Rod socks- need reccos

[casts_by_fly]

hi all,

 

I've not been a rod sock user before because I'm not carrying that many in the kayak and they stay separated on the kayak racks.  In the boat though its an open rod locker and I can see the line/guide/tangles coming.  I'm going to need about a dozen or so, so a $15 sleeve might be a bit much in bulk.  Any good reccos for a cheaper buy effective rod sock I can stock up on?

 

rick

[Jig Man]

I bought a couple at Wally World a while back.

[MediumMouthBass]

TW's brand cost $6, Walmarts Ozark Trail $4, but i think youd prefer the ones from Falcon for $6.

[MN Fisher]

These are the ones I've been using from Reaction Tackle...decent quality as a couple are 5 years old and still in good condition. Various sizes and colors available. $12-$15 for a pair depending on style.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088GNYFRC/?coliid=I3CLX42K3PT1XS&colid=3M9MGOWZE9YW2&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1&psc=1

[rangerjockey]

I just use the Buzbees and Liv's. They ain't the cheapest but they work really well. One of my happiest days was pulling all the mesh rods socks I had in my boat and throwing them in the trash at the marina.

22 minutes ago, MediumMouthBass said:

TW's brand cost $6, Walmarts Ozark Trail $4, but i think youd prefer the ones from Falcon for $6.

If you  buy the fixed length ones from Falcon I agree. Whatever you do don't buy the model that's adjustable for length by folding the tip over. 

[FrnkNsteen]

I have been using the brand Academy Sports carries. I think it might be called Rod Glove.

 

They seem to work ok and only cost $4.99 for Casting rods and $5.99 for Spinning rods. I HAVE had a few issues with line guides or tips popping through the mesh, but not really enough to cause any issues. 

 

They do protect them on the rod racks in the garage and a lot less issues with tangled lines in the rod locker since I started using them.

[Eric 26]

@FrnkNsteen I had the same issue with the rod tips and took enough rubber tubing sliced to be a flat square about 2”x2” and just used the house stapler on each end catching just the edge of the mesh and it works pretty well. 

[wvhunt]

I bought a roll of woven sleeve off Amazon and make my own, but really it would be almost as cheap to buy the Walmart ones.

[little giant]

From one falcon guy to another falcon guy: falcon rod covers. Call them and maybe give you a lower price since you need many.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

I rally like the TW brand over more expensive socks.  The retention band makes a huge difference, and the bottom of the socks never unfolds so it goes on and off very easy. 

[webertime]

You can get bulk on Amazon/ebay for like a buck each.   www.rodprotech.com has amazing socks which you might want to use for your on Yak rods.  100% US made and custom 

[HighCountryBassAssassin]

Honestly, I've been using a lot that I bought on Amazon for cheap - like a dozen for 8 bucks.  I have been debating getting the Buzbe, but that's only because I'm buying a Yakima rod holder that leaves the rods exposed.  I would say that if your purpose is purely to keep lines/rods separated, you're good to go on cheap covers from Amazon.  One consideration to take into account - cheap nylon covers do have the potential to scratch rods/reels.

[GReb]

The Buzbe are thick and very nice. The con is they are heavy and take up more space in the box. 
 

Rod Glove is a good option if you have an academy near by. They are a good balance of quality and price. They also have a bunch do color/pattern options to help organize if you are into that. 
 

Some of the cheaper one are a little too baggy for my liking.

[Choporoz]

I have used many different rod covers.  I in my mind, there's really only three different categories I have found to choose from, with some range of quality, price, features within each. All work, none are perfect.

 

1.  Mesh.  Usually nylon, I think. Think Rod Socks, Amazon no-names, etc.  Cheapest choice usually.  Biggest plus for me is that they dry quickly.  Cons: hooks WILL get caught in the mesh at some point...whether in the car, or rod locker, or kayak...it is a PITA.  The 'looser weave' (cheapest, generally) versions will allow you to poke a rod tip through the mesh, and will they do start to fray after a time. BPS and TW both have branded socks with a nice tight weave that are currently m the best choice for me.

2.  Neoprene. Think Liv, 6th Sense, Rod Glove.  Hooks don't get caught, tips don't poke through, best actual protection for the rod.  More expensive and can be a bit more frustrating to put on (the ends fold over and you have to be a bit slower/more mindful; not a big deal to most, probably, but when you are stowing 10 or 12 rods at the end of a long day, they can be a bit trying). The real drawback for me is that these can take forever to dry. I tend to toss them in the bottom if the boat some times and if it rains before I put them away, it is guaranteed that I will stow rods with wet socks in the locker. 

3.  Fabric.  Not sure if any commercially available, but I have had homemade versions that are pretty good.  Used to be a variety on Etsy, FB, etc.  Not sure anymore.  The ones I had years ago were great.  And, I contributed to a young entrepreneur saving for college.  Of course the quality and price may vary widely here.

 

One problem I had with all of them is that they sink.  Fast :).  I see that Liv claims to float, and that is a good selling point.

[rangerjockey]

48 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

I have used many different rod covers.  I in my mind, there's really only three different categories I have found to choose from, with some range of quality, price, features within each. All work, none are perfect.

 

1.  Mesh.  Usually nylon, I think. Think Rod Socks, Amazon no-names, etc.  Cheapest choice usually.  Biggest plus for me is that they dry quickly.  Cons: hooks WILL get caught in the mesh at some point...whether in the car, or rod locker, or kayak...it is a PITA.  The 'looser weave' (cheapest, generally) versions will allow you to poke a rod tip through the mesh, and will they do start to fray after a time. BPS and TW both have branded socks with a nice tight weave that are currently m the best choice for me.

2.  Neoprene. Think Liv, 6th Sense, Rod Glove.  Hooks don't get caught, tips don't poke through, best actual protection for the rod.  More expensive and can be a bit more frustrating to put on (the ends fold over and you have to be a bit slower/more mindful; not a big deal to most, probably, but when you are stowing 10 or 12 rods at the end of a long day, they can be a bit trying). The real drawback for me is that these can take forever to dry. I tend to toss them in the bottom if the boat some times and if it rains before I put them away, it is guaranteed that I will stow rods with wet socks in the locker. 

3.  Fabric.  Not sure if any commercially available, but I have had homemade versions that are pretty good.  Used to be a variety on Etsy, FB, etc.  Not sure anymore.  The ones I had years ago were great.  And, I contributed to a young entrepreneur saving for college.  Of course the quality and price may vary widely here.

 

One problem I had with all of them is that they sink.  Fast :).  I see that Liv claims to float, and that is a good selling point.

Well said, The fist time I dropped a mesh sleeve over the side I was surprised at how fast the thing sank.

[LonnieP]

I bought a bunch of Reaction Tackle ones from Amazon last year that cost $12 for a 2 pack. Only con is treble hooks get caught in them and they’re not easy to get out.

[ike8120]

Here is video to make your own Rod Socks . There are numerous videos on YT. this just one https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&p=How+to+make+your+own+rod+socks&type=E211US105G0#id=1&vid=96c6ccfdf848e6402c4ac4f5e1b40f88&action=view

[Motoboss]

I found the cheap ones a to be a PITA. No tip protection, guides pushing through the sleeve, sizing all over the place and don’t even get a hook caught in them!

 

I replaced all my covers with These 

Excellent quality, tip protector, replaceable threaded reel cord, rubberized guide collar and perfect sizing. The best I have found and the price isn’t too bad considering the quality.

PLUS THEY FLOAT!

[casts_by_fly]

Thanks gents. I’m leaning mesh.  That was my initial thought and all of your comments are keeping me there. Some great points and comparisons across the different ones. 

[Darth-Baiter]

10 pack from Amazon.  

 

till then you can take the line (from reel to tip section) and wrap it around the shaft and hook it on the first and biggest line guide.  it really minimizes that jangled mess.

[casts_by_fly]

2 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

10 pack from Amazon.  

 

till then you can take the line (from reel to tip section) and wrap it around the shaft and hook it on the first and biggest line guide.  it really minimizes that jangled mess.

yeah, I do that anyway. It’s helps a bunch but I can see having a dozen rods in a rod locker bouncing around as an issue. It also doesn’t work well with braid which a couple rods will have. 

[Hulkster]

I use the rod glove ones. Not really a sock per se, but it protects them pretty well. 

[JediAmoeba]

The new light rod glove neoprene covers are the best I have had. I will eventually replace all of them with these 

[casts_by_fly]

18 minutes ago, JediAmoeba said:

The new light rod glove neoprene covers are the best I have had. I will eventually replace all of them with these 

What about the neoprene is so great?  Any idea how thick the material is?  In my head I am picturing wet suit neoprene which I know isn’t right but that’s a mental anchor. 

[JediAmoeba]

2 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

What about the neoprene is so great?  Any idea how thick the material is?  In my head I am picturing wet suit neoprene which I know isn’t right but that’s a mental anchor. 

The older ones were too thick and exactly like you are thinking- the new ones are super lightweight and the hooks don't get stuck in them. The mesh ones attract treble hooks like crap attracts flies.