Fishing rods are fragile equipment, making it necessary to be careful when packing the rods to mail them.
If you are wondering how to mail a fishing rod, then you have found yourself the right article. You will also find the best way to pack your fishing rod when mailing.
Here Is How To Mail A Fishing Rod:
To mail a fishing rod, ensure that you pack the rod properly. You can take note of the length and weight of the packed rod to get an insight into the likely shipping cost. Then find a trusted shipping company to help you transport the rod to your desired location.
Can You Mail A Fishing Rod?
Like any other sporting equipment, you can also mail a fishing rod. Many shipping companies will accept a fishing rod as an item qualified for shipping.
The major issue, however, lies with the size of your rod.
Most shipping companies specify the maximum package weight they can carry. For instance, United States Postal Service (USPS) will not accept any package with a length and girth measuring more than 108 inches. If you are shipping with USPS Retail Ground, the maximum length acceptable is 130 inches for an added fee.
Extra-long rods that are not collapsible may hardly fall within the size limit of many shipping companies’ specifications.
If the rods fall under the acceptable size specification, you may have to pay an added fee.
Therefore, it is imperative to check with the mailing service you want to use. The acceptable size also varies among various companies.
How To Pack A Fishing Rod For Shipping?
Fishing rods are pretty fragile and must be well-packed before shipping. Packing a fishing rod when you want to for shipping is quite simple. One of the easiest ways is to use a PVC pipe.
First, you should prepare all the tools you will need to pack your rod. These tools include:
- A PVC pipe or a heavy-duty cardboard
- PVC pipe cutter
- Bubble wrap
- Tape
- measuring tape
- PVC end cap
You can pack your fishing rod for shipping in these simple steps:
- First, measure the length of your fishing rod.
- Then use the measured length to cut out the PVC pipe. You can add a few more inches to the final length that you will cut out from the pipe.
- After cutting out the pipe, remove the reel from the rod.
- Then wrap the entire length of the rod with bubble wrap.
- Fit the rod inside the PVC pipe and fill the inside of the pipe with bubble wraps. Ensure that the rod is not free to move around inside the pipe. Otherwise, your rod may get damaged.
One way to check if you correctly placed the rod inside the PVC pipe is to do a quick shake test. Simply shake the pipe several times.
If the rod moves or you hear any sound, you still need to add more bubble wrap to fill the space.
- Next, fix the end caps to each end of the PVC pipe. Then secure the end caps with tape.
If you do not have end caps available, you can use thick cardboard instead. Cut out two circle shapes from the thick cardboard and use them as end caps.
The diameter of the circle shapes can be slightly larger than the PVC pipe’s diameter.
When packing your fishing rod, you should not pack the rod together with the reel. Instead, you can pack the reel separately in a small cardboard box.
How To Pack Multiple Rods?
If you want to pack more than one rod for shipping, it is advisable to pack the rods separately. Wrap the individual rod with bubble wrap and place the rods in a separate PVC pipe of heavy-duty cardboard.
Although packing rods separately is safer, it can be expensive. You will have to pay the shipping cost for the separate packages.
You can pack multiple rods together to reduce shipping costs. Make sure you wrap individual rods separately before placing them inside one PVC pipe.
Also, let the rods face the opposite directions of each other inside the pipe.
How To Ship A Fishing Rod And Reel?
Below are some helpful tips you can use to ship a fishing rod and reel:
- Remove the reel and fishing line from the rod.
- Pack the rod well in a PVC pipe. Fill the interior part of the pipe with bubble wrap. The bubble wrap will protect your rod by forming a cushion for the rod.
- Pack the rod and reel separately since the PVC pipe will not contain the reel. It is better to cover the reel with bubble wrap and place it in a separate box.
- After you may have packed your rod and reel, it is a great idea to know the size dimension before you have the packages shipped. Knowing the size will give you an insight into the price likely to be charged for the shipping.
- You may consider getting shipping insurance for the fishing rod. The reality is that no matter how well you pack your fishing rod, there is still a risk of damage in transit.
The essence of the insurance is to cover the damage incurred in the process of shipping the rod. That way, you will have compensation for the damaged rod.
- Decide the shipping company to ship your rod and reel with. Shipping companies also offer different prices and a varying number of delivery days.
- Select the pricing that fits into your budget. After deciding on the shipping option and price, sit back and patiently wait for your rod to reach the desired location.
How Do I Figure Out Shipping Costs?
The best way to figure out shipping costs is to check with the shipping company whose service you want to use. Shipping costs will vary with different shipping companies.
So if you want to know how much it costs to ship a fishing rod, then your best bet will be to check the estimated price range of the shipping company.
Another tip that can help you figure out shipping costs is knowing the size and weight of your package. Knowing the distance of the location where you want to ship to will also be helpful.
With this information, you can calculate the likely cost of shipping your rod after knowing a company’s estimated price.
How Do I Ship A Long Pole?
Shipping a long pole may not be as easy as shipping an average size pole. The problem majorly lies in the pole’s length.
Shipping companies often specify their maximum acceptable length for packages. For instance:
- FedEx can accept packages up to 165 inches in length plus girth.
- UPS allows packages up to 106 inches long
- USPS can carry packages having 130 inches as combined length and girth measurement
Once the fishing rod package exceeds the length limit, shipping companies will not accept the rod.
You should first know the exact length of your long fishing rod after you pack it. Then check with the shipping companies to find which company can accept the length of your rod.
Takeaway
Mailing a fishing rod does not require any technicality. However, extra-long rods may give you a bit of a problem regarding the shipping companies’ specifications.
Whether you are packing an average-sized rod or an extra-long one, the most important step is to pack the rod well before mailing it.
Also, use a strong rod container for your rods to protect the rods in transit.