Conference wahoo::fishing

Bruce,

For what it's worth...despite the apparent ruggedness of the 1/4" thickness 
of the cardboard tube, I wouldn't suggest trusting a case made of cardboard 
to survive the handling it will receive on a plane (I assume you're flying, 
yes?)

7' rods??  Don't they break down?  

One rather inexpensive alternative is to use PVC tubing.  It's been 
discussed before in previous notes.  It will certainly be more rugged than a 
cardboard case and won't become damaged if it gets wet!  I know I wouldn't 
trust a couple of hundred bucks worth of rods to cardboard! 

-Joe-

    Your right Joe...
    
    	I dont think that I would trust the duct tape either. 
    
    	Go for the PVC pipe. Use a vulcanizing joint compound for the
    end cap. This stuff is cheap, and certainly worth the extra protection.
    You might try a wood screw or two to hold the other end on. All
    of this is at your local hardware store. I'll bet $10 will do the
    whole trick.
    
    P.S. Remember the days when we got a tube with our new rods?
    

	Make that 3 in favor of PVC.  I have a PVC rod case that's been on 4
round trips to FLA.  If you like I'd be glad to show you the SCARS it carries.
If you're going to 'hand carry' it (they won't let you these days) you'll be
okay, but if the turkeys handling my baggage can break the casters off my
luggage (which they did last week) I don't want my favorite rods being kicked
around the same way.

	READ ---- "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR"

	FYI...  this year I sent my rods Priority Mail instead of letting
		Continental lose/break them.  The max weight through the mail
		is 70 lbs, on a plane there sems to be no limit.  I have had
		the airlines charge me an extra 10 bucks for the long tube with
		fishing rods, and an assurance that the contents of the tube 
		was NOT guaranteed.

	Bruce,
			GOOD LUCK,
						Al

    Also, remember to pack the rods inside the tube so that they don't
    bang around.  Fabric sleeves are best for this -- for one trip,
    you could probably lay the rods on a sheet and roll them up.

    	Or better yet, pack the rod in some of your good old small bubble
    bubble wrap compliments of guess who.  Gives the extra protection
    of shock absorber inside the PVC.  I wouldn't want to backpack with
    a 4" PVC tube full of rods.  I wouldn't want to ship my rods in
    my backpacking tube on a plane.  So, use the extra small amount
    of money and go PVC for protection.  They don't call those guys
    loading the planes "BAGGAGE BUSTERS" for nothing.  So, if you like
    your rods, protect them as well as you can from these guys or be
    prepared to buy new ones.
    
    Just my opinion.

    Well...after reading all this I had to beef up my idea a little
    and I also did some field testing last night. I found the only place
    the tube was weak was the ends so I made a couple of wood plugs.
    One, I have glued and stapled (the big electical staples for running
    wire) in one end. The other one I am putting a knob on and will probably
    just tape it accross the top (but I may put hinges on it). The wood
    will keep the ends from being crushed. As far as the rest of the
    tube goes, I tryed bending it, wacking it off walls etc and I could
    not crush it so I think it will make it one trip and back. I think
    the buble wrap idea is a good one, I still have some at home from
    when I moved.             
    
    Only time will tell, and hey thats what I pay the big bucks to
    insurance companies for.
                        
    Bruce (only_15_more_days_till_I_am_into_some_tarpon)
       
    

Bruce,

One last test you should perform...



		TRY BENDING, WHACKING, AND STOMPING ON THE CASE...



			A F T E R   I T   I S   W E T ! ! !
 

-JOE-

    Buy one. Save the effort, time and RODS! I have owned a Plano for
    12 years. They are industuctable. It also slides and locks, to accommodate
    rods of different sizes. 
    
                              NIGHTCRAWLER~~~~~~~~~~~

    I agree with Joe. Spend the bucks!! You ain't fishin' for Tarpon
    with "zip gun rods" or telescoping tubular steel. Once the case
    gets wet (as they frequently do on runway baggage carts), it might
    as well be Cashmere. They put carpets in 'em because you walk on
    carpets... Of course, the insurance claim paperwork may be more
    fun to cast with, if your rods do an el foldo, but the modulus is
    less than optimum for fighting a fish.
     This reminds me of two guys I saw one Dec. in Pulaski at 7pm on
    one of those -35 wind chill days cooking dinner in their motel parking
    lot. They were using one small frying pan on a single burner propane
    stove. Great Lowball!
    
    _the Skoal Bandit (who apologizes for "sugar coating it".

    I would vote for the PVC tubing, etc. This is also easily accomodated
    on vehicle roof racks... just look at the top of your neighborhood
    Plumber's truck.
    
    Re: - several.
    
    Joe, you mean you put up with the flat spots and loss of action
    inherent when a ferule (of any type) is placed in a rod blank?
    Try a one piece rod...especially in lengths of 7 feet or less, 
    you may never agian use a 'break-down' rod.
    
    Bagel

    the pvc route was reccomended to me in here a few months ago...
    when I went to the h/w store to pick some up, I spotted a length
    of rain gutter down spout (square, heavy plastic)... it was cheaper 
    than the pvc, and much lighter...it worked ok... 
    
    however, I now have a Plano case... for $15 you can't beat it...
                donmac

    Another vote for Plano. It survived a trip to Alaska and back no
    problem! It costs 40 bucks or so but the rods inside it could add
    up to ten times as much!

    FYI - The el cheapo rod case worked fine back and forth to Florida.
    I am not saying it is an Ideal solution but it worked for me.
    
    Bruce