How to Build a Surf Fishing Cart

A surf fishing cart is a wheeled cart used to carry a tackle box and fishing poles to the beach. The cart is especially helpful for lugging heavy tackle boxes, rods and bait to secluded surf fishing spots along the beach and is sometimes necessary when you have to walk far over sand and rocks. This surf fishing cart is made from PVC pipe, which means it will be light and versatile. Rod holders and lights can be attached to the cart.

Things You'll Need

• 2-inch PVC pipe, about 20 feet
• Elbow and corner T joints
• Adhesive and PVC sealing tape
• Plywood
• Pipe saw
• Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Cut PVC pipe and plywood to four 1-foot sections, five 2-foot sections, four 3-foot sections and two 1-foot sections; cut plywood to 2 by 3 feet.

2. Build the bottom frame. Attach a corner T joint (elbow joint with a bottom joint for another vertical piece) to one 3-foot section and one 2-foot section. Paint exterior of pipe end with adhesive; insert the pipe into the joint.

3. Add a T joint to the open, unattached ends of the 2-foot and 3-foot sections in the same manner as in Step 2. Add a 3-foot and 2-foot section to connect these two new joints. The results should be a rectangle frame with four corner T joints. The vertical section of the T joints (with pipes installed in them) should all face in the same direction.

4. Create another identical frame using the same sized pieces and in the manner as you did in step 3---add a T joint to one of the 2-foot sides. Cut the 2-foot pipe in half; remove 2 inches from each half. Reassemble it with a T joint in the center connecting the two halves. Insert this side with the T joint into the frame at a 45-degree angle, facing up from the center at a 45-degree angle. You now have two matching 2 by 3-foot frames, except one side has a T joint in the center.

5. Paint adhesive on the ends of four 1-foot sections of PVC; insert them into the vertical portion of the corner T joints on the rectangular frame (without the T joint installed).

6. Add adhesive to the open ends of these sections; slide the other frame on top, connecting the vertical T joints to the ends of the 1-foot pipes. This creates a 2-feet-wide by 3-feet-long by 1-foot-tall frame box. Make sure the T joint installed in the 2-foot side is facing up and out.

7. Paint adhesive on the end of a one 1-foot PVC section; install this into the angled T joint in the center of the 2-foot side. Paint the end with adhesive; install a T joint on top of this to create a handle.

8. Seal each joint with PVC tape for added strength and to prevent water seepage.

9. Place the plywood on top of the cart; trace the outline of the PVC joints onto it from the bottom. Cut out these sections with a jig saw. Lay the plywood into the frame. Fasten it to the frame with U brackets or zip ties.

10. Mount an axle to a 2-foot length of 2 by 4 boards with 1/4-inch bolts. Mount this board to the end of the cart. Mount another 2 by 4 board in the vertical position to the plywood frame, as a stand, which should be anywhere from five to eight inches, depending on how high your wheels are.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Metal surf fishing cart
• Metal cart