Breaking Rods Too Often

[AK-Jax86]

Within the past 2 weeks, less than actually, I have went through 3 St. Croix Mojo Bass rods (two 6'9" and one 6'8")

I have no idea what is going on but how can you break 3 rod tips in that short of a time period. Only one time, yesterday, was legitimately my fault but the other two came while I had a fish landed, could be considered my fault too I guess.

I bought my rods at Dicks Sporting Goods and luckily I purchased the 2 year warranty they offered. This allows me to take rod back in any condition and either exchange it or get my money back to purchase anything that I want.

I really like the St. Croix Mojo Bass rods but not sure if I want to go and get my FOURTH.

Anyone have any suggestions of any other good quality rods, I thought St. Croix were, that DSG carries? Also has anyone had as much bad luck as I have had with any rods?

[PoorBoyBassin]

Money being tight like it always is, I generaly have to buy within my budget (75.00 or less). Two years ago... I started using the BPS crankin stick... awesome pole an has stood up well to two years of crankin...I fish 3-4 times a week around my home area an never leave home with out that pole.. extremely sensitive and a nice back bone... it absorbs the fight well when them biggins are tuggin.... I now own 4 of the BPS rods in various lengths and so far I've only broke one (Completely my fault), and of course BPS allows you to return your pole within the first year for exchange (doesnt cost a thing for that it just is!). Can ya tell I love BPS? lololol

[MCS]

Within the past 2 weeks, less than actually, I have went through 3 St. Croix Mojo Bass rods (two 6'9" and one 6'8")

I have no idea what is going on but how can you break 3 rod tips in that short of a time period. Only one time, yesterday, was legitimately my fault but the other two came while I had a fish landed, could be considered my fault too I guess.

I bought my rods at Dicks Sporting Goods and luckily I purchased the 2 year warranty they offered. This allows me to take rod back in any condition and either exchange it or get my money back to purchase anything that I want.

I really like the St. Croix Mojo Bass rods but not sure if I want to go and get my FOURTH.

Anyone have any suggestions of any other good quality rods, I thought St. Croix were, that DSG carries? Also has anyone had as much bad luck as I have had with any rods?

 

Go down to Gander get you a *** or one of their GSX rods.

[papajoe222]

Sound like they may have been abused, either by store personnel or yourself.  I've seen the way some clerks handle equipment at some of the bigger outlets, so that's likely where the initial damage occured.  On the off chance that you could be the culprit, remember that graphite is a brittle substance and banging rod tips into anything, even each other, can cause unseen damage that could result in breakage later on.  Inexpensive rod socks are great insurance for rods not in use.  Another thing you should avoid is leaving your rod rigged with tension on the tip of the rod.  I've seen guys at the launch load rods with as much bend in the tip section it made me cringe.  My money is on the store clerk

[Diggy]

Are they spinning or casting and what action. You might be doing something awkward to your rods when landing the fish?

 

You can take that 100 and goto academy if near you and get 2 ethos rods that have lifetime over the counter warranty if you wish

[J Francho]

I'd take a serious and honest look at how you're handling them.  Mojo series are pretty heavy, thick walled blanks.  I can't see anyone breaking that many, without some sort of mitigating circumstance.  Heck, I've got over 20 Avids, Premeirs, and LTBs, and haven't broken a single one, and I'm notoriously rough on gear.

[Flukeman]

Definitely sounds like some abuse occured somewhere in those rods travels. It may have occured when you did not even realize or before you purchased them from the store. You really have to look over store bought rods or ask if they have any others out back other than whats on the rack.

[ColdSVT]

are you laying the rods down on the deck while the fish it still hooked?

[MarkH024]

I have 5 of them and yet to break one. I think maybe you're horsing the fish a bit too much. I've caught decent size pike and musky without breaking any. Are you swinging the fish in the boat?

[AK-Jax86]

No I wish i was boat fishing! the two times I broke it when landing the fish I didn't have enough slack in the line an I guess that's how it broke i was trying to juggle the fish and my rod at the same time (first time it happened I was like I don't understand and the second time I did virtually the same exact thing and it broke and I just laughed to myself like really a second time)

I went back to DSG and replaced it again! This time I hope I will be more cautious.

[Bankbeater]

I have broken a rod by reeling the fish up to close to the rod tip.  One good run, and the rod is broken.  Now I lip them.

[Sam]

AK-NJ, is your line test and bait weight within the parameters of the rod?

 

Do you point the rod tip directly at the fish with the line connecting the rod tip to the fish in a straight line or do you hold the rod up so it can play the fish and bend as it is designed to do?

 

When storing the rods to you release enough line off the reel so there is no pressure on the rod and the rod can stand straight up?

 

Did you purchase the rods at the same time from the same retailer? I doubt it is a quality control problem but if you did purchase the rods at the same time there may have been an inherent problem that passed the quality control guys at the plant.

 

I have never heard of anyone breaking that many rod tips in such a short period of time. I have had the tips of some rods break off due to rolling up the car window and getting the rod tip caught in the boat but it happens so rarely that I don't give it any thought.

 

Let us have your input on my queries and maybe we can figure it out.

 

In the meantime, I agree with PoorBoy. My BPS cranking stick is the best cranking rod I have and I have two G. Loomis crankbait rods.  The BPS rods are excellent and I suggest you give them a try.

 

Waiting for your response.

[MarkH024]

No I wish i was boat fishing! the two times I broke it when landing the fish I didn't have enough slack in the line an I guess that's how it broke i was trying to juggle the fish and my rod at the same time (first time it happened I was like I don't understand and the second time I did virtit ally the same exact thing and it broke and I just laughed to myself like really a second time)

I went back to DSG and replaced it again! This time I hope I will be more cautious.

Are you pulling the fish in at shore by handling the rod in the upper 1/2 of the blank? If so you're putting more stress on the rod that way. Or you're catching monster bass and trying to lift them out. I've broken only one rod in my life which was earlier this year. My error completely. Tried to swing a 3.5lb fish in and grabbed too high up the blank and it snapped. It was a medium action.

[thehooligan]

Within the past 2 weeks, less than actually, I have went through 3 St. Croix Mojo Bass rods (two 6'9" and one 6'8")

I have no idea what is going on but how can you break 3 rod tips in that short of a time period. Only one time, yesterday, was legitimately my fault but the other two came while I had a fish landed, could be considered my fault too I guess.

I bought my rods at Dicks Sporting Goods and luckily I purchased the 2 year warranty they offered. This allows me to take rod back in any condition and either exchange it or get my money back to purchase anything that I want.

I really like the St. Croix Mojo Bass rods but not sure if I want to go and get my FOURTH.

Anyone have any suggestions of any other good quality rods, I thought St. Croix were, that DSG carries? Also has anyone had as much bad luck as I have had with any rods?

 

I know dsg carries crucials, id take the two mojos back and grab one of them...

[Fishes in trees]

You could have some recessive rod breaking gene.  Or you may be cursed.    I've known guys like you.  NIce guys, good friends, I'd give them the shirt off my back, but not another of my fishing rods unless I didn't care if I got it back in one piece or not.

 

The only way to tell for sure if you have this gene is to borrow several of your pals fishing rods and see if you break them in short order.  You will be able to tell in a relatively short period of time.  It is common knowledge that borrowed rods break quicker than owned rods.

 

I hope you solve this problem.  I know a couple of guys who have this problem so bad that they can only fish with Ugly Sticks.  They are  truly cursed.

[Capt.Bob]

I would have to think it is user error, as this seems to be one person having this problem with a particular rod that everyone else seems to be having zero problems with. I would change the way I was using my equipment, if you are swinging fish in with the rod and breaking them or fighting fish at extreme angles like some do on TV,,,,,remember, theirs are free, and I have never seen a more irresponsible display of the use of fishing equipment as I have on some of the fishing shows on TV,,,,,,,,,does anyone believe TV is actually "reel world" ,,,,,pardon the stale pun!!!

[lmbfisherman]

I would have to think it is user error, as this seems to be one person having this problem with a particular rod that everyone else seems to be having zero problems with. I would change the way I was using my equipment, if you are swinging fish in with the rod and breaking them or fighting fish at extreme angles like some do on TV,,,,,remember, theirs are free, and I have never seen a more irresponsible display of the use of fishing equipment as I have on some of the fishing shows on TV,,,,,,,,,does anyone believe TV is actually "reel world" ,,,,,pardon the stale pun!!!

Yeah it is nuts on how the boat a bass.  I would never think of doing that, even hesitant on a small 2lb bass.  I'd prefer to reach down and lip it or net it. 

[lmbfisherman]

You could have some recessive rod breaking gene.  Or you may be cursed.    I've known guys like you.  NIce guys, good friends, I'd give them the shirt off my back, but not another of my fishing rods unless I didn't care if I got it back in one piece or not.

 

The only way to tell for sure if you have this gene is to borrow several of your pals fishing rods and see if you break them in short order.  You will be able to tell in a relatively short period of time.  It is common knowledge that borrowed rods break quicker than owned rods.

 

I hope you solve this problem.  I know a couple of guys who have this problem so bad that they can only fish with Ugly Sticks.  They are  truly cursed.

IF they were TRULY cursed even the UGLY STICKS would break.

[bigbill]

I been cursed with breaking rods too. It's my fault for not paying attention to them when I put them in the car mainly in the dark. My last ROD was a $125 fly rod setup. The first time I ever fly fished with success. I broke the tip. other times it's the trunk lid that gets me. Now I'm more careful but I buy any rod that's between $3 to $30 now. I do go for better reels and quality line. I purchase the older new rods that still have chrome plated eyes.

When I first started fishing we used a 5' salt water rod with a zebco 202 reel. Being minutes from the salt water we fished both types of water with this set up. We fished so much we would wear out one reel per year as kids. This goes back so many years that Jerry Mckinnis and had gadabout gaddis the flying fisherman were the only ones on tv. Times have changed. If it wasn't for Jerry bass fishing wouldn't be what it is today. Every Saturday morning I'd be glued to the tv set watching Jerry. Gadabout was on sundaynites if I remember correctly. He had a float plane and would fish off the plane in lakes that had no access.

Sorry for the history lesson.

[AK-Jax86]

You could have some recessive rod breaking gene. Or you may be cursed. I've known guys like you. NIce guys, good friends, I'd give them the shirt off my back, but not another of my fishing rods unless I didn't care if I got it back in one piece or not.

The only way to tell for sure if you have this gene is to borrow several of your pals fishing rods and see if you break them in short order. You will be able to tell in a relatively short period of time. It is common knowledge that borrowed rods break quicker than owned rods.

I hope you solve this problem. I know a couple of guys who have this problem so bad that they can only fish with Ugly Sticks. They are truly cursed.

Funny thing is I use to fish with a ugly stick and that's probably where i picked up my mistake fish landing habits.

[senile1]

Before this year I had gone ages without breaking a rod.  I think I had only broken one before and that was caused by slamming it in a truck door.  I broke two rods this spring and both were absolutely due to carelessness.  I was aware that both rods had been stepped on and felt a little uneasy about it.  I accidentally stepped on the first one, a Powell Max 702, while fighting a fish while it lay on my deck.  A few casts with it after I stepped on it and it snapped.  That was back in April.  I saw my wife accidentally step on the second one gettting in the boat after I dropped her off for a bathroom break.  That one, a St Croix Avid, broke on a cast as well near the end of May. 

 

Rod breakage is almost always caused by misuse. 

[AK-Jax86]

Before this year I had gone ages without breaking a rod. I think I had only broken one before and that was caused by slamming it in a truck door. I broke two rods this spring and both were absolutely due to carelessness. I was aware that both rods had been stepped on and felt a little uneasy about it. I accidentally stepped on the first one, a Powell Max 702, while fighting a fish while it lay on my deck. A few casts with it after I stepped on it and it snapped. That was back in April. I saw my wife accidentally step on the second one gettting in the boat after I dropped her off for a bathroom break. That one, a St Croix Avid, broke on a cast as well near the end of May.

Rod breakage is almost always caused by misuse.

Agreed 100% I have accepted that fact

[0119]

LOL, my best buddy has that gene.  He has even broken Ugly Stick Lights!