"Lightweight Gear: Will the introduction of an inexpensive belt-mounted rod holster make stream fishing more enjoyable?"

What I noticed while fishing in the stream was that there was nowhere to place my rod. If I get distracted by the fish I catch and leave it in the current, sand can get into the reel and lead to malfunction. To relax and enjoy fishing, I decided to buy an inexpensive rod holder.

I tried buying a cheap "belted rod holster." How is its usability?

When you place the rod in flowing areas while stream fishing, sand can get into the reel and lead to malfunctions. So, I bought something called "belted rod holster."

Though priced at 1550 yen, it came in three colors: khaki, black, and green, and was available for online purchase. The key factor for my decision was the idea that I could move the slightly overloaded pouch contents to the ring attached to the belt, allowing for better weight distribution. I also thought that since the holster itself is simple, there wouldn’t be much difference among manufacturers.

After testing it in the field, I found it quite light, so there is no discomfort wearing it. By moving heavy and bulky bottle holders and nets from the pouch, the problem of the belt excessively digging into my stomach was resolved, which surely boosts comfort!? With this, fishing should become easier than before.

The holster uses the arm part of the reel to hook into the groove, being held by the weight of the rod and reel. With both hands free, it also comes in handy when climbing slopes; however, I found that the tip of the rod, positioned above my head, is out of my line of sight, making it likely to get caught on something and break. It is possible to move while stowing the rod in the holster, but it seems necessary to be very careful.

It really shines when swapping lures or removing lures from fish, with great fishing results too!

Frequent lure changes have become smooth. Until now, I had been switching lures by pinching the rod between my thigh or under my arm, so the process has become much neater.

On this day, I caught a magnificent 25cm char, and I felt very relieved that I could work without worrying about the rod while bringing in the fish and removing the lure afterward. The pattern of dipping the reel in the water occurs when I'm focused on the caught fish, so I believe the risk of reel damage has been significantly reduced.

I was able to work without worrying about the rod even while crouching. Still, I caught a splendid char. I've always caught only small fish, so catching a big one is overwhelming.

One concern is that, when worn for a long time, it digs into my side.

The point that I found concerning about the "belt-attachable rod holster" was that the holster and belt fixation parts dig into my stomach. I couldn't avoid this even after changing the position of the holster, and I was using it while worrying about potential chafing and abrasions. Fortunately, there were no significant issues that made me want to stop using it, but it is still a concern.

Even so, the lightness is attractive! Make stream fishing even more enjoyable with a rod holster.

While there are some areas of concern, the benefits are significant, and it was easy to use, so I think I'll continue fishing in this style for a while. Lightness is important for stream fishing. If you haven't tried it yet, you might want to give it a shot.

Interview and text by Kazuma Tanaka

Search rod holster on Amazon

Search rod holster with belt on Amazon