Inexpensive Rod Socks/Sleeves/Protectors

You can pay anywhere from $5.00 to $10.00 for a "Rod Sock" or protector if you want. A guy on BBC (the bass fishing site) introduced us to his DIY version.

I bought 100 feet of 3/4 inch expandable mesh material from eBay for about $16.00 shipped. There are tons of vendors selling this stuff, you may be able to buy it even cheaper. Obviously, 100 feet will make 18 or so rod socks. Might make more, as I didn't want to cover the reel handle portion.

Please note...I use baitcasting rods...spinning rods will require a much larger tube due to the larger size eyes.

The process is simple.

Cut the tube to five inches longer than you need.

Grab one end and squeeze them between a pair of long-nose pliers.

Heat the end with a Fire-starter, cigarette lighter, butane torch or any source of heat. That melts the end so it doesn't unravel.

Fold the long end over itself and use a wire-tie to keep it folded. All that does is keep the rod tip from poking through.

Take the other end and fold it over, making a "cuff". Stretch it out over a wine bottle or other tapered non-flammable bottle; vase; tube; funnel, etc. Heat that end with a heat gun or your wife's hair drier. You can use a Fire-starter here, too, if you move it fast.

I added some wire-ties and put a bead or piece of tape in different colors onto each sock and the same color, using tape, onto each rod. That way, when you have three or four socks off, putting them back onto the correct rod is easier.

Have fun.

richg99



https://www.amazon.com/SF-Casting-Fishing-Cover-Sleeve/dp/B016W00XLC/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1523751398&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=rod+socks&psc=1

AWESOME!

I've been building custom rods and would love to ship them with these knowing I can whip them up at a low cost per unit!

I've found the very best feature of having these socks is that my rods don't tangle with each other anymore.

I keep a half dozen rods in my van at all times. They hang from the clothes hangers built into the van. I use two clothes hanger rods and slip the rods on top.

Formerly, even when I did the twist and stow system, one or more rods would wind up inserted into the line of the rod next to it. With the rod socks, they never get tangled anymore.

I added a picture of the rods hanging from the holders. They fit very tight to the ceiling, so they are difficult to see.

rich

Looks like the production socks using this type of material have an inch and a half of heat shrink tubing at the tip end giving it a more finished look.

Great tip, thanks for sharing!