How to Build a Fishing Rod Rack

A handsome, handmade fishing rod rack is an excellent project for an angler who is also a do-it-yourself enthusiast. Whether your intent is simple storage, or whether you want to display a collection of antique rods, you can make your own custom rack with just a few simple materials. The rack described in this guide will display your rods horizontally, so you'll need to make two identical pieces to support the rods.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Unfinished wooden curtain rod brackets Paint or stain 2-inch wood screws 3-inch wall screws 1 x 6 board, 6 or 8 feet long (at least one of these) Screwdriver Saw Carpenter's pencil Tape measure
Unfinished wooden curtain rod brackets
Paint or stain
2-inch wood screws
3-inch wall screws
1 x 6 board, 6 or 8 feet long (at least one of these)
Screwdriver
Saw
Carpenter's pencil
Tape measure

Step 1

Choose a spot for the rack. You will need a section of wall that is at least a foot wider than the length of your fishing rods (when laid out horizontally). You will also want at least 4 feet of vertical space for the rod rack.

Step 2

Determine the size of your fishing rod rack. You should leave 6 inches of space between each wooden bracket. If your brackets are 3 inches tall and you wish to display four fishing rods, your rack will need to be 30 inches tall, with a bracket flush to the top and the bottom.

Step 3

Cut the wood for the frame. You'll need to cut two identical pieces from the 1 x 6 board. The dimensions of the sections you cut will depend on the measurements you took in Step 2.

Step 4

Mark the boards. Using the above guidelines, mark on both boards where your brackets will attach to the frame. Make sure your markings match up perfectly on both sections.

Step 5

Connect the brackets to the frames, following the marks you made. Some brackets come with self-mounting hardware. This is not recommended. Rather, drive at least two 2-inch screws into each bracket from one side of the frame. Make sure each screw sits flush, as this side of the frame will rest against your wall.

Step 6

Decorate your rack. Paint or stain will give your rack a uniform appearance, as well as protect it from wear and tear. Be sure to consider the colors of the rods you wish to display before choosing the color for your rack.

Step 7

Mount the rack by making a line at the 6-foot-high spot on your wall. This will vary depending on the size of your rack. Align the top end of both sections of the rack to this marking and affix the rack to the wall using 3-inch screws. Leave the gap between the halves of the rack adequate for the rods you wish to display. For an artistic display, you can offset the two sections by a few inches so that your rods rest at a slight angle.

Tips & Warnings

Always wear eye protection when using power tools. Measure twice and cut once.

Always wear eye protection when using power tools.

Measure twice and cut once.

Article Written By Beau Prichard

Beau Prichard has been a freelance writer and editor since 1999. He specializes in fiction, travel and writing coaching. He has traveled in the United Kingdom, Europe, Mexico and Australia. Prichard grew up in New Zealand and holds a Bachelor of Arts in writing from George Fox University.

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