Keeping Fishing Rods organized and out of harm’s way becomes more challenging as your collection grows. The following tips will help protect those precious poles when traveling to and from the lake.
Clean Sleeves And Tidy Socks
Using a woven, nylon rod sleeve, such as The Rod Glove, provides excellent blank protection at an affordable price. These tapered socks are tailored for either casting or spinning rod guide diameters. Socks for different rod lengths are available too for maximum shielding and a snug fit. Using these sleeves will eliminate line tangles between multiple rods. Another bonus is that different colored models make it easy to organize multiple sticks at home or in boat rod lockers.
Using different colored rod socks makes it easy to organize and protect poles.
Gift Wrapped
Velcro rod wraps are an inexpensive and simple way to bunch rod combos together, whether using rod sleeves or not. Bundling poles into one secure item prevents individual sticks from spreading out wildly, making them easier to carry and control.
Affix one wrap below the tips, one near the handles and, if needed, one midway. Face reels outwards. Alternating between spinning and casting models reduces the parcel’s circumference.
Lock-Down Lures
Use a lure wrap to swaddle and immobilize a bait connected to a rod’s hook keeper. Without one, an unsecured lure can bang against a pole during travel, which can weaken blanks and cause damage.
A lure wrap also eliminates line from another combo tangling in hooks, split rings, and other bait components, which in turn prevents lures from nicking line that can lead to break-offs. Plus, encasing baits is a safety measure that reduces the chances of accidentally getting hooked when carrying a wad of rods.
Spin It To Win
Another way to stop line tangles when transporting poles is wrapping the line around the rod, whether carrying a single stick or a bunch. Here’s how to do it.
Secure the hook in its keeper on the blank. Hold the rod with your right hand below the reel. Take the thumb of your left hand and slide it midway up the line running from the tip to the lure. Spin the rod clockwise with your right hand. This motion causes the outside line to wrap around the rod blank and the guides. Complete the process by placing the remaining loop of line over the middle guide. You may need to pull a short amount of line from the reel to reduce tension.
A lure wrap immobilizes a lure during travel, which prevents tangles as well as stops a bait from banging the rod blank.
When ready to fish, pull the line off the middle guide with your left hand, and spin the rod counter-clockwise to unravel the line.
Tubular Options
Air travel and other long vehicle trips demand a higher degree of protection. In these instances use plastic rod tubes, or customize your own out of PVC and screw cap components. Use rod sleeves, wraps, rags and foam to cushion and secure rods and eliminate movement within the tube.
What About Reels?
Reel protection deserves attention. A neoprene cover will keep grit from creeping into the reel and protect it from impact. A reel carrying case, such as the Plano 1404 with pluck foam, works well when gear is removed from poles. Another alternative is wrapping reels individually in protective cloths or towels.
Sportsman’s Guide offers a fine assortment of Fishing Gear, including Rod Cases and Tackle Boxes.