devilmutt -
I too have had my eye on the Thule 885 Castaway for some time (it's discontinued from Thule now, but available from several online retailers). The biggest thing keeping me from buying it is the price, necessity second (my SUV and minivan have enough room for rods, camping gear, etc.), the only car I'd need it for is my '98 New Beetle which I rarely take camping, fishing, boat-towing, etc., although it is a diesel. :mrgreen:
I WILL SAY THIS THOUGH...Thule products are ABSOLUTELY THE BEST! I've had their racks on every one of our family's vehicles for the last 10 years (6 different cars)! Nothing compares to their product quality, customer service, and parts availability.
Maybe this will be the year I take the plunge on the Castaway, maybe not. :?:
That said, I have some home-engineering experience too. When I was a kid I took some 4" or 5" ABS plastic with screw on endcaps and made a rod holder that strapped to the top of the car's rack. It was just big enough in diameter to fit two rods, one from either direction, with the reel attached. Pretty? No. Functional? Yes. Cheap? Absolutely!
Anyway, either way you go, I'm sure that you'll be happy, either with a Thule product or with something created from your own imagination.
Good luck!