This can be a problem - all kinds of suggestions as to how to wrap them up well so they don't get damaged which can be tough as well as finding a shipping company.
I was trying to UPS an old ABU 484 back to Ireland from California last year and it would have cost me 200 dollars...

. The US Postal Service has a length restriction on packages, so I was pretty much down to shipping company or the Air Line, so you're probably the same.
Of course, if you know somebody who would take them as check-in luggage or is shipping other stuff in a container try that, otherwise check if the airline freight dept will deal with them, or look for a shipping company. The problems is for small lots it won't be cheap though. Could be its cheaper to rebuy the rods there even.
Re: packaging them up - somebody suggested a wavin pipe to me, though Veals have no problem with elongated cardboard boxes and bubble wrap.
I just bought a thing in the US called a Bazuka (
http://fishing.flambeauoutdoors.com/otd ... asp#bazuka) which is brilliant for check-in travel. Though you need to be very explicit to Airport security what it's for! Cost me less than 40 bucks in Big 5...