I use the blue pool cleaning net handles for a lot of things. I think they would be better than the steel electrical tube. (lighter anyway) I have made gig handles out of them for years and have a shrimp net on one now. I don't use a very long handle while shrimping so haven't tried to splice one for that. They also make a serviceable rod holder for an aluminium freshwater boat. Just cut them to 10" and fasten them to the seat back with aluminum pipe straps.

Here is how I get mine. I patrol the alleys behind the pool service businesses and look for discarded ones laying behind or under the dumpsters there. Now this may sound crazy, but this is where all that I have came from. Usually the sliding part is stuck inside the blue one and must be removed. This can range from easy to maybe I will just leave it like that. For some reason the garbage pick up men will just toss them out of the dumpster and you can pick up one that has been there a long time. I splice them by pop riveting a two foot piece inside the ends of two blue sections of the same size. Once in a blue moon you will find two blue sections that will just slide together. To prevent looseness just coat the outside of one and the inside of the other with silicone caulk. I also wrapped the splice with fiberglass and epoxy. That is what I use for a push pole and duck decoy retriever. I painted it green and black sort of camo. It looks better that way.

Best regards,
Frankk