Innovative Fishing Rod Rack for Vehicles
The Rodezi Rack Story
The Rodezi Rack was invented by Kyran Sprott. The design came about when our mate bought a new 4WD with a nudge bar and had no way of attaching a “rocket launcher”, and could not find anything else to carry his fishing rods on his regular trips to Morton and Fraser Island.
He said “Sprotty, make me something that works”. The conversation that followed involved a few beers and Bundies, a couple of coasters and a pen: the idea was coming together. The next day the work started in earnest. Kyran was in the shed every day after work. He glued a few water pipe connections together attached another pipe to add height so that the rods and reels would clear the bonnet of the vehicle. He then needed a clamp of some kind to attach it to the bar (75mm). Many options were investigated and a final design was formulated. A provisional patent application was lodged at the end of January.
During the following months prototypes were being produced and upgraded regularly, new ideas were tried, bits and pieces were purchased and things were cut, glued and/or welded to something else. 3Di Design drew up the Rodezi Rack and smoothed the corners off. A standard patent application was then filed. A prototype was then produced (literally carved out of a block of plastic).
How it Works
- The clamp is used to secure it to a bulbar or nudge bar. Designed to suit a 75mm bar and made of a black plastic composition. It is made up of two sections that bolt together over a bar. It has three different sized inserts that may be put to lower the size so that it fits bars between 45mm (1 3/4") and 75mm (3"). When installed, the rod holder may be turned towards the vehicle to ensure it does not protrude front of the bull bar. The clamp has a cone-lock system that, when unscrewed, allows the adjustable post to be removed. (Fishing rod holders are not authorised to be placed on cars when they do not contain rods).
- The adjustable post - which allows you to alter the height and orientation of the rod holder - is made up of many pieces. To begin, the higher and lower posts are made of anodized aluminium, and the upper post moves within the lower post. On top of the bottom post is another cone-lock device. When the cone-lock is unscrewed, the top post may be adjusted to the desired height and then tightened to keep it in place. There is a stopper at the bottom of the higher post that allows it to be located within the lower post and prevents it from being dragged through the top of the lower post. The rods may be carried above the line of sight for the driver and passenger of the vehicle, making the ride safer and more comfortable for all vehicle occupants.
- The Rod Holder is used to secure the valuable fish catchers. Is also a black plastic compound that protects rods and reels from scratches and considerably decreases the chance of pedestrian harm.
- The rods are held in place by 'V' shaped cut-outs at the top and bottom of the tubes, allowing the rods to be carried with the reels on top or bottom. The V provides for the effective transport of reels of various sizes. The lower half of the rod holder has a cone-lock to accommodate the higher post.
- When the cone-lock on either the rod holder or the clamp is undone, the rod holder can swivel 360 degrees. The rods can therefore be entered from the front of the car, swung around, fastened in place, and easily secured at the other end. When removing the rods, the opposite is done. If the car is parked on a beach, the rod holder with rods is easily rotated to the front and tackle and hooks can be worked on before being taken from the vehicle. The rods are always conveniently available at all times.