6 Best Fishing Gear Packing Solutions for RVers That Maximize Every Inch
For RV anglers, smart storage is key. Explore 6 solutions to pack your fishing gear efficiently, keeping rods and tackle secure and maximizing your space.
You’ve just pulled into the perfect lakeside campsite, the water is like glass, and the fish are practically jumping. You reach into your RV’s pass-through bay to grab your favorite rod, only to find it tangled with camp chairs, a grimy sewer hose, and another rod with a broken tip. The dream of a quick evening cast dissolves into 20 minutes of frustrating untangling, a classic RVer-angler dilemma that can be solved with a smart storage strategy.
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Solving Angler Storage Challenges in an RV
The core problem with fishing gear is its awkwardness. Rods are long and delicate. Tackle boxes are bulky and heavy. Waders and nets are often wet, muddy, and smell like a fish’s last meal. Simply tossing this equipment into a storage bay is a recipe for broken gear, a dirty rig, and a whole lot of pre-fishing frustration.
A good storage system isn’t just about cramming things in; it’s about protection, access, and containment. Your expensive graphite rods need to be shielded from bangs and bumps. You need to grab your go-to lure without emptying an entire cabinet. And you absolutely must have a place for wet, mucky gear that keeps it separate from your clean living space. The right solution is often a hybrid approach, combining interior, exterior, and basement storage to create a workflow that gets you on the water faster.
Berkley Twist Lock for Interior Rod Storage
For the RVer with a few favorite rods, interior storage is often the simplest and most secure option. The Berkley Twist Lock Rod Rack is a perfect example of an effective, low-cost solution. It consists of two simple mounts: a base that holds the rod butt and a locking foam gripper for the upper section. You can mount these horizontally on a wall or, even better, vertically on the ceiling to use space that is otherwise completely wasted.
Keep your fishing rods organized and protected with the Berkley Twist Lock Rod Rack. It securely stores up to four rods with soft foam grips and mounts easily on walls, ceilings, or boats.
This approach has two major advantages: security and protection. Your rods are inside your locked RV, safe from thieves and the elements. They aren’t getting baked in the sun, covered in road grime, or rattling around in a storage bay. Installation takes about five minutes with a drill, and you have instant, eye-level access to your gear.
Of course, there are tradeoffs. This isn’t a solution for the angler carrying ten different setups, as it would quickly clutter your living space. It also means you’re bringing fishing gear, however clean, directly into your home. But for the weekend warrior or the full-timer who wants their two or three primary rods protected and ready at a moment’s notice, it’s an unbeatable, budget-friendly choice.
Thule Rodvault ST: Secure Rooftop Rod Carrier
Safely transport up to four fully rigged fly rods up to 10ft with the Thule RodVault 2. Its durable, corrosion-resistant aluminum construction and lockable, padded reel box protect your gear, while large internal openings accommodate big guides.
When you have high-value gear or simply want to keep rods out of the living space entirely, an exterior carrier is the answer. The Thule Rodvault ST is a top-tier option, essentially a fortified, lockable tube that mounts to your RV’s roof rack. It’s designed to hold multiple rods—fully rigged with reels attached—so you can pull up to the river, unlock the vault, and be casting in under a minute.
The primary benefit here is unmatched protection and convenience. The aircraft-grade aluminum tube and heavy-duty lock keep your expensive fly rods or saltwater combos safe from both theft and damage on the road. By keeping them fully rigged, you eliminate the daily chore of stringing guides and tying on leaders. This frees up a massive amount of interior and pass-through space for other essentials.
This level of performance comes at a price. The Rodvault is a significant investment and requires a sturdy roof rack for mounting. It also adds to your rig’s overall height, a critical consideration for navigating low-hanging branches or bridges. This is the ideal solution for the serious, dedicated angler who values speed and security above all else and sees their fishing gear as an investment worth protecting.
Plano EDGE Boxes for Compact Tackle Management
Organize and protect your tackle with the Plano EDGE 3700. This waterproof box features Rustrictor technology and a clear DuraView lid for easy content identification.
The classic, all-in-one, fold-out tackle box is a space-wasting disaster in an RV. The modern, efficient approach is a modular system, and the Plano EDGE series is the gold standard. These are specialized, gasket-sealed utility boxes with features designed for serious organization, like pre-separated dividers, clear lids for easy identification, and a proprietary Rustrictor technology to prevent hook corrosion.
Instead of one giant, disorganized box, you create a library of tackle. You might have one EDGE box for crankbaits, another for soft plastics, and a third for terminal tackle. These slim, stackable boxes can be neatly arranged in a cabinet, under a dinette seat, or in a small section of a storage bay. This system is incredibly efficient.
The real magic happens on fishing day. You don’t haul your entire collection to the water. You simply grab the two or three specific boxes you need for the target species and put them in a small shoulder bag. This "grab-and-go" method not only saves space in the RV but makes you a more organized and effective angler on the water.
KastKing V10 Rack for Pass-Through Bays
Your RV’s pass-through bay, or "basement," is prime real estate for fishing rods, but it can quickly turn into a tangled mess. The KastKing V10 Rod Rack, originally designed for boats, is a brilliant adaptation for this space. It’s a simple, wall-mounted rack with foam inserts that holds up to 10 rods vertically, keeping them separated and secure.
This wall-mounted rack stores 10 fishing rod combos and features a patent-pending spooling station to easily load spinning and casting reels without line twist. It includes a shelf for tools and two Line Boss tension bands for precise line application.
By mounting a V10 rack against the back wall of your pass-through, you transform a chaotic pile into an organized rod locker. Rods are held upright and apart, preventing guide damage and line tangles. You can slide bins and other gear in front of them without fear of snapping a delicate rod tip. It’s a perfect middle-ground solution—it keeps rods out of the living space and off the roof while offering excellent protection and organization.
This system works best in pass-throughs with enough vertical height to accommodate your longest one-piece rod. For two-piece rods, it’s even easier. It’s a relatively inexpensive upgrade that pays huge dividends in gear protection and reduced frustration, making it one of the most practical mods an RVing angler can make.
CleverMade Bins for Wet Waders and Boots
One of the biggest headaches is managing wet gear. Where do you put muddy wading boots and dripping waders without turning your RV floor into a swamp? The answer is a collapsible, waterproof bin like the CleverMade Collapsible Storage Bin.
Organize and save space with these durable, collapsible 62L storage bins. Featuring ergonomic handles and a stackable, interlocking design, they fold flat for easy storage and hold up to 100 lbs.
These brilliant containers are the perfect "airlock" for your wet gear. Keep one collapsed in an exterior compartment or your tow vehicle. When you get off the water, pop it open and toss your wet boots, waders, and landing net inside. The durable, waterproof material contains all the mud, water, and fish slime, keeping your vehicle and RV pristine.
Once you’re back at camp, you can carry the whole bin to a spigot to rinse your gear (and the bin itself) out. The best part? After everything is dry and put away, the bin collapses down to just a few inches thick, taking up virtually no storage space. It’s a simple, elegant solution to the persistent and messy problem of wet equipment.
Let’s Go Aero GearSpace for Bulk Hauling
For the angler whose passion borders on obsession, sometimes you just need more space. If you’re hauling float tubes, multiple oversized tackle bags, crab pots, and a full arsenal of rods, a hitch-mounted cargo carrier is the ultimate solution. The Let’s Go Aero GearSpace is a prime example—a massive, 34-cubic-foot enclosed carrier that functions as a mobile gear garage.
Unlike a rooftop box, the GearSpace sits at a convenient height on your rear hitch, making it easy to load and unload heavy or bulky items. It completely isolates all your fishing equipment from your living quarters. This is where you put the smelly, the wet, and the bulky, preserving your RV’s interior for living, not storing.
This is a max-capacity solution with clear tradeoffs. It adds significant length to your overall rig, which impacts maneuverability and parking. It’s also a major investment. But for the full-time RVer who fishes for multiple species in all seasons, the ability to have a dedicated, secure, and weatherproof locker for all of their gear is a game-changer that makes small-space living sustainable.
Choosing Your Ideal RV Fishing Gear Setup
There is no single "best" setup; the right combination of storage solutions depends entirely on your angling style. The goal is to build a system that fits your specific needs, protecting your gear while maximizing your living space. Don’t feel pressured to adopt one massive solution when a few smaller, targeted ones will do.
To find your ideal setup, ask yourself a few key questions:
- Volume: Are you carrying two rods or twelve? This will determine if you can get by with an interior rack or need an exterior carrier.
- Value: Is your gear a collection of budget-friendly combos or high-end investments? This dictates your need for security, like a locking Thule vault.
- Frequency: Are you a daily angler who needs instant access, or a casual hobbyist who can spend a few minutes setting up?
- Type: Is your gear relatively clean freshwater tackle, or are you dealing with salty, sandy, and messy saltwater equipment?
Start small. Implement the modular tackle boxes and a collapsible bin first—these are low-cost, high-impact changes for any RVer. From there, assess your rod storage needs. A simple interior rack might be all you ever need. If you find yourself constantly tripping over rods or wishing for more space, then it’s time to consider a larger investment like a rooftop or hitch-mounted carrier. The perfect system is one that evolves with you, making it easier to get out and do what you love.
Ultimately, smart storage is about removing friction between you and the water. A well-organized system protects your investment, keeps your small home clean, and gives you back precious time that is better spent with a line in the water, not untangling one in a messy storage bay.
