DIY: Make a Surf Fishing Sand Spike That Stands Up to a Tsunami

I received my first surf rod in the early nineties…I was probably six years old and I have a vivid memory of my dad picking up a red Abu Garcia reel, an 8ft rod and a 24in sand spike.

The rod and reel were stolen out of the back of our truck on a beach trip in 2012, but I’ve been using that same sand spike for roughly 31 years.

Unfortunately, it is on the verge of cracking and on its last legs so my goal in this post is to replace it with an all aluminum spike.

Materials Needed

• 1.5” x 1.5”, 1/8” wall, Aluminum Angle Iron
• 2”, 1/8” wall, Aluminum Round Tube
• Plasti-Dip

Step 1: Cut Length of Angle Iron

Cut a 36” piece of angle iron.

Step 2: Cut the Bottom Rod Holder

Cut a 4” section of 2” aluminum tube to serve as the bottom holder for the rod butt.

Step 3: Cut the Top of the Rod Holder

Cut a 2” length of 2” round tube to hold the top of the rod.

Step 4: Cut End of Iron at Point

Using a angle grinder, cut each wall of the end of one side of the 36” angle iron at a 45deg angle to form a point to drive into the ground.

Step 5: Create the Rod Stop

I chose to make all connections by welding the aluminum. You may choose to braze or screw connections using carriage bolts on the interior to minimize obstructions in the tube.

Weld a piece of aluminum to the bottom interior of the 4” section of 2” tube to serve as a rod stop.

Step 6: Attach the Top Tube to the Stake

Weld the 2” section of tube flush with the top of the stake.

Step 7: Attach the Bottom Tube to the Stake

Weld the bottom tube 14 3/8“ from the top tube. This can be adjusted based on your rod size.

Step 8: Protect the Top of the Holder

Dip the top of the holder in plasti-dip and let dry.

The Finished Product