Sumo Rod Rack Review

The problem is simple: fly rods are long. They don’t fit in cars very well. So why not make a rod rack that holds them outside of cars?? You’ve already seen them but if you’re like most, you’ve probably just been curious and wanting one for a long time. Just go to Rodmounts.com and do it. They’re well-made and after some time with them I can honestly say that they are crazy convenient. They’re easy on and easy off. Regardless of whether it’s a single day on the water or a multi-day trip, they make it a whole lot easier than carefully sliding your rod (stay with me perverts) along the inside of your car.

The Sumo rod rack comes in two models: a suction model and a magnet model. Choosing the right one can be a tough choice. Ultimately, we found that they both hold on super tight. A big factor is what materials your hood and roof are made of and the condition of your paint. In order to keep from getting too wordy, I’ll briefly explain the advantages and disadvantages that we saw in both of them and let you judge for yourselves.

SUCTION MOUNT

• They hold tight. Like, really tight. A friend had a bid dent in the side of his car and mounted his Sumo rod rack to the dent and popped the dent out. You put that sucker on a clean surface and it’s hanging on. You can wrangle it all around with some force and it still holds tight. It’s fairly difficult to wrench it off (without using the lever-lock of course).
• The suction is a bit more versatile because it will mount to you window, windshield and pretty much any other smooth surface. They will also stick to those surfaces that have a curve to them.
• While we have yet to give it much use in cold weather, the literature says that cold weather can hinder adhesion.

Bottom Line: Holds tighter than the magnet mount but has bigger margin to be mounted incorrectly.

MAGNET MOUNT

• Quicker and easier to use than the suction. The suction isn’t difficult by any means, but the magnet you literally just place it on your hood and it sticks. When you want to take it off? You give it a light tug. I was surprised how easy they are to get off – especially since they had no problem holding 3 rods for hours on the highway.
• Less impervious to dust, temperature, and moisture.

Bottom Line: Is physically easier to pull of than the suction but is quick and easy. It’s also pretty much impossible to attach it wrong.

While the company can’t name any specific speed limit recommendations with these we’ve ultimately used them both to drive a prolonged (like hours) 80mph in windy conditions with 3 rods mounted to it. Obviously there are a lot of factors that go into how well the rod mounts hold, however we’re pretty confident in their ability to hold your stuff in pretty much any condition you find yourself in. Rallying bumpy roads? So far so good. Highway driving? So far so good. Icy, gale-force winds with pounding snow in the Siberian wilderness? Can’t say yet. When it comes down to it, I feel that the suction is definitely the more secure of the two but the magnet still feels a little more worry-free because it’s easier to know it’s properly attached. Because of this and the fact that both versions of the Asian fat man held under every condition we’ve thrown at them so far, I think it really just comes down to preference.

View/Buy Sumo Rod Mounts at Rodmounts.com

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