Rod storage options for 2019 Outback?

Just went out offshore for the first time, small swell going out, a little bigger coming in, got my Outback sideways but I was able to surf it in and allow the wave to break over me.

Needless to say it got me thinking of alternatives. Had I known I was gonna get that wet, I would've jumped in and swam it to shore.

My main concern was the $600 in graphite I had sticking out of my rod holders. I've seen those Hobie horizontal rod holders, Any experiences with those?

It's clear to me getting wet and losing some gear is part of the game, I'm just trying to narrow down those occurrences as much as possible.

Any other alternatives or tips as much appreciated!

Cheers! - Nick

On my Revo I installed one of the horizontal holders. Mine has one piece that accepts the rod tip and the other end has a rubber strap that secures the butt end of the rod. I used it a few times but didn’t like it because I always felt that my rod would come out of it which it probably wouldn’t because it does hold it securely But I also didn’t like it because on my boat it was installed on the same side as my steering lever and it didn’t interfere in any way with the steering but It was just annoying touching it and my steering lever at the same time.

Now I use the molded in rod holders and leash my rods.
~JOE~

Hmmmm, I was skeptical about them falling out as well. I have steering on both sides so that may not be as much of an issue.

Nickrivers, if you are toting $600 of fishing rods around in your kayak, you should certainly strap them down horizontally when going through the surf zone. I stow my rods horizontally, and my rods are just Ugly Sticks, which I like a lot even though they only cost about forty bucks each. I mount my rods horizontally in the Hobie tip protector and rod grabber, and it works fine.

In addition to strapping your rods and net down horizontally, consider reducing the amount of gear which sticks up above the gunwales of your kayak by tossing your rod holders and fish finder inside your kayak before you venture into the surf zone.

Pmmpete,

I hear you. I gave away my cheaper rods to some local kids to get them into the sport, now I’ve decluttered substantially to just my higher end stuff. You take 2-4 high end rods out and you might be better off in a casino. Might have to go back to Ugly Stik, most of my rods are 1-piece

Great question Nick! I'm beginning to do more offshore fishing in my kayak. It's something that has really taken off here it Texas. I've been looking to to upgrade from my PA 14 but see the same issue with the newer Outbacks. I don't like the horizontal rod holders because your reels are guaranteed to be saturated in the water. At least in my PA I have the internal rod holders that really helps. One thing I've been looking at is Hobie has the adjustable rod extenders that are solid and would allow you to angle your rods towards the back at a low enough angle where flipping the yak hopefully wouldn't break them. You could add more adjustable rod holders on gear tracks or Scotty mount and do the same thing with any additional rods.

This seems like an issue that I should've seen sooner, but I'm pretty surprised there's not that much chatter about it.

I know in some of the other boats there's a center hatch that you can stow rods in, but I can't get enough of an angle in my Outback hatch.
Outback being more narrow than the PA doesn't really have much space for a internal rack or anything close to that.

I hear you on the horizontal storage though, I thought about modding the other paddle holder on my Outback for some sort of rack, but your pretty much asking to brine your reels.

Guess I'll have to pick up some ice fishing rods?

Cheers - Nick