Travel Rod Transport

When fishing away from home, many times I have to fly. Not many things more awkward than trying to carry rods, car seat, carry-on, and what have you through the airport, as well as dealing with the one who goes into the car seat. Today, while at the new Michael's which opened up here in town (oh jeez, there goes the wallet), I found an extendable tube 4 in. in diameter back by the painting canvasses. It reminded me of the long, extendable tube I have for my baitcasting and deep sea rods, but it compressed down shorter than my 4 piece travel rods.

The diameter is such that I can get 4 travel rods, in their socks, into the case. It is NOT heavy duty PVC, but is heavy enough, especially since my rods never leave my sight, the chance of them getting crushed is nil. With the 40% off coupon that Michael's always has in the paper, it was less than 7 bucks. WAAAAAYYY cheaper than your average tube on the market (even if I had paid full price).

I am thinking that with this diameter, and a couple of foam spacers, I oughta be able to get reels into the tube to go with the rods, as long as I am trout fishing. I don't know if the big salmon reels will fit, because my Crosswater (Airframe) 7/8/9 won't

Anyhoo, the price was right, and it lets me take more rods than I need to Idaho and Colorado, so this is a good thing...just wish my favorite 3 and 4 weights were 4 piece rods. They don't get to travel, and are jealous, but two piece rods are a real PITA through an airport.

MAO

Great find. Back this up with a pix or two. :)

Your wish is my command, bwana.


The tube extends from 25" to 40", which may fit a 3 pc? I don't have any 3 piece rods, so can't check...unless someone wants to send me one so I can test my hypothesis?? :mrgreen:

http://www.whs.wjusd.org/owens/3.jpg
Tube compared to standard 4pc Redington tube, note the carry strap (which needs to be longer.)
http://www.whs.wjusd.org/owens/1.jpg
4 Rods -- 4pc 4 wt., 4 pc 5 wt., 4 pc. 7/8 wt., 6 pc. 6 wt. -- in one tube
http://www.whs.wjusd.org/owens/2.jpg
Look ma! My trout reels will fit too!! This is an Okuma Airframe/Redington Crosswater 4/5/6

did it come in different diameters??

could it be used as a mailing tube??

Outstanding find. Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to get down there and find my own. The reel part even makes it a greater find.
Thanks!

kelly.

4" diameter was all I saw, but I didn't look, either. Looks like you could use it for a mailer with some duct tape to keep the lid on, and to keep the sections together, but the heavy cardboard mailer tubes are cheaper, and probably more crush resistant.

As far as the reel thing, I am going to cut foam circles to act as spacers, to keep the things from banging together. I am also looking into a way to add some kind of better catch for the lid, I think it comes off a little too easily.

not bad! it even has a strap with it. I made one last year out of pvc pipe to save space in my trunk when taking extended fishing trips. it's much better than having 4 or 5 different rod tubes taking up space.

I had a boo rod in there, and I'm not really sure what happened, but one of the ferrules came loose from the rod while riding around in that tube.