June 30, 2020
By Dennis Pastucha
Anyone who has snapped a rod tip in a window or door regrets not breaking down their rod or using a roof carrier system. I’ve been that guy, twice, each time feeling a mix of anger, regret, and shame for automatic windows and my own stupidity. The new Yakima DoubleHaul Rooftop Fly Rod Carrier ($699, yakima.com) solves the potential disaster of broken rods and self-loathing while getting you to your honey hole more quickly. It’s a great addition to a fishing vehicle, especially for guides or for your own multi-day fishing trips where keeping your rods strung and ready for action saves precious fishing time. I installed this carrier on a Ford F150, along with the OverHaul HD System mounting platform. Installation was easy, taking less than an hour. No drilling or complex construction, just a few simple measurements to make sure the OverHaul HD System was lined up evenly on the truck bed.
The DoubleHaul is built for the long haul. Weighing in at almost 47 pounds, it’s completely rigid and all components are rock solid. It can transport up to four 10-foot rods including heavier-weight rods with large reels. It can be set either at 11 feet or 6 feet long, and is compatible with most Yakima crossbars and other mounting systems. The addition of padded felt inserts inside the reel case ensures the reels remain safe from bumps and bruises. There are four plastic-lined tubes to protect rods. I really like the plastic, as it doesn’t wear on the guides as much as aluminum. Rods and reels sit sideways, which helps protect the guides as well.
Security on this rack is top-notch and convenient. The Yakima Single Key System (SKS) locks the roof rack as well as the reel case. The locking case is easy to open and the lid stays up, which is a nice touch for sliding the rod out of the case. Sliding the rods back into the case is easy with no hangups.
If you’re in the market for fly rod roof carrier system, the DoubleHaul not only looks great, but performs above expectations and is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
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