DIY Rod Socks

[Borch]

I just spent a couple of evening sewing up a batch of rod socks before a weeklong vacation. They are pretty easy to make, inexpensive and a real time saver in regards to getting your rods in and out of a rod locker without the tangles that occur from too many rods stuffed in there. Wouold make a good bad weather of winter time filler as well

All you near is a yard or two of ripstop nylon(a yard make about 7 or 8 rod socks. 3 yards of 3/4" elastic per yard of material and a yard of velco or simular product(the non adhesive type, its cheaper and you don't need the sticky stuff).

Make a paper pattern to look like a long triangle with the tip nipped off. The tip should be around 4 " wide and the base about 7" wide, use a straight edge to make your nipped off triangle. As far as length goes I found 54-56" works well for 6' rods. I also did a coulple of 36" ones for broken down two piece rods. Increase or decrease length based on the length of your rods. Using your pattern cut out your material. Use a pinking shears to help with material fray or do what I did and singe the edges to keep them from fraying(fire makes it more manly right? Roll over a 1/2 material on the base and sew a seam. Cut 12" of elastic material and 2" of the velco( you can skip the step for bait casting rods/reels. But the velco is very nice for the spinning rods). Sew the hook half of the velco onto the end of the elastic and the loop side onto the outside of the base about 2 inched from the long edge but butting up the the base(seamed edge). Sew the elastic piece about the same on the opposite edge of the base. Test it so you make sure the velco will match up. Turn the sock so it would be inside out and match the long cuts and pin it to hold it in place(after a while I eliminated this step as it slowed me down). Sew it into a seam about 1/2" from the edbe the entire length. I then singed the edges and turned the sock right side out.

Sounds kinda complicated but really it's not. I haven't been at a sewing machine in 5 or 6 years(and only the mend my manly hunting clothes when my wife ws too busy) and I did up 18 socks out of 2 yards of material in 5 hours. I mean I'm really slow and that included all the cutting out and stuff. If you're handy with a sewing machine or your wife is it would go much quicker.

Final tally, 18 rod socks, 5 hours, $18 in suppies. About $1 per sock.

[river-rat4]

I would have to say that if the weather is on the side of the fish, what a better way to spend it! Taking preventive maintenance measures. I like it.

I have suggested to my wife to get a sewing machine, and I would play with in the fowl weather. Good tip.

I have the Croxton Ice Bag and do have issues with merging lines and hooks, your tip would help.

Thanks Borch (Love the Cream of Chicken wild rice recipe you posted)

Brandt

[Borch]

I haven't made them yet for ice rods but we were talking about making some up as they sure would come in handy.