kayak

DIY rod holders for a bass fishing kayak

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A cooler can turn into a tackle crate that carries four rods outside and lots of tackle inside. Want a fish fry? Replace bass tackle with ice and load up on some crappie. PVC pipes have flared tops that make it easy to slide rod handles in behind your seat. A backing strip between the cooler and pipe keeps the flare clear of the cooler lid when you need to get at your tackle. The toughest part of this project is drilling neat holes in the PVC pipe.
A cooler can turn into a tackle crate that carries four rods outside and lots of tackle inside. Want a fish fry? Replace bass tackle with ice and load up on some crappie. PVC pipes have flared tops that make it easy to slide rod handles in behind your seat. A backing strip between the cooler and pipe keeps the flare clear of the cooler lid when you need to get at your tackle. The toughest part of this project is drilling neat holes in the PVC pipe.
Remove lettering from the PVC pipe with steel wool.
Remove lettering from the PVC pipe with steel wool.
Next, flare one end by heating it with a heat gun, carefully pushing it over the top of a glass bottle.
Next, flare one end by heating it with a heat gun, carefully pushing it over the top of a glass bottle.
Dip the flared end in a bucket of water to set.
Dip the flared end in a bucket of water to set.
Determine where you’ll drill your two holes for each holder on the sides of the cooler, making sure the large, flat washer won’t interfere with the cooler top, and measure and mark your PVC pipe. Secure the PVC pipe in a bench vise and drill two 1/4-inch holes through the pipe.
Determine where you’ll drill your two holes for each holder on the sides of the cooler, making sure the large, flat washer won’t interfere with the cooler top, and measure and mark your PVC pipe. Secure the PVC pipe in a bench vise and drill two 1/4-inch holes through the pipe.
Remove the pipe and place a backing strip (use treated wood or high density polyethylene) in the vise. Place pipe over strip and use the PVC holes to guide the drill bit in making 1/4-inch holes in each strip.
Remove the pipe and place a backing strip (use treated wood or high density polyethylene) in the vise. Place pipe over strip and use the PVC holes to guide the drill bit in making 1/4-inch holes in each strip.
With the pipe in the vise, enlarge the holes on one side with a 5/16-inch drill bit, then a 7/16-inch bit and finally a 1/2-inch bit, so the head of the bolt will fit through.
With the pipe in the vise, enlarge the holes on one side with a 5/16-inch drill bit, then a 7/16-inch bit and finally a 1/2-inch bit, so the head of the bolt will fit through.
Place the PVC/backing strip combo against the side of the cooler to determine spacing. Drill through the cooler.
Place the PVC/backing strip combo against the side of the cooler to determine spacing. Drill through the cooler.
Daub marine silicone on the inside and outside of the holes and install your rod holders with a flat washer, lock washer, positioning bolt on the inside of the cooler.
Daub marine silicone on the inside and outside of the holes and install your rod holders with a flat washer, lock washer, positioning bolt on the inside of the cooler.

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