Was wondering why those long rods didn't fit well. Pulled this out and look what I got!

Yeah rod tubes are junk. I had one in my champion that I could never get a rod in. Found the PVC had slipped out and was blocking the entry hole.

The first thing I removed from my Skeeter was the Maxxum trolling motor....followed by the rod tubes.

I'm the exception. When I bought my Skeeter (Demo) I put the rod tubes back in. At the time I hadn't discovered Sleeves. Been thinking (but not seriously enough) about taking it back out.

Never once had a problem with the rod tubes in my Skeeter.

I went to remove the rod tube in my Ranger when I got it, but found they were foamed in so I left them.

Hate them, bent 3 eyes over and finally pulled them out.

Since this is my first Basscat don't know if all of em are designed like the Eyra, but the port side rod locker has a weird shape on the bottom of it and causes the rods to sit off the bottom a little. It also gets a lot narrower really quick towards the front and that's why the tubes get squashed. I've had em in the last three boats and took em all out! First time I've seen em mangled like this. Unfortunately the back end of the tubes are glassed in on the Eyra. But I'll live with it! Every boat has it quirks!

I'm glad mine has them because the smaller boat I had last time did not and it was a pain.

Now if I had a big 20'+ I might be happy if it didn't have them.

Yep, yanked mine as well. They are a PITA.

All you guys that took them out, do you use sleeves or nothing or what? And do you leave the butt end holder in or just lay them all on top of each other?

Sleeves at all times. And yes leave the back in if you want to.

I’ve had my Eyra for almost 6 years. Only 1 tube has given me trouble.

Me either

I hear ya Randy. I jerked the tubes outta my last couple boats as well. Stick your rods in a rod sock and put em in the box. You can put 30 rods in a decent sized rod box without the need for tubes and if you spend 10 seconds getting the rod ready to stow they stay nice & tidy.