Rod Huggers

It’s a silly name, I know, but these easy-to-make rod-storage solutions act like nice, warm hugs for your two-piece rods.

The rod hugger snugs the two pieces tightly together with a soft elastic band. In addition to keeping the rods together on the walks to and from the water, it prevents them from knocking around as you drive to and from your fishing spots. Plus, it helps keep the pieces together in your garage or basement. I can’t be the only angler who’s had to frantically search for the top section of a rod before a fishing trip.

I first saw fishermen using rod huggers on Lake Ontario tributaries to transport their broken-down centerpin setups to and from the river. I asked my friend, Giao Ba Ria, where I could buy some since I’d been using (and losing/breaking) rubber bands to keep my two-piece rods together in transport. He told me to make them, and showed me his own homemade version made with just a hair tie, a wooden bead, and some colored yarn.

Materials

• Elastic hair ties (for medium-thick hair)
• Wooden craft beads
• Yarn
• 12 inches of heavy monofilament

Step 1:

To start, take four 6-inch lengths of yarn and double them to make a loop. Attach the yarn to the elastic hair tie with a catspaw knot, snugging them down tightly. This tassel will prevent the wooden bead from sliding off the end of the hair tie. Plus, it adds a little flair and makes the rod hugger easier to find.

Step 2:

Next, thread the mono through the wooden bead, through the hair tie, and back through the bead. Grab both ends of the monofilament and pull the hair tie through the bead. It should be a snug fit.

Step 3:

Grab both ends of the monofilament and pull the hair tie through the bead. It should be a snug fit. That’s it. Make two for each two-piece rod, attaching one at the tip and one at the butt.