Tarpon 140 or 120 Surf Rod Storage

I always wondered how Tarpon owners stowed their rods will being in the surf zone.  Your feedback is appreciated.

I'm paddling an older style T140 from '04 or '05.

I have a plano box in the tankwell that I use to store all of my "sensitive" stuff (reels, GPS, radio, etc). On a day like last Sunday I battened down the boat by taking the reels off my rods and stowing the reels in the box. I then take the rods and bundle them along the "planned non-exit" side of the boat (I try to exit on the right, stow the rods on the left) under the paddle keeper bungie. So far no problems in multiple seasons of surf launches/landings.
I use the small rear hatch as a catch-all for gaff, bonker, hat, whatever will fit. I figure if the landing goes sour I can dig stuff out after the fact, and at least I won't lose anything. I have a rear flaot bag inside the hull and it keeps most items from sliding all the way to the stern.


...but I still wish for a rod pod.

Front hatch in my T140. I have broken tips and guides doing this though. This is the one thing that is a pain with this boat. The payoff is it paddles better for me than a Trident as I'm smaller (5'7"/145lbs). Practice out on land. Store the rods before anything else and make sure you have enough space that isn't blocked by pool noodles/hreat etc.

Picean, I need to have a look at your setup. I have lashed mine before but wasn't sure about it. And yea, no matter how you do it, remove the reels.

Sharky, you can see the rods in the pic from last week. It's not ideal since I have to pull the reels off and then put them back on and string the rods once I get out, but it has been working for me. I do usually roll them up with the leashes, and then clip the leashes on to the grab line (juuuust in case the bungie gets broken) but really this is all for a 'worst case ' scenario, normally if it looks like all this was really necessary I wouldn't even go out

Yea thats how I did it once at bombing Muir Beach. I was thinking about bending a piece of pvc pipe with a heat gun to follow the contour of the aft rail and tie mounting it back there to slide them into, but that moves away from my" KISS" MO.

Yea thats how I did it once at bombing Muir Beach. I was thinking about bending a piece of pvc pipe with a heat gun to follow the contour of the aft rail and tie mounting it back there to slide them into, but that moves away from my" KISS" MO.

I have considered that exact same, but haven't done it for the same reason. My only real concern is the rods getting beat up, but so it goes with kayak fishing, the gear gets used.

Hobie just came out with this:

HOBIE HORIZONTAL ROD HOLDER KIT Keep your fishing rod secure and protected along the side of your kayak. Insert the rod tip into the tip protector and lock the rod handle into the clasp. Easy to install using the provided hardware. Choose either through-bolts or sheet metal screws. Fits any kayak. Patent Pending. 72021060 HORIZONTAL ROD HOLDER KIT

Suppose to work on all yaks and not bad for $20.
http://www.austinkayak.com/products/5491/Hobie-Horizontal-Rod-Holder-Kit.html

OK... So you have all that useless stretch cord at the bow. Go and buy a 3-4 rod tube stile holder at the boat shop and place it in the webbing. This is where the tips go. then put the reel ends in the foot wells and lash them to the center pole holder. Takes some messing with but protects the tips and the reels. also keeps jigs/plugs apart and tangle/snag free... $10.00 fix give it a try

OK... So you have all that useless stretch cord at the bow. Go and buy a 3-4 rod tube stile holder at the boat shop and place it in the webbing. This is where the tips go. then put the reel ends in the foot wells and lash them to the center pole holder. Takes some messing with but protects the tips and the reels. also keeps jigs/plugs apart and tangle/snag free... $10.00 fix give it a try

Sounds like a great idea.  Do you have any pics?

OK... So you have all that useless stretch cord at the bow. Go and buy a 3-4 rod tube stile holder at the boat shop and place it in the webbing. This is where the tips go. then put the reel ends in the foot wells and lash them to the center pole holder. Takes some messing with but protects the tips and the reels. also keeps jigs/plugs apart and tangle/snag free... $10.00 fix give it a try

Not a bad idea for some circumstances, but unless the rod case is closed up.....

this would not protect your reels from the sand that comes from a saltwater wipeout. Plus my boat doesn't have any deck bungie on it anymore .
I stow my reels after getting a nice little daiwa stuffed into the sand. That wasn't even a wipeout, just a sideways tip 'o' the boat as I was pulling it out of the water.