Some tenkara rods come with a rod tube, and some don’t. Some anglers are hardcore tubers, some throw caution to the wind, and some are in between (like me). An included rod tube is a nice touch, but whenever someone laments the fact that a particular rod model doesn’t come with a tube, my response is that when collapsed, tenkara rods essentially become their own protective cases, so tubes aren’t really necessary. I almost never use mine, but there are a few situations where it’s probably a good idea to use a tube.
First, let me put a finer point on my statement above. When a tenkara rod is collapsed, all the segments are contained in the butt section of the rod (the strongest part). I think this offers enough protection when transporting the rod to the stream for a day trip or when stowed in the side pocket of your pack when backpacking. For day trips, I like to have my rod rigged up and ready to go so I can start fishing faster and maximize my time. I don’t want to add the chore of unpacking a rod from its tube and sack to the tailgate ritual. It’s just one less thing holding me back from getting to the water. When backpacking, I’m always conscious of weight and bulk and so eliminating the tube helps shave ounces and streamlines my backcountry fishing kit. And, again, it’s one less piece of gear to keep track of.
But how much protection does the rod blank actually offer? Of course, this will vary from rod to rod but the butt section of most tenkara rods seems to be more than adequate for most situations. If the rod were lying flat on the ground and you stepped on it, it’s unlikely it would break (though it might suffer some cosmetic damage). I suppose if the rod were leaning against something or in some position were there was enough clearance between the blank and the ground, it could break if stepped on the right way; however, I’m pretty careful with my gear and would never leave it in such a precarious place. So unless you’re really tough on your gear or careless, I think a rod tube is usually unecessary.
Having said that, I think there are some situations where using the tube is warranted. Here are the only times I use a tube:
1. When travelling. I’m not about to leave my tenkara rod’s fate up to the baggage handlers. My rods always travel in a tube even if they’re inside a suitcase.
2. When shipping a rod. Even if I ship a rod in a thick cardboard tube, I always send it in the rod tube as an insurance policy. Even the most disgruntled postal worker would have a hard time breaking that.
3. When storing a rod long term. I have a rod rack on my wall where I keep my most used rods. But rods that don’t see a lot of use hibernate in their tubes until I need them. This is mostly for economy of space so I don’t have both spare rods and tubes laying around.
While everyone has their own level of comfort when it comes to gear protection, I’ve always loved the compact, self-contained design of tenkara rods.
None of my rods have rod tubes but I don’t forsee anything happening to them. Though I always have 2 on my Tailwater pack ready to grab the pack and go when needed.
I have no alternative because almost all my fishing trips are in a commercial aircraft to approach the fishing places, so I need the protection of the tube. My TUSA have an excelent protection but my Daiwa just have a square plastic pack, not secure in my opinion, so if someone has plenty, send a tube around here LOL.
I prefer a good, fitted rod-sock. They are lighter-weight and can stop those inadvertent nicks in a rod’s finish. A rod tube is neat, and I would probably ship a rod in one (if it came with it). I do store the one rod that came with one in its tube. And then that and other rods in a cardboard USPS shipping tube – reinforced with duct tape, of course.
But nearly every time I have the tube in my hand I wonder if it wouldn’t be better for something like a line of Oreo cookies or dried pasta. Worse yet, a pipe bomb nearly always comes to my mind as well.
I only use tubes when travelling as well.
You may remember the one I posted the picture of on facebook, I had yours and Karels stickers on the tube. Simple 1 1/4″ PVC tubing with a little high density shipping foam in the end caps to soften any sliding in the tube so it can accommodate Tenkara rods up to 24″ in the closed position.
I don’t use the tubes. In fact, I don’t use the rod sock or sleeve either.
-Tom
A rod for every tube and a tube for every rod is my motto! They are great place to put stickers too!
Brian
I’ve resorted to 5 gallon plastic Home Depot buckets to store my tubes in. For that matter, I also use the same buckets to store all my demo/loaner rods for the guide business. Nothing says “Class” like bunch of orange buckets full of tenkara rods.
One thing I have been using for the past year to travel/carry rods in are the blueprint/architect carry tubes. They hold between 6-8 rods depending on diameter of the tube, they are adjustable in length, they are light weight, strong, have a shoulder strap, cheap, you can put a whole lot of stickers on them. and they handle airline travel superbly.
John
笑山
I am a huge rod tube fan, I think it is a nice nice touch from the manufacturer. I transport my rods in tubes all of the time, personally I just like the comfort in knowing they are “extra” protected. Silly? Maybe…
I use my tubes in exactly the same way. They are not needed when out fishing but are useful for transporting the rod and keeping it safe. I always put it back in its tube before putting it in the car so I don’t have to worry about something getting chucked on top of it.
I always use a tube. Rods are made of graphite or fiberglass and a slight nick or scratch can easily lead to a break.
I see some dust there! Your tubes look like some great bottles of old wine!
Lol. Yeah. I probably should have cleaned them off before taking the picture!
I use a tube holder made out of a fluorescent light cover cut to size for bike touring. Kept my Tenkara rod safe in my frame bag, even after a crash.
Morning Jason,
My two cents is this, I took a tube from one of my, dare I say it? Western 4pc. rods and I can carry 3 or 4 tenkara rods in it.
In the car trunk, traveling by air in a suitcase, or on an extended fishing trip on my back pack as shown in your article.
so it really doesn’t matter whether or not the rod company includes one, if you have a case fom one of your western multi piece rods you have the perfect tenkara rod carrying case for all occasions.
Off to Florida next week to try a new challenge, Sea trout, Red-fish & Pompano on tenkara.
Tight lines,
Bob T.
Usually hand off the tubes to those who like them….also don’t see that it is a “great debate”. Occaisionaly use the socks for transport.
I nave 18 tenkara/ seiryu rods and at home they are stored in a Fremont rectangular wooden tenor ukulele case with the internal dividers removed. Holds the Shimano ZL too.
I do this because I have three cats…If you have cats, EVERYTHING is a cat toy. Rather not see my rods being rolled down the hall in feline soccer. I find that if your tenkara rod (and ukulele) is in a case you won’t use it much…. But, like I say, beware of feline mischief.
…hey, the way I see it is cigars come in tubes, so should rods…..pretty profound eh?…
I view the tubes as an extra expense I could do without, I don’t use them so they just sit in a cupboard, I have considered selling them on ebay but who would buy them ?. They are heavy and bulky, not really practical on the riverbank.
I’d be interested to know how much of the cost of a rod is really the cost of the tube ? The one rod I bought that came without a tube arrived just fine and when on my way to the river I just strap it to my pack.
I don’t fancy testing whether or not my rod would break if I stood on it, sound a bit high risk.
Never. Especially backpacking. The lighter/simpler the better. Never.
I was pretty excited about the tube my rod came with when I received the package, but to be honest I’ve never used it since taking it out of the shipping box it came in. I view Tenkara as a way for me to simplify the experience, and the tube is simply one more step that I’d rather do without. That said, traveling or shipping seems to be the only times I think I’ll ever use the tube
I have a Patagonia rod which did not come with a case. So I went on the cheap and got 2′ 1 1/2 ” PVC with cap at both end and I’m ready to go. Very sturdy and inexpensive to protect my rod
I agree with Gary Priddy 100%