Rod sleeves and Reel covers

[flyfisher]

Being that I flyfish primarily i looked into making my own rod sleeves and it is super easy.  I bought 100' of 1.5" data cable sleeves, some shrink tubing and voila, custom rod sleeves.  All in was under $30 and I was able to make 9 fly rod sleeves and a few conventional with plenty to spare.  

[thunderblack]

I'm not sure about you guys but I do not like rod jackets. Seem rough on guides pulling pulling them on and off. 

[gim]

1 hour ago, thunderblack said:

I'm not sure about you guys but I do not like rod jackets. Seem rough on guides pulling pulling them on and off. 

If I didn't use my rod tubes, I would for sure be using them.  I have the sleeves, but I thought the same thing.  Maybe the ones we're using are too tight or they need to be used more to "loosen" up.  I know some people who take the rod tubes out of their rod locker and then just use the jackets instead so they don't all get tangled.  The number of rod tubes kind of dictates how many you can put in there.  Without them, you can fit quite a bit more.

[J._Bricker]

TW reel covers for both baitcasting and spinning reels and TW rod sleeves for the corresponding rods. Just trying to protect my tackle investment (which I should’ve done sooner) and one or two every order can help with hitting the free shipping threshold.

[RDB]

On 4/6/2022 at 5:19 PM, jbsoonerfan said:

I use the rod glove ones that are $4.99 at TW and I use the TW low profile reel covers. 

 

On 4/6/2022 at 5:23 PM, Mike L said:

Ditto

 

 

 

Mike

Tritto

 

Edit:  FYI, often you will see some complaints about the lengths of rod sleeves and the amount of the rod covered.  If that is a concern, on Rod Gloves the lower cut end is folded inside of the sleeve.  If you use the longer sleeves, you can roll more of the cut end inside the sleeve to make it the length you want.  Then hit the end with an iron and you have a custom length that will stay in place.

[txchaser]

I don't think the mesh rod covers offer much protection for rods that are being transported vs just in/out of a rod locker. So I use the neoprene ones. They are all mostly the same, but for the thickness; some brands use thin neoprene, some thick neoprene. After dealing with a couple of busted guides from not using any sort of sleeve, I'm a believer. It's more of a PITA to find matching guides and someone local to do the repair than it is to just put the covers on at least half the rods. 

 

If I recall correctly, the rod glove ones are pretty thick, and the 6th sense ones are thin. 

 

I have a few reel covers and never bother to put them on. Cosmetic damage isn't going to affect the utility of the reel, and I know it is going to get worn and nicked up in day to day use anyway. It seemed like a good idea at the time though. 

 

[Hammer 4]

Only use reel covers to protect my reels during transport in the bed of my truck, been doing that for many years. Rods never seem to get any damage, the reel covers protect against any rash that may happen. I also keep the reel covers on when I know my rigs maybe sitting for a time, just to keep the dust off em.

[long island basser]

Rod glove sleeves here, no reel covers.

[Hulkster]

I also use the rod glove ones, but I only put them on when they go into my plano rod tube for car travel on long trips. I cover them all, then bundle with pipe cleaners. then they all go into my big Plano tube. reels separate. 

[Mbirdsley]

I buy them from a bunch of different  places.  Usually, just where I’m at that day IE Walmart, cabelas, bass pro, or TW.  
 

The tw rod covers seem to fit the best