Guys- I am mailing 3 seven foot spinning rods to Idaho. My last attempt a mailing a rod via UPS resulted in them somehow breaking an Ugly Stick (yes, that's right) that was in a pvc tube, and then in a cardboard box filled with those d%#@$%# styrofoam peanuts. It traveled the distance of one state and arrived completely shattered and the charge for such service was about $50.00. I have since been using USPS for lower fees and lack of breakage. The rods I am shipping are for a raffle to help a guy with MS. I will be flying out there but don't want the hassle of taking them on the plane. I would appreciate any suggestions for packing and mailing-I'm sure this topic will help others in the future-thanks in advance for any sage advice or even horor stories-David Spence, Cape Custom Rods, Beaufort, NC.

I use very heavy cardboard or PVC but pack the rods inside with sections of pipe insulation, butt, tip and one in the middle. The fit should be snug so if the package is slid along the floor and suddenly stops upon hitting a wall or something, the rod doesn't move inside the tube (this usually results in a broken tip).

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my best advice - insure em when ya ship em

I highly recomment Fedex. Not a lot of restrictions. Fair price and fast service. Lower price if you have an account and they will pickup.

Bobby Feazel

[www.shockwaverods.com]

Conventional wisdom will not open the box.

There is no way you can pack them if they are intent on busting them up. I once had UPS break a bamboo rod that was in a cloth bag inside of a metal case inside of a cardboard tube. As Tom said be sure to have it insured. Also be sure to have all kinds of documentation of the value of your rod including all parts and labor. Even then you will get an argument that it is worth no more than a wally world special. They hate to pay full value. I had to fight UPS for 6 weeks to get $300 back on the bamboo. They said even though I had it insured for $300 it was only worth $50.

I would like to mention a little method that has worked for myself. I go to Lowe's or Home Depot and buy a sheet of the 8'X4' wavy plastic porch roofing material. ( I forgot what it is called ) I cut the sheet into 8' long strips with a heavy duty scissors. I also buy a package of the cheap Velcro straps while I am at the store. Cut your PVC tube a couple inches longer than the rod and cut the strip of roofing material the same length as the tube. Push a couple slots at a good holding place for the rod with sharp scissors into the roofing material that the Velcro straps can be put through to hold the fishing rod centered on the strip of roofing material. Now just fold the plastic roofing strip a little so it will slide into the PVC tube and seal the ends. The Velcro straps will hold the rod to the roofing strip and the rod will not be able to slide length ways and impact the tube ends. This has worked well for me and makes a nice rod tube also. It makes it really easy to remove the rod by just pulling on the end of the roofing material. Sorry for the long drawn out explanation, I am not much at writing. Have a great day, Rich.

just sent a 7 footer to Ontario Can. to my Son,2" PVC tube. USPS 6 days arrived just fine. Wrapped it in a length of foam pipe insulation and some bubble wrap spacers

You lucked out Barry....I sent a antique bamboo 4 piece in a metal original tube to Clearwater B.C. Canada and when the customer picked it up at the post office the metal tube was bent in half. This was sent U.S.P.S and was insured for $800.00 and now the customer is in heated controversy...the problem being is that this tube was in perfect condition and actually worth more than the rod that was not badly damaged inside, go figure. The cost of shipping and ins. was $35.00 and this customer had to pay $80.00 customs charges....our Govt. is not the only rip offs around.

Tight Lines
Tight Wraps
Fishin'Stix by Fred

After several attempts with several carriers and disappointments and broken rods, I have settled on USPS Priority Mail for everything, even international shipping. The damage rate is simply less than any of the others and the price is typically much less while the delivery time is quite good. None of them is perfect, but I just have much less trouble with USPS than any other and I ship odd sized items every day.

Seven foot, one piece rods are a personal challenge to the delivery driver regardless of how they are packaged. I think they feel it necessary to break the long packages if at all possible. I've had them arrive squashed, broken in half, portions of the package missing, tire tracks on the packages, and one that looked like it was used as a lever to raise the truck to change a flat tire. It's a gamble every time you ship.

Joe Douglas