/FISHINGINGODZONE  45
A
fter owning several 
utes and SUVs over 
the past decade, I was 
always looking for better 
ways to carry gear and 
especially awkward long 
rods. Based in Tauranga and driving 
more than 2000km a month, I often 
head to Auckland and then on to 
Northland, where we fish regularly.
One thing I can’t stand on long 
trips is carrying rods inside the 
vehicle. They get in the way, rattle 
around, make annoying noise and, 
after a good fishing session, leave 
the cabin smelling of fish from 
the rod grips and reel handles.
Several years ago, I was introduced 
to Yakima roof racks. The brand 
offers an impressive range of 
racks, roof boxes and storage 
accessories designed to help 
keen 4x4 adventurers carry the 
gear they need for a trip away.
When I updated the Godzone 
ute to the new Kia Tasman in May 
this year, on the list of things to 
organise was fitting Yakima racks 
and we organised this through our 
local Yakima agent at the Mount in 
Tauranga, The Roof Rack Centre.
The guys know their stuff and 
helped to fit the Tasman with a 
pair of JetStream Bars, ReelDeal 
fishing rod mounts and the new 
OverHaul HD ute tub racks.  I have 
detailed each of these products 
below to help readers by providing 
more information on this top kit.
Matt Hewetson explains why Yakima roof racks fitted to the Kia Tasman are such 
practical accessories for keen anglers and hunters exploring Godzone’s outdoors.
The writer loves the ReelDeal 
lockable racks to keep the rods 
out of the cabin, with no more 
rattling noise or fishy smells!

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