I have no problem with that color either. Colt, if you haven't seen it, search Alvin "Ice Tube". It's similar in appearance to the Epic tube and comes with a shoulder strap.

I had the same thought. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that the standard carry-on suitcase is 22" long. The 5 pc tube is just under 20" and so obviously would fit. I think the longest tube that would fit if laid diagonally would be about 23", maybe a hair longer. Not sure what the length of the 4 pc tube is, but based on the formula for the 5 pc tube I'm guessing the 4 pc tube probably is 24", so it may just be a bit too long for a carry on suitcase. So perhaps that's the reason. Or perhaps they just think folks will see the new offering and feel a need to fill a hole in their lineup that until now they never knew existed. I see that I'm in the minority on the color.

I think it's a great option to offer - I'd actually be very interested in a 5pc version of the 580 or 686, since they are more general purpose rods.

So, 20-3/8" versus a 4pc tube at around 25". It must be the ability to fit into a carry-on bag that is the impetus behind this.

According to the math, a 5pc 580 tube should come in around 21-1/2". Compared to around 26-1/2" for the current 4pc, and around 33" for the now-discontinued 3pc.

I really want to build and own that rod! I would love to see some photos, when you are done.

Wes

If Mr. Pratt at CTS had anything to do with designing this, I'd think it to be a home run. Packability matters to some guys. It used to matter little to me, but when we travel now, I LOVE having 5- and 6-pc glass rods to pack into carry-on bags since with 2 kids (and a third on the way) I find myself juggling enough as it is if we're getting on a plane or even packing up a vehicle. I haven't handled one so I can't judge but there's nothing about modern well-designed pack rods that would deter me from building one or fishing one.

The standard for airline carry-on is now 22” x 14” x 9”. That is for pretty much all the US carriers except Southwest and Alaska which are a bit larger. So the three dimensional hypotenuse of that test box at the gate is just over 27.5” but that is for a piece of string, a rod tube may be as much as 2” in diameter so you have to consider that if you are asked to put it in that test box. The rule of thumb that I use for finished tube length is total assembled rod in inches divided by sections plus 2” for ferule overlap plus 1” for adequate foam and end caps. That’s a bit conservative but works pretty well. If you reverse engineer the numbers a 8’6” 5 pc in a 2” diameter tube will fit. I built such a rod for just this reason. I hate all those ferules as much as anyone but if you want to carry a rod on board with no arguments, that’s just the way it is today.

I'm colored challenged, so I usually end up with a clashing combination if I'm not careful. I like the invisible with black tipping, but I'm sure there are some other good combinations.

Rust? Dark brown?

The only disadvantage I can see in a 5 PC. Rod is the price......aurelio

In general 5pc are more exspenive than a 2 PC. I am a big pack rod fan and have 3 5 PC. Outfits that fish as good as any two PC.......aurelio

My blank came in. Wow, it's orange.