Fishing Rod Repair

[oceansbreeze]

Last week, I placed my beloved 20 year old Shimano rod on the passenger seat of my boat, and placed the tip near the stern. Set off to cross a lake that was now getting increasingly rough... to return to where I had launched.

After I weighed anchor, and grabbed my rod, I discovered my tip had fallen between a crack, and the heavier end with the reel had fallen on the floor, and snapped about 6 inches of the rod tip off during the bouncy ride back.

I used my backup rod and continued to get a nasty sunburn, and not catching anything else for the rest of the day. (Hey, any day in a boat is a good day, I don't care what anybody says! )

Well, I purchased a new Ugly Stick combo yesterday, and swapped my Shimano reel for the Shakespeare one. (I prefer it cause the drag tensioner is on the bottom, not on the top of the reel).

My uncle had given me a nice little rod, with a bad reel on it, so I put the Shakespeare reel from the Ugly Stick on it.... And now, finally, the question!!

Can I repair my Shimano rod? I looked on fleabay for "rod tips" and I can only find the tips. With the missing 6 inches of the rod and the eyelet - it's going to lsoe some sensitivity, right? Should I even bother, or just toss this in the trash? Thanks for reading, looking forward to maybe learnign a thing or two about rod repairs!

 

[dingbat]

Re: Fishing Rod Repair

You can repair just about any rod.

The issue is what is it going to be cost. Most people that ask me to price a repair soon come to the reality it's cheaper /more desireable to buy new unless its a high end rod.

Loosing 6" off the tip typically turns a decent fishing rod into a good tomato stack.

 

[oceansbreeze]

Re: Fishing Rod Repair

lol - ok, thanks. It's no high end rod, just a reliable favourite. Hopefully this ugly stick proves to be a good rod. Thanks for the reply.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Fishing Rod Repair

I agree, 6" is too long for repair.

 

[Tig]

Re: Fishing Rod Repair

My favourite specki stream rod is an ultra light with same injury as yours. A bit shorter and less sensitive made it perfect. I've even used it as a spare for jigging pickerel.
I agree, repair is not feasible and if you don't have a use for it then it's a tomato stick.

 

[oceansbreeze]

Re: Fishing Rod Repair

thanks for the replies. I found the broken piece in the boat yesterday when I was out. I had cut the eye to retrieve my line (rather than cut my line) and it's actually... maybe 2 inches.. Not even close to 6". I may see if the bait shop has some eyelets and just get one put on, and toss the 2 inches that broke off. I agree, it would make a great spare, I have 3 rods on the go now anyway..... I just hate to waste anything, especially when you have a history with it.

 

[ralphl]

Re: Fishing Rod Repair

thanks for the replies. I found the broken piece in the boat yesterday when I was out. I had cut the eye to retrieve my line (rather than cut my line) and it's actually... maybe 2 inches.. Not even close to 6". I may see if the bait shop has some eyelets and just get one put on, and toss the 2 inches that broke off. I agree, it would make a great spare, I have 3 rods on the go now anyway..... I just hate to waste anything, especially when you have a history with it.

order up a tip repair kit with assorted sized diameter tips. they come with heat glue, put on the right tip and while you will lose some senitivity it will be all right for trolling , jigging ,and may surprise you. Rods are hard to part with when they have history ..

 

[raven7]

Re: Fishing Rod Repair

Even our local Wal-Mart carries rod tip repair kits.

 

[Petey_racer]

Re: Fishing Rod Repair

You can also get a new top half for the rod. If it is a one piece you cut the rod off at a certain point and smooth the end. Then the new tip goes on perfectly like any other two-piece rod.

Thing is you need a caliper or micrometer to precisely measure the shaft.