What is the best method to ship a 6'6" one piece rod with a trigger handle? Thanks guys

In a tube....

yup, put it in a tube... we had to ship some rods years ago, and just went and bought PVC pipe, and capped one end then threaded the other... put some foam padding on both ends, and everything arrived just fine -- I know they sell the tubes, but PVC may be cheaper

how much did it cost y'all?

$20-30 through FedEx. USPS was going to cost over $50.

i did not know about FedEx was cheaper I tried shipping a rod in a box with USPS and it was like $70. Thanks guys i will try that.

I recently shipped a rod about a month ago. Purchased everything I needed at lowes. Pvc foam tape and end caps. Shipped thru my local postal office cost around 20 bucks. And 25 in materials

Thanks I appreciate it.

I just sent three rods to Miami,Fl, yesterday, by UPS. In 8 foot tube the charge was $50. Not sure if you get much of a break on using a shorter tube but I did notice $20 of the amount charged was due to length.

When shipping rods, put some tape or string around the handle and extend that out the end of the tube before putting the end on.
What that will do is prevent the package handling gorillas from breaking the tip off when they throw the tube around.

Over the past 2 years, I have had to send 3 rods back to the manufacturer for warranty replacement. If you are near a Cabela's (or probably BPS) they usually have a supply of heavy cardboard shipping tubes that they have always just given me one.

I know the post office now has all kinds of different options, and maybe prices have gone up over the last year, but I have shipped my rods USPS and I don't think I have ever paid over $10.

The PVC would be safer. I got 4 in the mail a few weeks ago and the cardboard tube was cracked and 2 rods were damaged.

I know pvc has different grades. What thickness should i get that would not get damaged and not be expensive? Also, would the 5" in 6" diameter be better?