Alex, PROBES not rods.
The E3D at Waddington also has a probe but, as you rightly surmise, has no need to fly in conditions conducive to St Elmo's Fire. Similarly the VC10, TriStar and C130 have probes.
Other aircraft such as the Sea Harrier, Lightning, Buccanneer also had probes as do many other US Navy Aircraft. Unfortunately for you, the types listed have all been out of service for some time.
Modern fast-jets, such as Tornado (sorry chaps), Typhoon, Harrier have retractable probes which are only extended when needed.
With the exception of the C130, these types can all avoid conditions conducive to St Elmo's Fire. The C130 will most times also be able to avoid flight in such conditions.