Reader Reviews

Rating: 1 / 5

I'd been looking for a light, tough fishing rod tube for a long time and was excited to find this option. Despite fantastic customer service with a special request and fast shipping, this rod tube quickly made it to the unused gear pile.

It's just way too flexible and soft. Very little pressure is needed to collapse it. For less than a 0.5 oz penalty, a same-size carboard poster tube from an office supply store is 10X cheaper and many, many times more rigid.

I will give it 1 star for being the lightest thing I've tried yet, but at 4.1 oz (vs 3.7 oz for the same size BPL one), my Office Depot tube will be carrying my rod for now. Incidentally, 1.5" cardboard tubes are available, too. I have one for a pack rod that's only 2.4 oz after being cut to size and it's still way tougher than the plastic BPL one.

I'd love to see BPL source something a bit thicker that couldn't be pinched together with two fingers. There's got to be something between PVC and this stuff!

Rating: 3 / 5

I guess I have to disagree with the 1 rating. I'd give it more like a 3.
I got the 1.5 in diameter tube after using a somewhat heavier tube from work (about 2x, no idea where it was from) that didn't have end pieces. I've used the BPL tube for my flyrod for 5-6 trips now and it's entirely adequate especially with the fleece rod sleeve inside as well. A cardboard tube won't last in the rain. I'm sure more rigid stuff is out there somewhere. I've found that not everything ultralight is bomb proof and you just need to be a bit more careful.

Edited by rgless on 08/09/2006 22:37:41 MDT.

Rating: 4 / 5

I have used the 1-inch tube on a number of trips and found no problems. Also makes a great spring pipe.

Rating: 4 / 5

My review would be between the 3 and 4 ratings above. I give it a 4 because it does a few things well: (1) it is as light as advertised and (2) it protects the rod from the major problems like branches catching an end of the rod and breaking it off or catching a guide, etc. and (3) fits well in my pack side pockets.

I agree that is a little flimsy. In fact, I was a little disappointed when I first opened it and realized that it is not stiff enough not to bend fairly easily. However, after putting my flyrod in there, I noticed that it no longer bends as easily and actually protected the rod from bending. I put an old flyrod in there and try to catch it on a branch while walking, it wouldn't bend near as much as just the rod by itself. And the tube prevents the branch from catching one of the lighter parts of the rod, like the tip.

I'm not saying I'd put my bamboo rod in it and go treking down the trail, but short of a titanium rod case, I think it works adequately. I would give it a 5, but I am left wondering if there is something else out there that might be better, as the posters above said.