaysFishing23]

I used my scheels case last weekend 2 days in a row. I did not go easy on it. It got thrown around on the ice, I threw it in the truck and I stood on it while on the ice. My buddy has the otter case and the durability and construction are similar. So far it was a good investment and no worry’s about broken rods.

[monstermoose78]

This caught my eye for just taking a few rods out.

[Wanderer]

Deep enough to hold spinning reel rigged rods or just enough for in lines?  Looks like they might work pretty nice.

[monstermoose78]

1 hour ago, Wanderer said:

Deep enough to hold spinning reel rigged rods or just enough for in lines?  Looks like they might work pretty nice.

I think it would hold spinning reels you might have work the handle back 

[AlwaysFishing23]

Looks identical to the little frabil rod case I have just clear. I’ve stuffed like 6-7 combos in there before. Doesn’t hold in lines but will hold fly reels and spinning reels with handles folded. Nice case for a few rods and compact. 

[KidMoe]

I just picked up the Scheels Outfitter Ultimate case and I’m really looking forward to it. After a couple busted rods and cracked tackle boxes from one LOTW trip I decided to go hard sided. I’m gonna try and mount it on the snowmobile instead of hauling it in the tub.