[HandsomeRyan]

As the title indicates- I'd like to see and hear about how others transport fishing equipment on their bicycles? My favorite greenway trail runs parallel to a large creek and I often see some pretty good sized fish in it. I think I'll bring a pole and some bait along and see if I can't get an "up close" look at some of the fish next time I'm over there.

I have a few ideas but I'd like to see how others have 'tackled' this problem...:D:rolleyes:

Thanks,
-Ryan

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[HandsomeRyan]

Okay... a little putzing around in the garage last night and I made a servicable prototype rod holder.

I used
• two wooden dowels (sharpened at one end to add a danger factor!)
• a small piece of 1" thinwalled PVC pipe
• a piece of scrap steel
• zip ties
• electrical tape
• spraypaint*
• "rubber band" made of old innertube
*although this is optional, with how shoddily constructed this thing is it probably helps hold everything together!

Below are some pictures. Let me know if you have any questions.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/IMG_0191.jpg
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/IMG_0192.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/IMG_0193.jpg
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/IMG_0194.jpg
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/IMG_0195.jpg

[Hobartlemagne]

Do you plan on carrying back fish that you catch?

[HandsomeRyan]

Do you plan on carrying back fish that you catch?

You can't eat the fish from the water around here*. It'll be strictly catch and release for me. :(

* I live down-stream from Oak Ridge National Labs, the place where they built the A-bombs used in WWII. It is estimated that the Y-12 plant lost over 1,200,000 (thats right 1.2 million!) pounds of mercury into the ground, water, and air around the plant. It is so bad in some places that when they cut through the cinderblocks to make a new doorway or window in some of the old buildings at the lab, the fresh cuts "bleed" mercury.

[HandsomeRyan]

I found an awesome custom-built steel fishing trailer at a welding forum I post at.

I DID NOT BUILD IT, it was built by someone else (if you have questions you'd have to contact him by following the link)

http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk/showthread.php?t=25810&highlight=Bike+Trailer

I'd say it's a bit heavy but ultra-sturdy. The hitch mechanism is really nice as well.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/trailer1.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/trailer2.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/trailer3.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/trailer4.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/trailer5.jpg

[GGDub]

I just stick all my gear on my BOB and head down the hill to fish the Bow. I fly-fish so my rod and reel come apart and fit into pretty compact cases. We have to catch and release as well, so there's no need to worry about where to stick the fish, even though a small cooler would do fine.

[AllenG]

Very nice rig, Ryan.

[Mr. Jim]

I have a collapsible lightweight rod and reel I bought for backpacking years ago. Rod is only 5 feet long extended but it works for me. Collapsed it is less than a foot and the reel folds small enough to fit in a jersey pocket.

[Catweazle]

Is that a one-piece rod, HandsomeRyan? If it is, or if it's a two or more piece rod that you plan to transport assembled, I'd suggest a rethink is a wise move.


There aren't too many forms of fishing which don't entail, at times, travelling in under rather low hanging foliage and scrub at times to get to fishing spots, and a rod transported upright in that fashion is at risk. A few years back I lost the tip of a much prized rod to a low haging branch whilst transporting it in a hand-hauled Yak Fishing Buddy.

http://www.geng.com/images/thumb/pic_27.jpg (http://www.geng.com/popup/pic_27.html)

I've been very cautious about transporting rods upright since, and suggest you do the same. A favoured rod with nice action is not so nice after losing an inch or two off the tip. It's not too difficult nowadays to find collapsible telescopic rods such as Mr. Jim describes, and they aren't very expensive. Ideal for transporting by bicycle, and there's no need to be restricted to the short rod mentioned above. I have a collapsible which is one of my most favoured and used items in the arsenal, and it extends to 12 feet in length after being only about two feet long when collapsed. It's very strong, very responsive at the tip, and suitable for all sorts of fishing from catching nervous and finicky bream in creeks and lakes to spinning for hefty Australian Salmon off the ocean beach.