This week, whilst on the beach I have had a couple of anglers ask me about the rod rest I am using. To my knowledge there is nothing like it available on the market therefore it requires a little DIY but the basic component can be picked up surprisingly cheaply.
I have fixed a small clip to the centre pole, on here I hang a bucket half filled with water, this to make the entire item very stable even with two rods when fully extended. The supporting arms are handy for hanging a gaff, as I have here, or ready baited traces. The water is very useful for washing sand from the groves of break out sinkers ready to reset them. Of course this is also where to store the catch.
The best part about using the tripod rod rest is there is no need to crane your neck for the entire session looking at the rod tip, usually some five metres up. The body of this rod rest is a video photography camera tripod. These frequently pop up (no pun intended) on Trademe, as the seller wishes to keep the very expensive part the camera fixes to and pans on, the tripod legs do not fetch a lot of money.
It's easy to make and fix the part the rods lean on as the tripod will have a 10mm or 3/8th bolt thread protruding at the top, I used a piece of aluminium angle. Depending on the shape of the legs (they may not be round) it's also easy to make and fix the part for the cups and by using a wing nut to secure the cross piece, it can easily be removable.
Why use a video tripod? Well first it is heavier duty than those for a standard camera. However, here is the really clever part: as it's for taking videos, by cranking the small handle, the centre pole can be extended to give the rod tip a little more lift for a bigger surf. See below.
Finally, and this really is a huge bonus, if you have a small car like mine (a Suzuki Swift) this rod rest folds up really small, is very light and it's so easy to carry. Don't take my word for it ... look at this picture.
Re: Tripod Rod Rest.
Posted by ABU Man on 19/1/2015, 6:16 am, in reply to "Tripod Rod Rest."
What a great idea and me with a tripod in the cupboard that hasn't been sued in years.
Re: Tripod Rod Rest.
Posted by Naki-Fisher on 21/1/2015, 12:39 pm, in reply to "Tripod Rod Rest."
I have now given this rod rest several runs and I can honestly say I am delighted by its performance. As already mentioned in the opening post the greatest advantage is no longer am I craning my neck to look at the rod tip, to have the rods on a lower plane is much more comfortable and makes it far easier to pick up on even the smallest take.
Because it folds down it is easy to carry and because it is aluminium it is really light. With the shape, or the configuration of a tripod, it is easy to hang the extras in position, a baited trace or a towel. It is only when the rods are used in the higher position with the rod's butt resting in the cups, I then need to be safe and suspend a bucket of water underneath to act as an anchor. However, this works to my advantage being able to wash my hands, thaw frozen bait, rinse breakout sinkers and hold the catch.
When watching videos of the European sea angling match and tournament scene, I couldn't work out why everyone uses tripod rod rests. Well now not only can I understand but I fully support the idea. This won't ever replace the sand pump idea for when fishing close to the surf on a sandy beach, but it sure as hell replaces the standard vertical rod rest that can be a sod to get into Hawke's Bay's stony beaches.
I would recommend the tripod to any serious angler, you need only use it once to find the advantages of which there are many. By the way, they work extremely well if fishing from rocks. Each leg is individually adjustable for length so there is no reason whatsoever why the rods cannot be set at any required angle.
Re: Tripod Rod Rest.
Posted by ABU Man on 22/1/2015, 6:15 am, in reply to "Tripod Rod Rest."
There is a buying spree going on for camera tripods at "Trademe". What have you started?
I am getting married on Saturday, why do you think I made the tripod before the event? I also stocked up on very necessary hooks, swivels, trace and shock leader, I thought this best before the happy day, I couldn't see her understanding me requesting items such as these for wedding presents.
Why can't women be a little more understanding? Now she is talking about a honeymoon!!! For Gawd's sake I am seventy-two, they haven't invented a rod rest for that particular piece of equipment yet ... upright or tripod.
on 17/1/2015, 4:13 pm
