The short answer
Measure the rod as you genuinely carry it, not from the length printed on the blank. Lay out the dismantled sections with their usual tip guards and ties, record the longest piece, then measure the greatest width and height created by the largest ring. For two to four rods, arrange every section in its intended order and measure the finished bundle without squeezing it. Tell the maker whether reels are removed, what padding you will use and how the tube needs to fit your car. That evidence is far more useful than the rod's nominal length.
Start with packed length, not the length you fish
A 10 ft, 12 ft or 13 ft rod does not require a tube of that same length. The figure describes the assembled rod, while the case holds its separate sections. Build the exact travel configuration on a level surface and measure the longest section from end to end. Leave on any tip cap, sleeve or strap that will stay there in the car. Repeat this for every rod rather than assuming two models with the same advertised length break down identically.
- Break the rod down exactly as it travels.
- Keep normal tip guards and section ties in place.
- Measure every rod's longest section separately.
- Photograph the measurement so the reference points are clear.
Measure the ring projection in two directions
The blank diameter rarely tells the whole story. A butt ring projects above the blank and makes the packed shape off-centre. At the largest ring, measure the total width viewed from the end and the height from the underside of the blank to the ring's outer edge. A front-on photograph beside a ruler shows the shape much better than one number labelled diameter.
Build the one, two or four-rod bundle first
Several rods do not form a neat circle. Rings can be alternated, faced outwards or separated into individual sleeves. Arrange all the sections on the floor in the order you want to load them, add every tie and divider, then wrap a strip of card loosely around the group. Measure its maximum width and height without forcing any ring inwards.
| Load | Critical measurement | Detail to report |
|---|---|---|
| One rod | Highest ring projection | Sleeved or bare sections |
| Two rods | Combined width with rings alternated | Loading order |
| Four rods | Full bundle envelope | Dividers and reduced-load use |
Check the route into the car, not just the boot floor
Measure the narrowest part of the loading route: boot aperture, folded seat gap and any turn the tube must make. A long item may fit diagonally once inside but still fail to pass through the opening with other luggage present. Rehearse the movement with a light cardboard former matching the proposed external length, then decide where the tube will be restrained so that other tackle is not stacked on it.
Send a brief that can be checked
A useful enquiry includes the longest packed section, maximum bundle width and height, number of rods, reel choice and two clear photographs. Add whether the tube is mainly for a car, home storage or repeated trips. If any dimension is approximate, label it as such. That makes it possible to ask a precise follow-up rather than guessing from a rod model name.
Rodborne makes PVC tubes in France for one to four rods, with personalised lengths from 75 to 220 cm. The EU price is €109.99 including VAT and delivery to an EU address. For delivery to the United Kingdom, shipping, taxes and any import charges must be confirmed separately. Share the measurements first so the conversation is about a tube that fits, not just a headline price.
Custom fishing rod tube
Send the packed length, ring projection and rod count for a French-made PVC tube. The €109.99 VAT-and-delivery price applies to EU addresses; UK delivery, taxes and import charges are confirmed separately.
Frequently asked questions
Do I measure an assembled or broken-down fishing rod?
Measure it in the exact state used for travel. For a multi-piece rod, record the longest section with its normal protection fitted. If part of the rod remains assembled, show and measure that arrangement explicitly.
Should the largest ring be included in the diameter?
Yes. Measure both the full width and the height at the most projecting ring. The packed shape is not perfectly round, so a front-on photograph with a ruler is particularly useful.
How do I measure four rods for one tube?
Arrange all four sets with their normal ties and dividers, alternate the rings, and measure the maximum envelope without compression. Test that each set can be withdrawn without catching its neighbours.
What personalised lengths are available?
Rodborne offers lengths from 75 to 220 cm. The correct choice still depends on the longest protected section, closure space and the internal packing you plan to use.
