Rod/Reel Covers

[Big C]

I recently bought an all aluminum Jon boat to get out of a kayak.  Which is great, but the aluminum is starting to scratch my rods and reels, which is an outrage.  So my questions are...

1. Are they a bigger hassle than they are worth?

2. What are the best options, especially for reels?

[iabass8]

Always use rod/reel covers. Cheapest investment you can make to prolong a rods longevity and protect it from unnecessary damage. 

I personally use all rod/reel covers from "the rod glove". Ive used housebrand rod covers and they were poor quality. Cabelas makes good reel covers though.

[Toeshots]

I don't find them to be a hassle at all.

For rods, I use the BPS XTS Rod Socks. These will protect from scratches but not really from impact damage. The thing I like the most about them is that they keep the rods from getting tangled.  I generally carry about 6 rods and  it's nice not having to untangle them all when I am anxious to get my line in the water.

For reels, I use Tackle Warehouse casting reel covers which are often offered at a discount when you place an order. These are quality covers and are easy to take on and off. These provide cushioning as well as scratch protection. In fact, I left them on for additional padding when I shipped my reels to DVT a couple weeks ago. 

[MIbassangler30]

I always use rod and reel covers. It's a small price to pay to protect my investment. The Rod Glove are the ones I use the most and for reels I just use the TW ones. I have a small aluminum boat I fish out of on occasion. When I do, I make sure to pack a few shop towels and lay them down on the front and middle seats. This keeps my gear from scratching and prevents me from having to take the covers off between each switch. 

[Raul]

You can start by installing weatherproof carpet on those bench seats, my rods and reels are always in their cover until I remove them to fish, the moment I'm going to change I put them on again. 

Of course, I'm obsessive compulsive and I like my stuff to look like brand new.

[a1712]

1 minute ago, Raul said:

You can start by installing weatherproof carpet on those bench seats, my rods and reels are always in their cover until I remove them to fish, the moment I'm going to change I put them on again. 

Of course, I'm obsessive compulsive and I like my stuff to look like brand new.

We're in the same boat(no pun intended). I keep reel covers on my reels whenever they're not in my hands. I've been doing it so long it's second nature anymore. I can swap the cover from one reel to another, as I pick one up and put one down, in one motion. Brian AKA; I despise boat rash.

[kickerfish1]

I would echo the above comments. Not a fan of boat rash and such on rods and reels. If I fished tournaments for big money or had rod and reel sponsors it would be a different story.

Another thing to keep in mind is resell value and condition. If you are someone that regularly tries new rods and reels and sells them or upgrades their gear to newer offerings every few years than it pays to keep them not only performing well but looking well. Just a recent example: I sold a Lews Speed Spool in near mind condition interntally and externally for $70 shipped. That is $30 less than the retail price. I watched one in much worse cosmetic condition sell for $50.That is a difference of $20 just on looks of the reel. Some people don't care about external condition but I would be willing to bet a good majority do and most often associate a reel with lots of external where to be one that was abused or that has lots of miles on it.

TW had their house brand reel covers on sale for $2.99. Match that with a rod glove for about $7.00 and for about $10 you can protect both your rod and reel. The rod covers also help prevent the guides from getting tangled up too.

[tander]

When I bought all new reels this year, I also bought the reel covers and the rod socks. Both are pretty cheap, got both from BPS. Only takes a few seconds to put both on and keeps your rod and reels working good and looking new.

[Evan K]

I like rod glove brand rod socks and the TW brand reel covers seem to be working fine. I plan to upgrade my kayak to a jon sometime this year too. I'm thinking about building some kind of rack that would keep the rods up off the deck? Anyone use anything like that?

[offsidewing]

What size Tackle Warehouse reel covers does everyone use?  I have the TW "Low Profile" size and they barely fit over my 50-sized reels and can't latch the velcro on Shimano 100-sized reels.

[Toeshots]

10 minutes ago, offsidewing said:

What size Tackle Warehouse reel covers does everyone use?  I have the TW "Low Profile" size and they barely fit over my 50-sized reels and can't latch the velcro on Shimano 100-sized reels.

I use the same ones and have no issue fitting them on my 200-sized Shimanos. 

You are referring to these, right?:

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Tackle_Warehouse_Low_Profile_Casting_Reel_Covers/descpage-TWRC.html

[*Hootie]

Tell ya' how long I have been using reel covers. They didn't even make them then. I would pull an old gym sock

up over the rod handle, and over the reel. Worked great, and when "Real" reel covers came along, I started using them.

Hootie

[Big Bait Fishing]

i picked up some TW reel covers a few months ago , that fit ok . i must say that the best fitting reel covers are the Abu Garcia ones , they fit pefectly ( changed all my Abu's over to Lew's )

so if you use other than Abu reels and can get over the name on the reel cover , the Abu Garcia covers are the way to go ...

[OkobojiEagle]

I've installed two horizontal rod racks on either sides of my boat.  They provide protection for the rods from being bounced around while running and from being stepped on.  The reels I cover with neoprene reel covers.

 

oe

[cottny27]

I'd cover the bench areas for sure. Jon boats are pretty noisy anyway.  I just put reel covers on, but I'm careful.  

[Robert Riley]

I always use rod gloves, but I found that reel covers are a big hassle. 

[Hookem Hank]

Probably already been said but I use Tackle Warehouse brand reel covers and Stick Jacket for my rods and recommend them when I can.