Stick or shaft (3)
I believe the answer is:
This clue is a double definition.
'stick' is the first definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'shaft' is the second definition.
(thesaurus)
(Other definitions for rod that I've seen before include "Sceptre" , "Bar, shaft" , "Staff" , "Former measure equal to a quarter of a chain" , "Fisherman's item" .)