Why the Ultimate Rod Racks Game Series Was Built
Every fishing rod deserves proper storage.
But not every fishing rod is the same.
While most trailer boat rod racks are designed around standard spinning and overhead outfits, serious offshore anglers often carry something very different.
Bent butt game rods.
Electric reels.
Heavy trolling outfits.
Large overhead reels.
These setups are bigger, heavier and considerably more expensive than the average fishing outfit.
They also create an entirely different engineering challenge.
It Started with a Simple Question
At one of our very first boat shows, we kept hearing exactly the same question.
"Do you have anything for bent butt game rods?"
At the time, we had a solution.
It worked.
But it wasn't the solution we really wanted.
Our original design stored bent butt rods facing inward into the cockpit.
While functional, it occupied valuable working space and didn't complement the way modern offshore boats are used.
We knew there had to be a better way.
Designing Around the Way People Fish
Rather than simply modifying one of our existing rod racks, we treated the project as a completely new engineering challenge.
The objective wasn't just to hold bigger rods.
The objective was to create a storage system that worked around the realities of game fishing.
Heavy tackle.
Large reels.
Busy cockpits.
Multiple anglers.
Clear access around the boat.
That thinking led to the Ultimate Rod Racks Game Series.
A Different Engineering Philosophy
The Game Series was designed to position bent butt rods vertically and neatly alongside the boat rather than projecting into valuable cockpit space.
By keeping rods organised against the side of the boat, anglers retain far better access when fighting fish, resetting lures or moving around the cockpit.
It also provides better protection for expensive game outfits while underway.
As the range evolved, we expanded the concept to include:
- Dedicated bent butt storage.
- Combined bent butt and straight rod configurations.
- Electric reel compatibility.
- Optional cup holder configurations.
- Home storage systems for game fishing equipment.
Every addition was driven by practical use on the water.
Built Around GunnelCoreā¢
Today's Game Series is built around the same GunnelCoreā¢ philosophy that underpins every Ultimate Rod Rack.
Rather than relying on a universal mounting system, the Game Series can be configured using the appropriate GunnelCoreā¢ mounting solution for compatible boats.
That allows serious offshore anglers to enjoy the same secure Mechanical Friction Fitā¢, premium EVA protection and removable installation that Ultimate Rod Racks has become known for.
Protecting Serious Investments
Anyone who owns game fishing equipment knows it represents a significant investment.
A complete game outfit can cost thousands of dollars.
Proper storage isn't simply about organisation.
It's about protecting premium rods, reels and tackle from unnecessary movement, impacts and wear while travelling to and from the fishing grounds.
Built in New Zealand. Designed for Serious Anglers.
Every Ultimate Rod Rack is proudly designed and manufactured in New Zealand.
The Game Series exists because our customers challenged us to think differently.
By listening to offshore anglers, refining our designs and continuing to evolve alongside modern fishing boats, we've developed a purpose-built storage system for one of the most specialised areas of recreational fishing.
Because serious gear deserves storage that's engineered with the same attention to detail.
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Continue Exploring
Different styles of fishing create different storage challenges, which is why Ultimate Rod Racks has developed purpose-built systems for everything from light tackle spinning outfits to heavy game fishing equipment.
Learn how we've engineered boat-specific mounting systems for StabicraftĀ® boats, SenatorĀ® boats and ExtremeĀ® boats, where different hull designs and gunnel geometries inspired completely different engineering solutions.
If you're looking for the right Ultimate Rod Rack for your own boat, our Shop by Boatā¢ guide is the easiest place to start. It helps match your boat with the correct GunnelCoreā¢ mounting system and rod rack configuration.
To better understand the engineering behind our systems, we also recommend reading Hybridā¢ vs SLRā¢ ā Which GunnelCoreā¢ Mounting System Is Right for Your Boat? and Why Universal Rod Racks Don't Fit Every Boat.
