Broke A Rod, Thoughts?

[Brandon Dozier]

So I did a bad, bad thing last week.  I closed a truck door on my rod tip.  First time I have done that (in my defense, it was dark).  I'm quite disappointed  in myself but at this point I need some advice.  

 

The rod is a Shimano Sellus.  Love this rod.  MH with xFast tip.  7' casting with regular guides.  The part that broke off is about 8" after I chop off the frayed graphite.

 

My first question:  Is it worth putting a new rod tip on?  This thing set me back $80.00 and I'd hate to see it in the trash.

 

Second question:  If it is worth saving, What will the action be like being 8" shorter?  Do I lose all the action in the tip with this much waste?  My guess would be MH with Heavy action tip.  This was primarily my jig rod, could it still be used as such?

 

Third question: Should the stars align and the rod savable and usable, what should i cut the frayed graphite off with?  I tried this once with a hacksaw but it didn't seem to do all that well.  Suggestions?

 

I'm hoping somebody, somewhere has had a similar problem with a similar rod and can help me.

 

Thanks for reading guys, any help would be appreciated.

 

[new2BC4bass]

Can't help you with what to use to cut off the tip clean.  Common sense says the rod will have a stiffer action with that 8" missing.  Is the rod still under warranty?  Can you walk into a store and get a new replacement?  That would be much preferable if you like the rod.

 

I broke a Falcon Expert.  100% my fault.  Fell face first into a pile of rocks and broke off 2 sections...each about 4" long.  Called Falcon and told them what happened.  Sent them $80 and a 6" section where the rod specs were and they sent me a new rod.  Of course the Expert was almost $300 new and no longer made, so they sent me a $200 Cara of the approximate power and action of the Expert.

 

I read all the time about how great Shimano's warranty is.  Most say all you have to do is take the rod back and they will give you a new one....no questions asked.  Of course, that policy may have changed by now since most times the rod being replaced didn't break due to any manufacturing defects.  Then you have people who want a new rod so they deliberately break the old one so they can get the new one for free.

[.RM.]

Ok as a custom builder. 
Wrap masking tape around the area to be cut, use a high tooth count hacksaw blade, or dremel with cutoff wheel.
Cutting the rod back a full 8" will give you a 6'4" MH/XXF
a medium heavy extra extra fast tip, it will not change the rod power rating MH, just the tip action IMO to very stiff.
It could now be a very good jig rod...

 

 

FYI: according to the Shimano website the Sellus casting rods have a 1yr warrenty from date of purchase.

http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/customer_service0/Rod_Warranty.html

 

 

 

Good Luck & Tight Lines! 

[new2BC4bass]

RM, thanks for the link.  It appears Shimano will no longer replace rods slammed in car doors or driven over by a truck. 

[Brandon Dozier]

RM, thanks for the link.  It appears Shimano will no longer replace rods slammed in car doors or driven over by a truck. 

 I lol'd.

 

Also, thanks for the advice, links and insight.

[Kevin22]

I doubt it is fixable. Your choice to try and get a warranty replacement on it. 

 

If you decide to buy another, tackle warehouse sells them for $50-$60 with free shipping and last I looked they were all over ebay for $50 and free shipping. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Rods can be successfully spliced by a competent rod builder. 8" at the tip is an important part of the blank.  As is, the rod will not load properly with the lure weights you've been using and the tip may be too stiff to be useful except with the heaviest jigs.

[Capt.Bob]

Rods can be successfully spliced by a competent rod builder. 8" at the tip is an important part of the blank.  As is, the rod will not load properly with the lure weights you've been using and the tip may be too stiff to be useful except with the heaviest jigs.

Unfortunately even if you spend the money for the splice at that part of the blank, it's going to change the tips action enough it will be a different rod, If you want to salvage the rod splicing or shortening are both viable options, but it will not be the same action it was, the shorten route is what I would do, A couple bucks for a new tip and see if it will work for ya. Good Luck

[BobP]

I think it's toast and an $80 rod is just not worth the cost of a professional fix.  A 6'4" MH/XXF jig rod?  No thanks.  Sometimes it better to bite the bullet and get a new rod.  Strip off the guides and you'll have a nice tomato stake.  Or cut off the blank at the handle, clamp on an old reel, and use it to hold the line for your lure retriever.

 

Some Shimano rods have an over the counter replacement warranty.  Don't know if that applies to Sellus line.

 

Most warranties do not cover accident.  When they do, you are usually talking very high priced rods that built the cost of "no fault replacement" claims into the retail price of their products.

[Jrob78]

Put a new tip on it and see what you think.  My opinion is it won't be good for much but what will it hurt?  You'll only be out a few bucks and at least you'll know.  You will still have to buy a new rod for the techniques you used that rod for though.

[tomustang]

8" of the top? Sounds like a broom stick if a tip is placed on the end. Dicks has them $60, how'd you pay $80? Shipping?

I bought a shimano similar in price once, their CS was a joke and told me to buy a better rod. Not my cup of tea.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Granted it a big if,  but IF done correctly a splice barely makes a perceptible difference in the action, much less than just chopping it off. The repair material must be a lower modulus (glass), proper length, etc. It's not easy but can be done with acceptable results.

[Chris at Tech]

Granted it a big if,  but IF done correctly a splice barely makes a perceptible difference in the action, much less than just chopping it off. The repair material must be a lower modulus (glass), proper length, etc. It's not easy but can be done with acceptable results.

I have no doubts it can be done, but is it cost effective on a $60 rod? I'm guessing not

[BobP]

I've repaired a broken rod, but not a tip section where the internal hollow is so small.  I did mine from instructions on rodbuilding org's site and it required 3 pieces:  an internal graphite splint, a mid-level graphite section to maintain the rod's length, and an external fiberglass overlay, all fitted exactly from sections cut from other blanks.  I guess a tip repair would have to be done differently but I would be concerned about anything that added weight to or changed the action of the tip.  JMHO, critical repairs are just not gonna be cost effective on an $80 rod.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I have no doubts it can be done, but is it cost effective on a $60 rod? I'm guessing not

Definitely not if shipping is involved. As a walk-in I'd get $24 for this type of repair. I agree, even at that the price effectiveness is a close call. My main point is that the option of repairing a blank need not be summarily dismissed.

[bigbill]

My son just bought me one of those screw on tapered rod tips. I think it's a great idea.