How do you carry all your gear around (from car to water and back)?

Hey all

So I think everyone has a good idea of how most of us transport our gear around in the car (large plastic bins, duffel bags, etc) as well as storing it.

I was curious what your "systems" are for actually carrying all your gear around though specifically between the car and water when launching or packing up. Especially if you have PVC/ABS rod holders as well as a fish finder setup (not like a Deeper Pro+ but more like a Garmin, Lowrance, etc where a separate battery is required), 3~ rods, a net, tackle, etc...
The zipper pockets on my Outcast Super Fat Cat are secured at the ends with velcro, and I've had a bunch of stuff fall out of them while walking from the car to the water (just ask Alakai about it lol). I realize the minimalists will chime in and say "just don't bring all that" but I know some of you have just as much if not more gear than I do so the question's for *you* guys LOL!

I think someone (maybe it was Jerdon?) mentioned bringing along a 5gal bucket to initially carry stuff, then throwing it right behind the seat in the back area. I like that idea too.

I use 3600 or 3700 size Planno Boxes in the cargo pockets of the float tube, those never fall out. I put my FishinBuddy, stripping apron rolled up, fishing net, and my thermos in the 5 gallon bucket. The tube on my back, the bucket in one hand, and rods in the other. It is a little busy but it only takes one trip.

I have a dry bag I use to hold my fishfinder and fins, all my tackle is in my tackle boxes and the rods I lay flat on the boat. Then I grab the side handles and head on out for some fun. It is always a process to get everything together and to the water. This a good question who else has anything to add.

Jerdon wrote:I use 3600 or 3700 size Planno Boxes in the cargo pockets of the float tube, those never fall out. I put my FishinBuddy, stripping apron rolled up, fishing net, and my thermos in the 5 gallon bucket. The tube on my back, the bucket in one hand, and rods in the other. It is a little busy but it only takes one trip.

I just inflated the tube and set everything up... what a chore! I figure the more you do it the easier it gets though lol. I realized too that my pump seemed weird - it took longer to pump up and then at some point the handle detached from the shaft! I think that was the problem. Hopefully this isn't a long-term issue as it seems the threads might be getting stripped. Anyway, back to the topic at hand: I think I'm going to go with your method.... I dumped all the junk into a 5gal bucket (and it barely fits): fish finder stuff, ABS rod holder sections, apron, and who knows what else when I actually head out. The net is questionable - I'll have to think about that one. The other thing is the fins - not sure where to hang those but probably somewhere off the tube while carrying. I hooked up the rod holder system as I normally would then recalled I asked Alakai if he attaches his rod holders and carries or if he does that after (he said he does the former). Last time I found myself making at least two trips to the car with all the junk I had.

jeffcpr wrote:I have a dry bag I use to hold my fishfinder and fins, all my tackle is in my tackle boxes and the rods I lay flat on the boat.  Then I grab the side handles and head on out for some fun.  It is always a process to get everything together and to the water.  This a good question who else has anything to add.

Do you have rod holders that can strap the rods down while you carry? I think mine has horizontal holders but knowing how unaware I can be (street signs, tree branches, etc) I'd be afraid of carrying the tube with the rods attached lol.

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I keep my rod racks on all the time.
I have a strap for my fins on one side.  They act as a counter balance to my rod racks.


Here is an old pic

No rod rack for me at this time, but my boat is flat so I can lay them across as I head out. On my Flatform I have a rod rack and when I would take it to the water I would leave the rods in the rack standing up. Never had a problem but did need to plan my route a little just to be safe.

Rod Holders are attached to the float tube and stuff are in the pockets. I carry it like a backpack
Fins, Net and rods are on my hard tray and carried like a pizza box to the launch area

If I had the battery and stuff you did I would probably order a dry bag or just a large duffel bag to carry your stuff down and then just squish it into another pocket or something

Great question!

I have leashes on my fins and so I leash my fins together and I wear them yoked around my neck where they hang down in front of me.
I put all my tackle in either (2) two antique rubber-maid celery keeps or in plastic sandwich keepers that snap-locked so that nothing falls out.
My Deeper Pro+ is inside the cup holder tethered to my ABS rod rack which is always attached to my float tube.
I carry my hard lap tray and (3) three rods balanced in my left hand.
I stand my Cumberland float tube up on-end with the pointed end up, I place my right shoulder inside the bladders and then I wedge (lock) my right shoulder, elbow and wrist between the two bladders and stand up straight. Very easy walking at any distance.

SP Dan     <"))><

Most of my stuff is in the tube bags or strapped to it for me. Fins, anchor and any othe misc in a 5 gallon bucket. My rods in one hand, float tube on backstraps and bucket across shoulders with a rope i replaced the handle with.

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No bucket, fish finder/battery. If I can't fit it in the two removable compartments it doesn't go. Small rod rack strapped in..........I carry my 3 rods, tray. Back pack my tube. If I were to take all my gear I would need a boat......target you species, take only lures that catch fish. HUB's, finger tape, fish scent, multi tool, all in one Tupperware tray. I have packed my tube with Jerdon at Perris when lake was low. That at times almost killed me. Lesson learned..........GT