I'd like to buy a couple of quality (up to $200 each)7 1/2'(+/-), 4-piece spinning rods. One rated about 4#-10# and the other about 12#-20# test. Does anyone know of a manufacturer that makes them? Do any of you custom rodbuilders in here build them?
I would pay more if I can't find one for less than $200 factory-built.

GLoomis makes a

GL3 SR842-3S 7' 4-8 fast action 3 pcs. I have one and really like it.

They also have a GL3 LR 844-3S 7' 10-20 3 pcs. I have never seen this one but it seems to me to be a little stout ???

They both retail for around $300... I'll see how busy we are and get you a quote out by the end of the day...

TH
TH Custom rods
thcustomrods.com

For the past couple of years I've had a Fenwick HMG 3 piece 7 foot pack rod (GPLS70M) rated for 6-15lb line. I use 10lb line with it, and bought it through Cabela's. In 1998 it was $90.

I use it for steelhead when hiking long distances through thick woods to get away from the crowd. It's a little light for the fishing I do but works OK on fish to about 12-13lbs.

It's also short enough broken down to fit diagonally into a large suitcase (or for that matter, hand carry on the plane). My only complaint is that the stripper guide has such a large diameter that the rod has too big a diameter to fit into standard rod cases and the rod itself is shipped in a cardboard tube (and a rod bag).

I've made do by wrapping the cardboard in waterproof tape but what I really need is a plastic or metal tube 2 3/4" x 29" Anyone have any ideas?

Hey Snagly. Cheapest, most durable rod tube in the world is PVC Pipe. Buy caps for each end and cement one end with PVC glue, saw tube to length, and your off to the races. The airline guys can't ruin them. Have actually had friends back over them with a car, and not break the tube. No longer my friends anymore. hehe.

Hawk, you're right again. What's galling is that the answer's been there right over my head for about years now above my bed. (In addition to rods on the canopy bed frame, along my side there's a Plano bazooka tube, a couple of fly tubes of various dimensions and 4 PVC rod cases 4-7' long. The wife gets most of the rods on her side.)

Why I never thought of using PVC pipe I can't tell you -- must of been something I ate when I was 18 or 19, about 50 years ago.

Speaking of PVC pipe for a rod tube, I've been jerry rigging handles on my long PVC tubes so the airline goons don't have an excuse to drop them -- they have to do it on purpose. It's usually something ugly with lots of brown twine and duct tape.

Last trip to Australia the light bulb flickered on briefly when I saw that one of the local guides had attached simple screen door pull handles (the ones that form a long 'C') with stainless steel perforated bands (don't know what it's properly called) that you tighten up with some sort of ratcheting device and then clinch down with a fastener of some description.

I said "I gotta get me some of those" but haven't done anything to date. Very solid looking handles, indeed, so these handles will be something else to look for next time I'm at the local building supply shophouse trying to make myself understood.

Snagly,
Regular steel hose clamps work great for attaching handles to pvc pipe. They are available at any auto parts store in a large variety of sizes.

Thanks guys. I guess I have to go with 3-piece and buy luggage to fit the rods. Probably better this way anyhow, since 3-piece rods would have better action than 4-piece. I've decided to get the Fenwick that Snagly has and the 10#-20# Loomis from TH (I'll give you a call, TH).

BTW, I bought Ken Schultz's Fishing Encyclopedia and it has two pages on rod cases under the "Travel" topic. I'm gonna read it tonight and if it has any handy-dandy tips I'll let you know.

A couple of tips from the Encyclopedia that I hadn't thought of:
1.Cut foam to put at the ends of the tube in order to protect the ends of the rod sections and help keep them from moving.
2.Band the rod(s) together and then wrap them in a bath towel(s) and then band the towels.

Mike L -- steel hose clamps are exactly what the Ozzie guide used. I just didn't know what they were. Now I know where to get them -- or at least ask for them. Thanks.

AK Bill -- Amen to putting foam at either end of the tube, inside the caps. I also cut the rod tube up to 4" longer than needed and mash a pair of sweat socks down at the bottom (and put more socks or undies up top to fill whatever space is left). I rubber band my two piece rods togther, then use an unrolled tube sock over the tip end. I then bundle all the rods togther, maybe weaving a T-shirt or a couple more pairs of undies in-between all the rods for extra padding.

Not only are the rods well-protected but with half my clothes in the rod tubes, I have more room in the suitcase for fishing reels, line and other important stuff.

Fingers crossed, but with this method I haven't had a rod damaged yet (though a couple of rod tubes have defintely suffered some grievous bodily harm en route).

PS It pays to do laundry BEFORE leaving camp at the end of the trip. Otherwise the rod tubes tend to smell bad when you get home and unpack the crusty garments that are protecting the fishing rods!