For some, fishing is the ultimate zen art form. The gurgling of streams and rushing of raging rivers gives peace and enlightenment. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to ruin that happiness by forgetting your flies or extra fishing equipment.
Is there a way to modify your truck for fishing? Absolutely! A great number of aftermarket products can be added to your pickup truck to make it the ultimate rig for fishing.
Making your truck into an agile, dependable vehicle with all the fishing bells and whistles can make your head spin. Don’t worry! Read on and unearth some of the upgrades to make your fishing truck heaven on Earth.
Best Truck Rod Holders
When you start putting together a truck like this, the most important place is the bed. The number of covers and storage systems available for every truck size is enough to overwhelm you. The first thing to add to your bed should be rod holders.
Rod holders come in almost every configuration for your truck. They can be mounted on the roof or even on the hood. Since the bed is our building point, it makes sense that we should start there. Depending on your truck bed size, you can pick either horizontal or vertically mounted rod holders.Best truck holders include:
Berkley 6 rod
This vertically mounted six pole holder has foam inserts that protect the poles as you move. One of the best features of this model is the heavy-duty non-corrosive plastic that makes up the bodies. Having a material that can stand up to saltwater and wind is a great idea.
Raximus Adjustable
Easily one of the most user-friendly models on the market, the Raximus also comes in three sharp colors. This set comes with a lifetime guarantee and has its own patented technology, called Keeper Clip. These keeper clips secure your rods and reels in place, ensuring that they aren’t damaged during transit.
Viking Solutions
This vertically mounted 10 pole rack is one for the ages. It is made from stainless aluminum and can also be used to attach your rods on the wall. Viking also sends multiple ties to make sure that the rack is immovable when in service. This model was designed for rugged use and also has flared openings for easy insertion of rods.
Brocraft Aluminum Clamp
This super-secure set of rod holders has the aluminum-made tracks and nylon inserts to handle your rods with care. It is horizontally mounted, which means that you would still have room to add more gadgets to the bed liner. The C clamps on this set are the most significant asset. They can lock down several different sizes of rod with delicate force.
If you’re interesting in making your own fishing rod holder, check this video out:
Best Bed Light Kits
The advent of LED lights has made almost every metal surface capable of holding a light source. One excellent upgrade for your fishing truck would be a light kit for the bed. These lights are just beginning to take off, but have some elegant options for a fisher.
Fishing either works best at sun up or sundown. Having a set of dependable lights inside your truck means that you have a brightly lit area to organize gear. It would make a sweet spot to clean and gut fish at the end of the day.
LivTee 60″ White LED
This handy set of LEDs has a glue on the back ridge, so you can mount them on any flat surface. You can get each corner illuminated and ready for usage if you place them around the lip of the bed. These lights are going to be bright and white. If you feel like you need another color, these can be bought in almost any shade.
MICTUNING
Like the other LEDs, this one has a switch that connects to the fuse in your dash panel. These lights are made with IP67 waterproof chips that can stand up to any weather. Durability is the main asset of this set, and they claim to function for 30,000 running hours.
XPrite White
Unlike the other two selections, these are standalone lights with three bulbs on each section. You get eight sections for a total of 24 lights. The most adaptable part of this model is being able to make any layout you choose. Not every truck bed is going to have the same shape. Having the option to place your lights in the desired locations when off-roading or on an early morning fishing trip is invaluable.
Truck Bed Organizer
One of the fastest-growing and most innovative arms of truck accessories is in the bed organization field. There are excellent products out there that come with drawers and lockers for all your fishing accessories. An alternative to traditional truck boxes, the bed organizer can be customized for any job you could undertake. The customization level of the bed organizer is in its infancy, but these companies show how bright the future is.
Truckvault
The good people at Truckvault make an excellent product. It is crafted from high-quality steel, these boxes come in any configuration with a list of extra options that make the head spin. No matter what size your truck bed, they make a model that fits.
Their truck storage line is split into two categories:
- Covered
- Uncovered
Mostly they make boxes for beds with and without covers. The all-weather model is the definition of durability. Often they come powder-coated, which gives them superior protection against the elements. Taking upgrades a step further, each drawer has a fine layer of carpet to help protect your things against jarring. The drawers come in three heights:
- 6 1/8in
- 8 1/8in
- 10 1/8in
These drawers come in offset or two-drawer combinations and have four different options for a locking mechanism. They are:
- Kaba Simplex Combo – These locks come with a four-punch combo code that can be accessed with a key. A Kaba is a conventional locking mechanism that provides excellent security.
- Folding T Handle – This option is the standard T handle that you see on most work trucks. It folds into a recessed indention on the front of the drawer and has a standard locking mechanism.
- Black T Handle – This handle has more of an old school look with key access in the handle. The mechanism that operates this model is rather simple and straightforward.
- Silver T Handle – This handle is another that recedes into the front panel of the drawer. It has an unlocking function that works with a round key and, when not in use, fits seamlessly into the metalwork.
Another option that Truckvault offers is different color schemes on their bed organizers. The color options they have available are:
- Mossy Oak Original Bottomland
- Mossy Oak Shadow Glass Blades
- Black
- Zebrawood
- Walnut
- Teak
Not only do they care about what their product looks like on the outside, but they also make the extra effort to give you options for the carpeting inside the drawers as well. The colors they offer are:
- Black
- Grey
- Cocoa
- Cinder
- Beige
- Bedrug
To make organizing more manageable, they also offer two different options for their drawer storage. The options are:
- Long – The sections are broken up into three extended areas of equal length. Sections that have length like these are an excellent place to insert broken down rods and bulky hip waders.
- Short – The short sections only indicate that one of the sections is much smaller than the others. The sections decrease in size, making smaller compartments for more delicate items. The smallest part is the sweet spot for all your lures and flies.
Lastly, the most important thing about these boxes is how they fit into your truck bed. They offer three different sizes, and they are:
- Short – These fit your mid-size trucks and are 5’6″ long. That’s the bed size for vehicles with extra seating capacity and less bed space.
- Medium – This is the normal-sized truck bed. 6’6″ is also the most sold size by Truckvault. The largest drawer model would also take up half the depth of the bed.
- Long – This model is the workhorse for trucks. The much deeper drawer option means you can carry full-length poles and other equipment with ease.
Decked
Decked is also an excellent choice for a truck bed organization system. This one is made from high-grade plastic, and each drawer has a 200lb weight capacity. Though not as compartmentalized as the Truckvault models, They offer a wide array of dividers that will give you the small spaces you need for all your fishing doodads.
Decked has some of the most durable and most secure drawers on the market. The top load on these models is around 2000lbs. That means you can haul an extra ton of material without damaging anything inside the drawers.
These American made boxes are an excellent alternative for your fishing truck; however, they come with a hefty price. When shopping for these models, be aware that some dividers and shelves may require extra cost.
What makes the Decked series such a good buy is that it is simple to install. It comes in large pieces like a giant jigsaw puzzle. It has a stable spine of plastic and everything branches off of that.
Rockland Custom
The people at Rockland make several different types of storage for any automobile. For the last several years, they have focused on Police and Emergency vehicles, and it wasn’t until a few years ago that they began to make products for the outdoors market.
What draws your eye to their product line is how in-depth their research goes towards helping the customer. While they don’t advertise bed organizers on their web page, they have a customs section where they will make anything to fit your needs.
The products they offer for any vehicle are:
- Tactical storage – Though not directly related to fishing, it is never a bad idea to have a hideout spot for your weapons in case of an attack by animals. Some types of fishing occur around alligators and snakes that could be protecting their nests. Always practice responsible fire-arm safety, which means leaving nature alone unless there is no other choice.
- Recreational storage – This is where a fisher will find all the nooks and crannies to protect their expensive fishing gear. They have a half-bed drawer system that comes with all the bells and whistles. Not only are there spots for your lures and flies, but a place for waders and hip boots as well. Rockland makes cabinets for purpose, and their storage line shows it. It makes storing your equipment a snap and protects it just as well as any diamond plated or powder coated surface.
- Illumi-Grille – Another of their excellent truck products, the Illumi-Grille, has some of the most potent spotlights on the market and has a flashing option for emergencies. These are easy to install and have been laser-measured for a seamless fit into your truck grille. Based on their law enforcement model, the Illumi-Grille has upgrades available for headlamps as well.
- Under-seat cabinet – This model is essentially a safe. The lock on the top is Kaba Simplex Combo that means it isn’t opening for anyone who doesn’t have the code. Under the rear seat of the truck is valuable real estate that would make a box like this worth its weight in gold. It is carpeted, the color of your choosing, and made right here in the USA. No matter the style or year of your truck, they will make an under-seat console for you.
Interior Weather Protection
Being off-road is a big part of building the ultimate fishing truck. When you think of weather protection, you would be mistaken to not lump the environmental factors as well. Some fishing honey holes will be well off the beaten path, and mud and rocks can damage your truck if not protected against.
Tracking in mud and salt water will destroy the inside of your vehicle. You will need something to beat back the elements, and an excellent place to start is with all-weather floor mats.
WeatherTech
Floor Mats – WeatherTech set the market on fire with this model of floor mats was introduced. They come in every size and make of truck. These mats cover every carpeted surface inside your vehicle, giving you full coverage against stains. These add some flair to your fishing truck, but they can also increase the value.
Seat Protection – A seat protector is also a great addition when making your truck fishing ready. WeatherTech’s model is made of polycotton twill that creates a water repellant to protect the seat of your vehicle. A set of straps hold the cover in place, which also features a second nylon sheet for extra protection.
Door Protection – Like the seat covers, WeatherTech has created a top-notch protection system for doors. It is a standalone sheet that lays over the open window. If you are off-roading looking for that perfect fly fishing spot, you will need to have the window open. Whether it is raining or the mist from the stream is wafting into the cab, you should be protected.
Exterior Truck Protection
You will need some upgrades to protect the inside of the fishing truck, but the outside will need a few tweaks as well. Things to consider are the amount of time you will be driving and where that driving will occur.
WeatherTech Techliner
This model is easy to install and has a softer coating than its competitors. The hook and loop tech that is the basis for installation is snap and is easy to remove. It is made from 100% recycled material that is durable to saltwater and mud.
Line-X
Line-X is the leader in the bed liner and spray-on protection game. The best part is that any surface can be coated with it. If you want protection against salt and scrapes, you can’t get a stricter liner than Line-X. The trend of entire coating vehicles in the material are not unheard of. You can find a local Line-X applicator with a search from their page.
The material could be expensive to apply and will require a certified professional to apply it. Once the chemicals have set, you will have a surface that is almost impossible to scratch or dent.
Best Hitch For Your Fishing Truck
When you talk fishing, you are talking about boats too. People fish from tiny kayaks and elaborate bass boats with every modern convenience. Depending on the size of your boat and truck, you have some great options to upgrade the trailer hitch.
Orion Motor Tech Shackle
This dropped forge steel model fits all 2″ hitches, and its large shackle allows you to hitch your boat trailer with ease. The multiple hinge holes give you an option to mount vertically or horizontally.
MAXXHAUL
This model has three separate balls that allow you to tow three different sized trailer hitch attachments. It fits a 2″ receiver and can pull as much as 7500lbs
If you’re thinking of different ways to accessorize your truck or make it more functional, consider checking out my recommended accessories page. I spent a good amount of time picking out mods that can be useful for most pickup trucks.