If you’re like most anglers, once you start accumulating rods, they end up strewn all over your garage, shed, or other storage space. Once you get up to a half dozen rods or so, keeping them leaned up in a corner gets pretty cluttered – and can even lead to damage from rods falling over or getting entangled.
A good fishing rod storage rack changes all that. Instead of an unsightly tangled mess of fishing poles, you’ll have a neatly organized rack that protects and displays your prized rods. They also work great for storing kayak paddles, stake out poles, fishing nets, gaffs, and other fishing gear.
These racks can hold a large number of rods while taking up a minimal amount of floor space. They look great anywhere in your home, from the garage to the bedroom to the entrance hall.
I’ll break down some of the best fishing rod racks for different applications, as well as how to pick the best one for your needs.
Quick Answer: 6 Best Fishing Rod Racks
- Best Overall: KastKing Fishing Rod Rack 24 Rods
- Best Roof Rack for Fishing Rods: Rhino Rack Ski Carrier
- Best Portable Rod Rack: Castek Rod Caddy
- Best Ceiling Rod Rack: Rack’em Overhead Fishing Rod Rack
- Best Fishing Rod Wall Rack: Berkley Fishing Rod Rack
- Also Consider: Rush Creek Creations 16 Round Rack
Best Overall: KastKing Fishing Rack 24 Rods
Sturdy, practical, and easy-to-assemble, this lightweight aluminum rack is the cream of the crop when it comes to fishing rod storage. It works equally well in your garage, cabin, bedroom, or even a fishing boat. The rust-resistant aluminum frame features spaced out cushioned rod holders – allowing you to store your rods so they won’t overlap each other.
Assembly is super easy, requiring no tools or hardware to put together. A convenient carry handle makes the whole unit completely portable. The entire rack weighs just 4.8 pounds, so transporting it from one location to another is a breeze.
Kastking makes the rod rack in both 12 and 24 rod configurations. The 24-rod rack can accommodate larger saltwater rods with handles up to 1 ¾ inch diameter. The 12-rod rack is suited for smaller rods, and can hold bass, trout, and fly fishing rods. If you’ve got more than a half dozen rods to store, then go with the 24-rod option – you’ll probably outgrow the smaller rack over time.
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Key Features
- Well-made, sturdy, and easy to assemble aluminum rod rack
- 12 and 24 rod options available
- Aluminum finish looks great anywhere in your home
- No tools required for assembly
- Also works great for storing kayak paddles, fishing nets, gaffs and more
Best Roof Rack for Fishing Rods: Rhino Rack Ski Carrier
If you’re looking for a roof rack to keep your rods protected while you drive to your favorite fishing spot, look no further. Rhino rack makes some of the best roof racks on the market, and this one is no exception.
The easy-to-install rack attaches to existing roof rack crossbars with an included tamper-proof Allen wrench, and locks for added security. It’s designed to fit most aftermarket crossbars, as well as all factory crossbars. The corrosion-resistant aluminum frame is rock-solid and will keep your rods from moving around, even when you’re doing 100+ mph.
Four different sized racks are available: 10”, 13”, 20”, and 27”. The 10 and 13 inch model are well suited to transporting a number of rods, and you should be able to fit at least 6 rod/reel combos on the 13-inch model. The larger models can also be used to transport fishing rods, but are more suited to carrying multiple pairs of skis or snowboards.
Key Features
- Durable, easy to install roof rack for transporting rods/reels, skis, and snowboards
- Rock-solid aluminum frame locks gear and prevents movement even at high speed
- Four sizes available: 10”, 13”, 20” and 27”
- Will fit all factory and most aftermarket crossbars
- Racks are locked with included tamper-proof Allen wrench
- IDEAL CAPACITY - Hold up to 3 Pairs of Skis or 2 Snowboards, and in the Summer is a Fishing Rod Holder, Wake Board Holder, or Longboard Holder. Comes with 1 Set of 2 Lockable Arms with Mounting Hardware and 4 Keys.
- TAKE THAT TRIP - The Large Capacity Makes it Perfect for a Trip with Family or Friends.
- UNIVERSAL MOUNTING - Universal Mounting to Most Roof Racks with Easy Installation. Suitable for All Vehicles.
- EASY RELEASE HARDWARE - Easy Release and Easy Locking for Gloved Hands. Rubber Grip Profile to Protect Skis, Snowboards & Fishing Rods. Master Key Compatible.
- HEAVY DUTY - Heavy Duty Aluminum Construction, Rust & Corrosion Resistant. Dimensions: 13 Internal / 18 External.
- EASY INSTALLATION - Simple Installation with Universal Mounting Brackets Included.
- GLOVE FRIENDLY - The Release Mechanism Allows you to Open and Close the Carrier with Gloved Hands in the Winter, which is a Huge Benefit after a day on the Slopes. All you do is Snap it Shut, Lock it for Protection and youre on the Road.
- SIMPLICITY - Keep your Vehicles Interior Dry and Clean by Putting Your Gear on the Roof. The Simplicity of Rhino-Rack Engineering means that you can Easily get on with your Adventure All Year Round.
- MULTI PURPOSE - In the Spring and Summer - Easily Carry Longboard Skateboards or a Dozen or More Fishing Rods. In the Winter it can Hold up to 3 Pairs of Skis or up to 2 Snowboards.
- At Rhino-Rack, we believe there’s an adventurer in all of us. It’s what drives us to create world-ready outdoor gear, born and proven in Australia. We believe life is better when we Make Space for Adventure.
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Best Portable Rod Rack : Castek Rod Caddy
If you’re looking for a versatile and portable fishing rod rack that you can use in your garage, vehicle, or at the shore, you’ll have a hard time beating this beautiful 4-rod caddy. Made from tough anodized aluminum alloy, the caddy features a convenient stand that keeps your rods upright when you’re at the shore, much like a golf club bag!
It can hold up to 4 rods at the same time – either broken down or extended – and can be carried single-handed. The caddy also doubles as a rod stand for shore fishing, allowing you to fish multiple rods simultaneously.
The rack also comes with a mounting bracket, allowing you to mount it vertically, horizontally, or at an angle. It can be mounted to a garage wall, or a boat, truck, RV, and nearly anywhere else. Then when it’s time to head out, grab the rack off the wall and hit the water!
Key Features
- Versatile rod rack/caddy can be wall-mounted or used like a golf bag
- Includes wall mounting bracket and baitcaster reel adapter
- Can hold 4 rods at once
- Convenient one-handed carry
- Doubles as rod stand/holder for shore fishing
- Fits Most freshwater SPINNING rods- please see product description for rod sizing. Not sized for ocean, steelhead, or catfish rods.
- Get your poles out of the corner of the garage and organized on the wall
- Take the entire rack with you and Easily carry 4 rods in one hand as easy as carrying one
- Automatic stand makes it easy to set up at the shore, and holds your rods for you while you bait your hook or change your lure
- IMPORTANT: See product description for Rod Size Compatibility. Includes mounting brackets (Screws Not Included)
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Best Ceiling Rod Rack: Rack’em Overhead Fishing Rod Rack
Designed for use in a garage, shed, cabin, or anywhere you have sufficient ceiling space, this overhead rack is an excellent option for keeping rods out of the way and protected. The simple design works incredibly well, protecting your rods from damage while keeping them within arm’s reach. The rack will hold all types of fishing rods, from heavy-duty saltwater rods to fly rods to ultralight panfish rods.
Two rack sections allow you to adjust the width between the two hooks, so you have plenty of customization options at your disposal. Each hook is about 5” apart, so if you have large reels, you’ll need to stagger them. To fit the full 12 rod/reel combos on the rack, alternate the rod direction so that the reels have enough space between them.
If you’re looking for a cheap and effective ceiling mount for your fishing rods, then this rack is a great choice. Multiple racks also work well if you have more than 12 rods to store.
Key Features
- Simple, effective overhead stainless steel rack design
- Hold up to 12 rods/reels
- Easy-to-install with included hardware
- Ideal for garage, storage shed, boathouse, or cabin
- Organize your rod collection - protect from damage & increase accessibility
- For Indoor/Outdoor Use - not affected by sun or salt
- Mount in garage, basement, boat, boat house, camp or cabin
- Holds all fishing rod shapes, sizes & styles
- Heavy-duty steel construction, 28L x Adjustable Width x 4H
- Included components: fishing rods racks, mounting hardware
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Best Fishing Rod Wall Rack: Berkley Fishing Rod Rack
Simple, effective, and durable, this wall-mounted rod rack is an excellent option for organizing your rods and getting them off of the floor. Its design is straightforward, with a high strength plastic frame and foam grip pads in between each pre-cut slot. To mount a rod, simply place it in between the slot and push until the rod locks in place from the foam.
Both vertical and horizontal mount options are available, allowing you to adjust the rack to your preferences. The vertical rack features a solid bottom, and can also be mounted horizontally if needed. Mounting hardware comes included, which works well for wood, drilled brick or concrete.
The rack can store up to 6 rods at the same time. If you have large saltwater reels, you can stagger them so that the reels don’t bump up against one another.
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Key Features
- Simple and effective wall mounted rod rack
- Excellent value
- Locks rods in place with foam friction lock
- Vertical and horizontal mount options available
Also Consider: Rush Creek Creations 16 Round Rack
This sturdy wood rack is a must-have for anyone with limited space and too many fishing rods! The round fishing pole rack can store and display up to 16 rod and reel combos and looks great while doing so. Slots built into the base plate support and hold your rod handles in place, while soft rod clips on the upper section adjust to any type of rod taper.
The rack measures 13.3″ x 13.3″ x 30″, making it a convenient size for just about anywhere in your home, garage, cabin or boathouse. Assembly is quick and easy and requires no tools to put together. Six different styles are available including: barn wood, dark walnut, American cherry, camo, Americana, and bass.
Keep in mind while the stated capacity is 16 rods, if you have large saltwater rigs, you might not be able to fit the full 16.
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Key Features
- Steel and wood round rack is a great option for storing rods in compact spots
- Assembles in minutes with no tools
- Holds up to 16 rod and reel combinations
- Functional, stable, and beautiful looking
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How to pick the right fishing pole rack
With so many different styles, features, and models, picking the right fishing rod rack can be a tricky task. Let’s break down some of the most important features to keep in mind when choosing the best rod rack for your needs.
Capacity
Fishing rod racks vary widely in terms of the number of rods they can hold. Compact rod racks may hold just 4-6 rods, while larger ones can store up to 24.
If you’re like most anglers, accumulating new rods becomes a bit of an addiction – you can never have enough! Consider that when you’re choosing a rod rack. You can always add new rods to a rack with extra capacity, but you can easily outgrow a smaller rack in a short period.
Additionally, most fishing rod racks are great for storing other gear like 2 piece kayak paddles, stake out poles, fishing nets, and other long skinny items. Don’t forget to consider this when you’re choosing a rod storage rack.
Portability
If you’re looking for a rack to mount on the wall in your garage, then portability is less of a concern. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a rack that you can carry from your garage to the trunk of your car to the shore, then a portable rack can be a game-changer.
If you need to transport several different sized rods (like going fishing with young kids), then a portable rod rack like the Castek Rod Caddy makes an excellent choice. A small portable rack allows you to hold up to four rods, so you can store full-sized rods along with kids fishing poles in a rack you can carry single-handed.
Mounting
The location and mounting surface are important to consider before choosing a fishing rod rack. You’ll want to be sure the wall or ceiling has a large enough surface area to accommodate your rack and rods.
Depending on the mounting surface, you may be able to drill directly into the wall studs or you may need to use drywall anchors. Most rod racks come with mounting hardware included, but you may need to adjust the hardware depending on the surface material.
Aesthetic Appeal
Last but not least, you’ll want a rack that looks decent and does a good job displaying your prized rods. Many newer rod racks are not only designed for functionality but are also built to look pretty sleek.
If you’ve got a half dozen or more offshore rods and reels why keep them stacked up in some closet or dark corner of your garage? Display them proudly with one or more sturdy, good looking fishing rod racks.
