These extremely sturdy rod holders are one of the most streamlined and simple designs I’ve seen. Yes you can make a Frankenstein out of PVC pipe but you’re going to pay more money just for those supplies than buying a few of these(unless you have access to pvc for free). They’re extremely strong and can go through grass, mud, sand, and even light gravel with no problem. They won’t cut through hard ground but most lakes will offer a soft spot for you to dig these into. They are small and really only optimal for trout fishing on lakes. If you’re here for surf fishing gear you need something a little bigger.