What is the Point of Rod Sleeves/Socks?

[dodgeguy]

16 hours ago, DEPS_250 said:

Does anyone in here use rod sleeves/socks? Are there any advantages/pros to using them? I understand their purpose and place but at the same I don't see any advantages or positives of using them. In my opinion, they seem like more work and more of a nuisance than actually helping anything. I mean...

 

1. If you have a lot of setups in a arsenal that you like to bring with you fishing all the time, then that is a lot of sleeves/socks to take off/on and eventually you will need to find a space to store these things. I feel like it's more of a hassle and just takes away from precious fishing time/enjoyment. 

2. If you're somewhat a hardcore/regular fisherman and go fishing a lot, your rod is eventually going to get abused/scratched/scuffed one way or another anyways. Therefore, it's going to get damaged any way no matter what, even if you use a rod sock/sleeve just for the transportation and storage time/places.

 

So...Why waste the money on them if the rod is going to end up getting abused/damaged anyway if your using them day in and day out like your supposed to? 

 

I feel like rods being abused/scratched/scuffed is inescapable/inevitable in fishing and will not really help in the long run. I am hard on my gear and I am one of those 'treat my gear like a tool' kind of guy. Therefore, the rod sleeves/socks have always seemed like a gimmick to me intended to take more money away from me and into the hands of other people. 

 

Who here feels different and/or can vouch for rod sleeves/socks? Who here feels the same as me? I am all confused and I am trying to see if these things are worth my time and money. 

 

[DEPS_250]

Well, I guess the consensus and results have spoken for themselves and it looks like it's solved now. It looks like I am going to have to buy rod socks for my setups too now. 

[dodgeguy]

I damage way less rods in transport with rod sleeves and reel covers. It's not even close. That and a little better care when fishing will go a real long way. I pay way to much of my hard earned money to treat my $500 combos like garbage.

[J._Bricker]

I figured out my reels were getting boat rash from bouncing around in the rod locker. And a rod sleeve or a neoprene reel cover at Tackle Warehouse is less than a bag of senkos so it was a no brainer. Just wished I’d done it sooner. Now when I get a new rod or reel its gonna have a sleeve or neoprene cover.

[waymont]

You don't see how putting a cover on something will protect it?

Guides and blanks are fragile, and not meant to be banged around, covering them will protect them.

Also just the fact that they prevent tangles is worth it in my book.

[Deephaven]

For the detangle alone they are worth it.  Add to that they protect the guides and blank makes them a critical piece of gear imo.

[FishTax]

I use them to prevent tangles. Drives me nuts when they get into a mess. 

[DEPS_250]

Rod sleeves and socks it is! The replies were clearly a land slide victory! Haha LOL.

[Dye99]

My rods and reels are expensive top notch pieces of gear. And Im poor, so replacing them is not feasible.

So I have reel covers and rod socks for everything I own. Color coded. Just some extra protection.

I like using them.

[fishingotaku]

I used to put them on my rods for protection, but I've stopped since I only had two. Though I usually take care of my setups with or without them.

[WRB]

Line wrapping around the rod by bow stringing and spin the rod helps to present line tangling with adjacent rods. The rod sleeve insures the line stays on the rod and prevents tangling in storage plus cushions the guides a win, win.

Reel projection covers for storing rigged rods with reels during transportation works good. Alternative is gym cotton shocks or simply cushion using bath towels to layer and protect the reels in a rod locker.

No protection = broken guides and scuffing damage.

Tom

[newapti5]

Resale? I'm surprised no one has mentioned that yet. You guys must be like: 

 

[ironbjorn]

5 minutes ago, newapti5 said:

Resale? I'm surprised no one has mentioned that yet. You guys must be like: 

 

When I sell rods, I sell them in the rod sock. Mostly for extra protection during the shipping process. Nice bonus for people too.

[volzfan59]

7 minutes ago, ironbjorn said:

When I sell rods, I sell them in the rod sock. Mostly for extra protection during the shipping process. Nice bonus for people too.

Although I sold/ gave away locally, I did the same thing. 

[Bird]

Watching my buddy mess around with his tangled rods, stumbling around his boat is like watching a Bill Dance blooper.

 

Tangling or lack of tangling was the #1 reason I invested in rod socks, surprisingly inexpensive as well.