How to Build Wooden Fishing Pole Holders

Preserve the quality of your fishing poles by storing them properly when not in use.

After a day of fishing, store your valuable fishing poles in a wooden holder that can also serve as a piece of furniture. Aside from being organized, you are also protecting your investment from damages.

Things You'll Need

• Table saw
• Drill
• 1/16-inch drill bit
• 1 1/4-inch wood bit or hole saw
• Screw gun
• Wood glue
• 1 1/2-inch wood screws
• 12 rubber rod holder clips
• 4 L-metal brackets, 3/4-inch
• Oak boards, about 1-inch thick
• 4 clamps
• 10 mushroom-style button plugs

Instructions

1. Use the tape measure and table saw to cut the parts of the rod holder. Saw two pieces of oak boards to a height of 36 inches and width of 11 1/2 inches. These two boards are for the sides of the rod holder. For the bottom rod rest, make a board with a height of 19 inches and width of 10 inches. For the top rod support, cut the board so that the height is 19 inches with a 3 1/2-inch width.

2. Mark a vertical line on the top of the side board 4 inches from both sides and 1-inch from the top edge. There should be a 3 1/2-inch gap between the two lines. Pre-drill two side by side 1/16-inch holes centered on the 3 1/2-inch gap. Repeat on the other side board.

3. Pre-drill three, 1/16-inch holes on the bottom of the side boards: one hole through the center and two holes 1-inch from the side edges.

4. Drill 3/8-inch counter-bored holes about 1/4-inch deep into all the pre-drilled holes.

5. Put the side boards aside and start building the 19-inch by 10-inch bottom rod rest. Measure and mark 12 rod holes on the board. Mark two columns of six holes evenly along the wood. Drill the holes using the 1 1/2-inch hole saw. These holes are for holding the bottom of your fishing poles.

6. Take the 19-inch by 3 1/2-inch top rod support. Measure and mark six spots for rod support holders on both side edges. This should match the two, 6-hole columns of the bottom rod rest. Attach the 12 rod support holders on all the marked spots using a screw gun. This holds the top part of your fishing poles.

7. Clamp the top and bottom pieces to the side boards. Use wood glue to attach the pieces 1-inch from the top and bottom end of the side boards.

8. Use wood screws and mount four L-metal brackets underneath the bottom rod support for additional strength.

9. Attach mushroom-style button plugs in all the counter-bore holes on the side pieces. Pour a small amount of wood glue and insert the plugs into place. Scrape off any leftover glue.

Tips & Warnings

• Enhance the fishing pole holder by sanding smooth with a drum sander. Apply finish or desired paint.

References

• "Outdoor Life"; Fishing Rod Rack; Peter Fiduccia