Acolyte users??

[Chris Jones]

I’m not a fan of Velcro fasteners on rod bags at all. I wouldn’t say those acolyte bags fit much of a criteria for me because the sections rattle about just like the daiwa zip up jobs.
I would have two well positioned ties personally to snug everything up properly.

I never use the tie strings on any bag that has them. Hateful things that can do more harm than good. The last thing I want is sections held together (even fairly loosely). Then there's the problem of the ties coming adrift over time. As much as I loved them, the old Daiwa blue logo bags were horrendous for this. Most well used examples have nothing but nubs of the ties left.

A flat multi-section bag allows for some separation of sections if you don't cram them into something else. The Daiwa type sleeves force proximity even if they aren't held together tightly. Only good for leaving ring indentations in the handles when stored. Then there's the issue with the poxy zips when removing sections from the bag. A fine example of form over function. They look good but are actually rubbish. The Alfa Romeo of rod bags! If I liked the rods in them a bit more, I'd be buying bog standard rod bags for them.

Here's what you've got to look forward to if you get unlucky with the Sphere bags.

Fortunately, it's only the 13' Match out of all of them I have. The 14' bag next to it has been used just as much. The middle one shows signs of use but hasn't disintegrated in the same way. (The one on the right is a spare that's never been anywhere.) I did get cheap aftermarket bags for both 13 and 14 when they get taken to the bank. Once I find someone that'll do custom sizes to my liking for the spliced tip 13'6" and 15'6", their bags won't go outside either.

 

[Richard Isaacs]

I never use the tie strings on any bag that has them. Hateful things that can do more harm than good. The last thing I want is sections held together (even fairly loosely). Then there's the problem of the ties coming adrift over time. As much as I loved them, the old Daiwa blue logo bags were horrendous for this. Most well used examples have nothing but nubs of the ties left.

A flat multi-section bag allows for some separation of sections if you don't cram them into something else. The Daiwa type sleeves force proximity even if they aren't held together tightly. Only good for leaving ring indentations in the handles when stored. Then there's the issue with the poxy zips when removing sections from the bag. A fine example of form over function. They look good but are actually rubbish. The Alfa Romeo of rod bags! If I liked the rods in them a bit more, I'd be buying bog standard rod bags for them.

Here's what you've got to look forward to if you get unlucky with the Sphere bags.
View attachment 32549
Fortunately, it's only the 13' Match out of all of them I have. The 14' bag next to it has been used just as much. The middle one shows signs of use but hasn't disintegrated in the same way. (The one on the right is a spare that's never been anywhere.) I did get cheap aftermarket bags for both 13 and 14 when they get taken to the bank. Once I find someone that'll do custom sizes to my liking for the spliced tip 13'6" and 15'6", their bags won't go outside either.

I would (with respect) say that’s probably a you problem than a fault with tie up bags.

I’ve used them for years to snug a rod together (not tight but snugged) without a hint of an issue where as the Velcro type with no section support cause more harm than good rattling around and delicate guides moving about.
Not for me.
zips…..! No thanks to that aswell a good quality tie up bag is def my favourite way to keep rods and guides in top nick

 

[Chris Jones]

I would (with respect) say that’s probably a you problem than a fault with tie up bags.

I’ve used them for years to snug a rod together (not tight but snugged) without a hint of an issue where as the Velcro type with no section support cause more harm than good rattling around and delicate guides moving about.
Not for me.
zips…..! No thanks to that aswell a good quality tie up bag is def my favourite way to keep rods and guides in top nick

It's not a problem, I just do not want bags wrapped back around on themselves. I want them to stay flat so that sections stay separated. You have your preferences, I have mine. That's all there is to it.

 

[Richard Isaacs]

It's not a problem, I just do not want bags wrapped back around on themselves. I want them to stay flat so that sections stay separated. You have your preferences, I have mine. That's all there is to it.

I don’t disagree with different preferences, we like what we like
It was the “hateful things that do more harm than good” I was responding to in that I’ve not found any harm come from using them religiously.
I also hate the lip or hem or seam put on to a bag facing inside. Every single guide on its way out catches them and it drives me mad.

If i could sew proficiently I’d store the originals to keep them mint and put all my rods into practical functional bags.

 

[Chris Jones]

It was the “hateful things that do more harm than good” I was responding to in that I’ve not found any harm come from using them religiously.

You may change your mind on that if you ever have the misfortune of encountering a carbon rod that appears to have taken a "set" after long term storage.

 

[Richard Isaacs]

You may change your mind on that if you ever have the misfortune of encountering a carbon rod that appears to have taken a "set" after long term storage.

What’s long term storage Chris?
I’ve got rods in bags I haven’t even looked at for several years. I don’t know for sure, but I’d expect to take them out and find them as I left them.
Anyway it’s clear you don’t like tie up bags and I like them a lot.
Shall we move on now

 

[Chris Jones]

What’s long term storage Chris?

Multiple years.

 

[Steve Sorrell]

Steve. I have a padded Daiwa sleeve as per the IM9 ones. What length are your sections. You can have if it fits.

Very kind GE.
The sections fit in the IM9 case I currently have but I still want to use that for the 13 footer.
I'll take that off you please.
If you're down here soon, we'll meet up (my round ), otherwise, when my back is better I shall pop up your way for a fish

Steve

 

[Ian Woods]

Talkin rod bags, I am a fan of the drennan acolyte bags. They just have the velcro strip that keeps the flap and bag connected. Then when the bag is folded over and slid into a snug plastic tube alls well.
I do like other bags, the spheres bags are good, but they are a little too bulky when putting them into a tube.
The hardy rod bags are very nice, the marksman specialist rods came in lovely bags with ties and then the marksman superos came in bags which look to be made from the same material as the specialist rods, but they have tab type straps with velcro to affix them...very nice bags.

Regarding that lip or hem thing that catches on the guides, what barsteward they are!