[richg99]

What size and length of pvc is suggested for a sand rod holder for the beach? Thanks richg99

 

[woodybooger]

3 or 4 feet and 3.5 inch

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[had2reg]

I have been using 1 1/2" class 200 pvc pipe. I buy them from an irrigation company in 20' lengths. You can cut it(at a 45 degree angle) into either (5)4' or (4)5' pieces. I prefer the longer length.

I heat(carefully) the non angled end with a propane torch and flair the end with a wine bottle to protect the rod's grip from the top edges of the pvc pipe.

The class 200 pvc pipe is lighter and has a larger id than same od sized sch40. 1 1/2" sch40 id is too small for most surf rods where as the id of the class 200 fits most surf rods. 2" sch40 is even heavier and is harder to suck into the sand. Some larger butt rods will require 2" pipe.

 

[had2reg]

.

 

[richg99]

Nice. I have been doing that "flare" end for my rod holders in the boat. Never thought about the handles of a surf rod.

Thanks, richg99

 

[richg99]

Do these look OK?

That Black thing is the top of a rubber mallet. Will that be OK to use to drive them into the sand?

Are there any kind of reel fasteners that you put on the end? Hate to see the rod/reel go flying off into the deep! ha Ha

richg99

 

[the toninator]

the mallet will work but will get tore up after a time. I use a fence post hammer and make sure my 5' holders are at least 1 1/2' into the sand. Have you tried your poles in that 1 1/4. I use 1 1/2 and it's pretty tight.
I also dont flair my ends I just use a file and smooth them out.

 

[richg99]

Ha Ha I probably don't have any REAL surf rods. The largest rods that I own will fit into the 1 1/4 PVC that I used.

If this turns out to be as much fun as I hope it will be, I can gear up for the real thing later. Thanks for all of the help. richg99

 

[ChasingReds]

I strap a couple of pieces of rebar to my pvc with hose clamps. Gives me more height, stability and something stronger than pvc to bang into the sand. Works great!

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[the toninator]

Ha Ha I probably don't have any REAL surf rods. The largest rods that I own will fit into the 1 1/4 PVC that I used.

If this turns out to be as much fun as I hope it will be, I can gear up for the real thing later. Thanks for all of the help. richg99

Good luck!

 

[had2reg]

Use of a rubber mallet to drive the rod holders in the sand will break the thin walls of the pvc pipe.

If the beach is mainly sand without too much shell, the rod holders can be sucked into the sand. Close to the edge of the water, start the pipe into the wet sand by wiggling the rod holder back and forth until the wet sand form a seal around the bottom. By sucking on the top of the rod holder, the rod holder will be drawn down into the sand.

Adding a metal spike to the pvc rod holder takes away from the simplicity, adds some thing that can corrode or rust and adds weight. Metal spikes are not needed on sandy beaches.

No extra retention needed if drags are properly set.

 

[DanaS]

I use a fence post hammer and make sure my 5' holders are at least 1 1/2' into the sand.

I do this as well. Picked up a post pounder from hardware store for about $12. Works great. I am sure i picked that tip up from this site a few years ago.
On the flaring of the end, that is an interesting idea. I used a dremmel to grind down my ends, which has spared my rods, but that flare could ease sliding the rods into the holders. Especially if under tension with a fish

 

[richg99]

Flaring takes less than a minute if you have a heat gun. If not, try your wife's hair dryer. Heat the end by rolling it over and jam it onto a wine bottle. richg99

 

[hunterjck]

Beach Rod Holders

I buy T Posts and use duct tape to attach about 12" of 1 1/2' PVC.
Use 2# mallet to drive post into the sand.

 

[sharkchum]

I know a lot of people use PVC rod holders, but I can't understand why. Most of my surf fishing rigs run between $300 and $600, and there is no way I would trust them sitting in a $2 piece of plastic pipe. I use 1 1/2" pipe welded to 1 1/2" angle iron. I can set them in the sand and remove them with one hand just by wiggling them a little. They will rust over time but it takes years. The one in the pictures is probably 15 years old and still going strong.

 

[keltex78]

For mine, I used 1 1/2" Sch. 40 PVC pipe. This works well, but my largest rod is a Berkley Big Game from Wal-Mart, so YMMV. I'd suggest you measure the butt of your rod to make sure it would fit the ID.

My holders are 4', for portability, but I would probably make them 5' if I were able to fish more often. The sand-end is cut at a 45-degree angle with a miter-box, because that's the only way I have to cut a proper angle easily.

I think I found this suggestion on this forum somewhere, but instead of flaring, I just glued a short coupling on the end. This round the edges a bit, and gives some of the benefit of a flare, but is easier. Also, if the coupling breaks when you are hammering it into the sand, it's easy enough to cut off and replace, and you only lose 1" of your spike.

 

[xmatador]

I have used PVC pipes for years. I just buy a 10-foot pipe (I don't remember the diameter. It's either 2 inches or 2.5), cut the pipe in the middle at a angle, and get 2 rod holders. They work great in the sand especially using the "sucking" method and as long as no one watching :spineyes:

PVC pipes don't work well on muddy or clay beaches though. For these types of beaches, I made holders out of fence posts and PVC. I just hammer them into the ground. See pic below.

 

[xmatador]

By the way, no rod is safe if you don't set the drag of your reel light.

 

[mustbgr8full]

Sharkchum

How long is each piece (pipe and angle iron)?

 

[sharkchum]

Sharkchum

How long is each piece (pipe and angle iron)?

The pipe is 24" with a 1 1/2" washer welded on the bottom. The angle in the picture is 48", but all the new ones I make are 36" and I weld it 12" up the pipe so the total Length is 48".