Vehicle Modifications??

[Captain Ahab]

I have a 1993 Chevy Lumina APV (mini van) that i intend to modify into an ultimate fishing vehicle. 1st project will be rod holders probably on the interior ceiling

What have you done to modify your vehicle to make it fishing friendly?

 

[Ouachita]

Is this what you are envisioning????

 

[SVNET]

I am in the same process with my Geo Tracker.

I already removed the two back seat and I have other ideas on the works, but
will also benefits from other ideas here so lets see where I end up with this thing.

I did see the ultimate fishing mobile one time at Cedar Key, an old scooter that looked
like a square vespa.

Man it was loaded with everything fishing that you could posibly think of that was need.

Due to gas prices I am also thinking of making my motorcycle fish friendly, that way
I kill to bird with one stone, go for a nice bike ride to end up at a lake and relax fishing...

Come one people, lets get those brains thinking....

 

[SlimeTime]

My truck has a contractor style shell on it. I keep a moving pad on the floor, so I pretty much just toss gear in the back & go. Interesting thread, I'll be anxious to see what some guys do. Honestly never given much thought to it #-o

ST

 

[FishingCop]

Years ago I had a ford econoline 150 (work style) Had two rod holders on the driver's side wall, an army cot, all my gear and a 12' flat bottom aluminum roped down on the roof cariers. Went everywhere. Parked on a flat surface or incline, removed the battery to hook up the trolling motor (Minn Kota variable speed). Went everywhere, slept in in for overnight fishing, etc. Rolled the van (or pushed it) when the battery went dead, poped the clutch and away I went :lol:

 

[ben2go]

I added a class III/V hitch from https://www.hitchmart.com to my 2001 Ford Ranger. :mrgreen:

 

[SlimeTime]

Years ago I had a ford econoline 150 (work style) Had two rod holders on the driver's side wall, an army cot, all my gear and a 12' flat bottom aluminum roped down on the roof cariers. Went everywhere. Parked on a flat surface or incline, removed the battery to hook up the trolling motor (Minn Kota variable speed). Went everywhere, slept in in for overnight fishing, etc. Rolled the van (or pushed it) when the battery went dead, poped the clutch and away I went :lol:

A van is a handy fishing rig. I have a buddy I catfish with on occasion who has a custom van. It makes it nice to be able to get a nap when needed. I worked from a van for years, some people claim they can't stand driving them, but you get used to it. I sure wouldn't mind having another, smaller van, like an Astro or similar. I'm gonna have to do something before long, the MPG in my truck stinks :shock:

ST

 

[SVNET]

Gas prices stinks...

The thing with vans is that they can be as bad as a truck with Gas...

We were looking into getting my wife a van for the kids and the easy in/out access factor, but
a for windstar only gives about 14mi to the gal, that is as bad as my ex Ford F150. It gas prices,
you need at least 21+ miles/gal IN CITY ( I did not mean 14/21).

But then, what vehicle out there is going to provide enough power to move a big boat to long distance and
at the same time be good on Gas.

So for the fishing lover, either move close to the river or you settle down for a very small and light boat that can be pull with a regular car. Also note that pulling a boat can bring a 21mi/gal vehicle to 14mi/gal easily...

Gas prices is making everything so much difficult...

I went to the supermarket a few days ego, I noticed everything has gone up at least .29 cents more.

The wine I used to get for $4.99, now is $5.29. The craft cheese singles, used to be $2.99, now is $3.29...

Where is this going to take us ? Is there an end to it ?

But then again, we are still way ahead of the curve compared to other countries... so why complain...

 

[Captain Ahab]

So, has anyone added things to their car, van, truck, bicycle, motor scooter or dog sled that makes fishing life a little better?

I am looking for ideas on how to add rod holders to the interior ceiling to start. But woudl welcome any other ideas

right now the rods are on the floor and the other stuff is in crates around them, if i can get stuff in a safe place it would be nice to always have a few rods handy in "case" I pass by a fishy looking pond or large puddle :mrgreen:

 

[Nickk]

you mean something like this?
https://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/...le&cm_pla=auto fishing rod rack&cm_ite=netcon

a guy on Ultimate Bass decked out his small van for fishing, he built storage boxes and such in the back. I'll try to find that thread.

 

[Bubba]

you mean something like this?
https://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/...le&cm_pla=auto fishing rod rack&cm_ite=netcon

I fished with a guy that drove a van and he had that same setup in his van. Not sure if it was the same brand or not, but that same idea. Seemed really handy to get them up out of the way, and out of the floor where they risk getting broke by other things sliding around.

 

[Nickk]

*edit
make that a Hyundai Santa Fe

https://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-forum/index.php?topic=30598.msg449202#msg449202

 

[heavy-chevy]

i have rod holders in my bed.

 

[Popeye]

My dad used these rivited to a couple 1" strips of aluminum.

https://www.boatersworld.com/product/477665269.htm?bct=%3Bcirod-holders-and-racks

He would push the strips between the headliner and the plastic trim. Worked great for lighter fods but the larger ones caused the strips to bow downward. He resolved that by moving them to one side rather than in the middle. With these, they are removable and adjustable for the length of the rods being carried.

I want to get and modify an old bread or potato chip truck. You could have lockers for your gear and even a water tank for cleaning fish in the sink and even a shower if you wanted. I don't want one with the roll up door because with the side by side doors you can mount things on the doors for storage as well.