Because Your Rods Deserve Better Than a Tangle in the Backseat

If you fish and wheel, you already know: your gear takes a beating.

Whether you’re chasing bass at a backwoods lake or hauling down to a remote river in your rig, one thing’s certain—if you don’t store your fishing gear right, it won’t last. Rods snap. Reels get sandblasted. Tackle turns into rusted scrap.

At Big Dick Offroad, we see too many good rigs with trashed gear bouncing around in the back. So here’s what you need to know to keep your fishing setup tight—even when the trail gets gnarly.

1. Rod Storage: Secure It or Snap It

Your rods are precision tools—not broomsticks. Shoving them under a seat or across the dash? Bad move. One wrong bump and you’ve got a broken tip or worse.

Better options:

• Roof rack rod holders – Secure and trail-proof.

• Rod tubes or hard cases – Great for long hauls or fly rods.

• In-rig rod mounts – If you’re running a van or truck buildout, custom holders keep rods safe and out of the way.

Bottom line: Treat your rods like a rifle—clean, dry, and properly stored.

2. Reels Need TLC Too

Dirt, sand, and moisture are reel killers. If you’re off-roading through dust or rain and just tossing reels loose in the back, you’re asking for corrosion.

Do this:

• Loosen drags before storage

• Rinse with freshwater after every muddy or salty trip

• Store in padded cases or clean tackle bags

• Drop a silica pack in the box to fight moisture

Pro tip: Keep a backup reel sealed in a ziplock with a few essentials, just in case you blow one up mid-trip.

3. Tackle Management: Less Is More on the Trail

You don’t need a full-on tackle shop rolling around in your truck bed. When off-roading to fishing spots, weight and organization matter.

Smart move:

• Use compact utility boxes with clear labels

• Break it down by target species or water type

• Keep a grab-and-go “trail kit” for quick missions

Avoid: overloading the rig with 30 pounds of gear you’ll never use. Travel lean, fish smart.

4. Moisture Is the Enemy

Fishing means water. Off-roading means mud. Combine the two and your gear can become a science experiment if you don’t dry it out.

Remember:

• Never seal wet gear in a bag or box

• Pop open tackle trays after trips

• Hang rods and waders in a ventilated space

• Dry your soft plastics or they’ll melt into each other like some mutant glob

Bonus tip: If you’ve got a rig with storage compartments, add vent holes or moisture-wicking liners.

5. Custom Storage = Off-Road Dominance

You’ve spent real money building your rig—why treat your gear like an afterthought?

If you’re serious about combining fishing and off-roading:

• Build out drawer systems

• Mount rod tubes inside your topper or canopy

• Add a battery-powered light and charging station for night missions

• Use MOLLE panels to keep tools, line, and extras in check

A clean setup means faster gear access, less damage, and a more badass backcountry fishing rig.

Final Word

Look—at Big Dick Offroad, we’re not about babying gear, but we do believe in taking care of what works hard for you. Your fishing setup should be trail-ready, organized, and tough enough to ride shotgun on any off-road mission.

Secure it. Dry it. Protect it. Then hit the dirt and go find the water that nobody else can reach.

Big Dick Offroad. Built to haul. Geared to fish. Ready for anything.