Rod Covers/Socks - Neoprene ? Mesh ? None ?

[WaskaCrank12]

Several of the rods I have purchased have come with a "mesh" rod cover/sock. I have recently seen that several companies make neoprene covers/socks. I am considering purchasing additional covers/socks for my rods that currently do not have them yet I wanted to ask this community the following questions first:

Do you use rod socks/covers ?

What style do you use (neoprene/mesh) ?

What are the pros/cons to each style (neoprene/mesh) ?

If you use them are there any specific covers/socks that you recommend ?

Thank you !

[Columbia Craw]

Absolutely.  Neoprene covers for every reel and mesh socks for rods.  My buddy makes socks custom cut to length for me. A member has a set on the flea market right now.

[Choporoz]

6 hours ago, WaskaCrank12 said:

What are the pros/cons to each style (neoprene/mesh) ?

I have both.

Biggest cons for me:

With mesh, you will get hooks in them, and you may poke a tip or guide out the side occasionally.  Neoprene take MUCH longer to dry.

 

[FrnkNsteen]

I use reel covers for my higher end reels and older reels I want to protect the finish (Daiwa TDZ, TD Fuego, and old Shimanos) and mesh rod socks on anything going in the boat.

 

I agree with above that the downside of mesh socks is line guides popping through the mesh or hooks getting caught in them. 

 

I don't use the neoprene rod socks but seems like they would have to be much heavier.

 

Basic reason I use them is to keep from getting lines tangled in the rod locker of the boat.

[Jig Man]

I use the mesh rod socks.  I don’t use reel covers.

[steves191145]

I use mesh rod socks to keep tangle free while in the rod locker. Tried neoprene and hated it ,heavy stays wet and harder/slower to get on and off. I have one reel cover that stays on my daiwa zillion sv tw.  It came with the reel or it wouldn't have one I take care of my stuff but a scratch or three from riding in the rod locker doesn't bother me they are just tools after all.

[padlin]

None, tried mesh, hooks always got stuck. I have all mid grade equipment, if something gets beat up where I can’t use it I’ll just replace it, 20+ years and have yet had the need. If I had something top of the line I’d try a neoprene.

[Susky River Rat]

I use 6th sense neoprene. I do like the fact that they do not cover the bait. Some few like it should go down further. Also I color coated my sleeves by rod action. 

[A-Jay]

Mesh for me - Color coordinated too.

Because that's how we roll up in here . . .

A-Jay

[GaryH]

Neoprene rod covers by Rod Warrior. 

[webertime]

www.rodprotech.com hands down.  Lightest neoprene you'll find.  Can get with integrated reel covers (including spinning reels) and lure wraps.  Tons of colors.  Florida made.  Really inexpensive for a hand made in America product.  The owner is a person you'd call a friend for life after a 5 minute talk.  I'd upload mine but pix are too big.  They float too!

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3p6MU9spso/?img_index=1

 

[bulldog1935]

I can see one advantage to mesh rod covers - keeps rigged lines from wrapping adjacent rod guides when you pick up multiple rods in a single hand.  Second choice is don't do that.  

I totally understand multipiece rods in socks in hard travel tubes, lashed into p/u bed - even the long plano tube for 1-pc rods treated the same.  

 

Since I'm usually in a kayak, don't travel often with more than 3 rods, and have a few secure options, kayak bow bungee and even p/u bed-rail bike holder doubles for multiple rod holders.  

 

Neoprene reel covers are a priority for me.  Both for protecting reels during travel, and keeping dust off reels stored on rods in rod stand.  

[Bankc]

Ask yourself if you actually need either of these.  

I don't use rod covers.  The only times I've damaged a rod, came in instances where a rod cover wouldn't have helped.  To me, rod covers don't do anything but get in the way.  

I do use reel covers.  Less for protecting the reel from scratches, and more for protecting the reel from dust while they sit in my garage.  

However, you might have different needs than me, and you might store and transport your rods and reels differently.  So there's not a universal answer that fits everyone.  You just have to figure out what your rods need protection from and if either of those options do anything about that.  

 

Also, I tend not to buy and sell gear at a rapid pace.  So my plan if more focused on getting my gear to last about ten to twenty years, rather than keeping it pristine so I can resell it and upgrade a year or two later.  

[rangerjockey]

I get tired of the hooks catching in the mesh versions. I've been gradually changing over to the Buzbe neoprene.

[A-Jay]

33 minutes ago, rangerjockey said:

I get tired of the hooks catching in the mesh versions. I've been gradually changing over to the Buzbe neoprene.

Been there myself ~ 

Started using these and that deal is over with.

Comes in two sizes.

I use both

https://www.amazon.com/KastKing-Fishing-Wraps-Medium-Inches/dp/B07C3WRLBJ/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2QOQLWHK82CMK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RaQ2kHpBfZuTF0gxo8ec7-15ZB0weGBsVO8xblavAaozAMzsSBt358j9kWdx8NiKV4WhI8XkM8db9_ImZCZdQgLC7sjinZrAeBKXSxCc8UAnJHo8EVdU3GFdVeXwI0qouDacF_SAmG0RR1ME33YrQzmS3WHINT9_roYu3tq1wYixtpfckURxIQeEm530IAfkbKdJSYOV3mZap1_Jfztztd7zPWsqCaNOHU2CM2o8Uz8_vzu8NxZ97yFsKs97a87PGoRglPZahY_nJf-IvxRmCK64d2Yx9DrDxUpUQFZXO-E.MdI2j2aVaWQOx1bhXvYU-rl_PH9jcuCzuomxzKlKNDI&dib_tag=se&keywords=kastking%2Blure%2Bwrap&qid=1709573747&sprefix=kast%2Bking%2Blure%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-3&th=1

A-Jay

 

[Choporoz]

59 minutes ago, Bankc said:

Ask yourself if you actually need either of these.  

I don't use rod covers.  The only times I've damaged a rod, came in instances where a rod cover wouldn't have helped.  To me, rod covers don't do anything but get in the way.  

I do use reel covers. .

I'm opposite...I have reel covers I don't use, and I insist on rod socks.  Has nothing to do with protection, and everything to do with preventing tangling.  I typically have between 10 and 20 rods in car, shed or rod locker.

I went nuts with tangled rods before covering all of them.  In fact, I recently bought a few extra during sales, because they disappear sometimes and I don't want to be caught short.

[Motoboss]

Neoprene reel covers and mesh rod socks The Rod Glove 

Tried the neoprene rod covers and hated them, heavy and cumbersome and never dry out.

I keep my rods, with the covers on in the Pro Locker Rod Case 

And agree with A-Jay , I use a lure cover too 

[Eric 26]

I use a combination of mesh and nylon rod sleeves and I like the neoprene reel covers.

[WaskaCrank12]

Thank you to everyone who responded to my questions -- as usual here at Bass Resource, good info. !

 

It seems there are pros/cons to the different material rod covers so I am going to take a hybrid approach - I ordered 2 more mesh rod socks, 2 neoprene rod socks, 1 pack of 4 bait covers and a neighbor is giving me a few of his extra neoprene reel covers (he had a number of them in a box that he had used and then bought newer ones, they are in perfectly useable condition for me). 

 

I figured I would do this before going to an @A-Jay level of color coding  

I currently have 8 rods/reels...yet over time I will probably expand that number and would look to color code them (I really like that idea)  

[Choporoz]

Good call on the bait wraps.  Unless you cut off all treble lures at end of every fishing day, they are an essential accessory. 

[FishTax]

I use mesh rod covers. Never on a rod that has a treble tied on though. I use them only while stored or traveling to prevent tangles and the guides from getting banged up. I take them off when I transfer rods to my kayak and stick the covers in my truck. 

[Bass Junke]

I use mesh rod sleeves. I have a small car and 6-11 rods to transport. Keeps everything neat and tangle free. I use Rod Sox. They have a very tight weave so nothing pokes through. I particularly like the tip. I can't tell you how many times I hit the tip on stuff. The tip on the Rod Sox is awesome. Really takes the sting away when you crash into a door frame. The plastic collar is really nice and usually falls right where my hook keeper is and that plastic collar keeps hooks from getting snagged. Most of my rods are long enough and the hook keepers low enough that any bait will not be caught in the mesh because the sleeve does not go that far down the rod. 

 

I don't see the need for reel covers. Off-season isn't really long enough to build up much dust. The only thing that ever happens to my reels is they get wet when I fish in the rain. 

[Maggiesmaster]

I use mesh rod covers to keep lines from tangling. I make my own with mesh from Amazon, shrink wrap, a stovetop gas flame & an empty beer bottle for a mold. It’s on YouTube.

[Crow Horse]

For transporting and storage, I use a modified Apache 9800 rifle case. It's heavy and built like a tank. For my needs it works out great.

 

[JediAmoeba]

On 3/4/2024 at 3:51 AM, Columbia Craw said:

Absolutely.  Neoprene covers for every reel and mesh socks for rods.  My buddy makes socks custom cut to length for me. A member has a set on the flea market right now.

Don't ever put neoprene covers on a wet reel. If the cover gets wet, take it off and let everything dry. It causes major havoc on the internals as it keeps in all the moisture.