Good lord, Aunty, isn't it apparent????
Guys don't know how to clean, and I knew it before I read it on this thread! Aren't you married? Haven't you noticed?

Take all 12 rods, stand them up in the bathtub. Turn the shower on hot and let them bask in the warm water rinse for about 10 minutes. That should soften up the crud. Use a sponge and some mild soap, ( I'd use Simple Green, as suggested because that really is a dynamite cleaner ) and wipe the rods down. Then let the shower spray for another 5 minutes or so, so you get rid of all that odor so it doesn't get permeated into the line and mess up the shrimp oil/anise/Power Bait/Smelly Jelly/What-Have-You that you're gonna use.

And when you're done, hang up the towels, dammit.
diana