Bought a St. Croix Avid, but the tip seems over glued

[The Pond King]

Hey guys,

I bought a new St. Croix Avid 7' MHF. I own three other Avids, and have been very satisfied with the Avids. I personally think that these rods are the best rods for the money - bar none.

Unfortunately, however, the Avid I received looks like the tip is a bit over glued. Not in the eye it self, but on the smaller two "prongs" that attach to the blank. It looks like a tiny clear ball (see pics below). Because of this, I am not satisfied. I am thinking about sending it in for an exchange. I was wondering if you guys think it would be worth the hassle of exchanging it. I don't think the over glued area would actually affect the performance of the rod. Anyways, I'd like to hear your guys' opinion.

 

[Tim Kelly]

Poke the glue out with a pin or something if it offends you. Otherwise, just go fishing.

[edfitzvb]

Before doing anything that might affect your warranty, I would suggest contacting St. Croix by Email and enclose pictures. That way they can respond, saying it is okay to mess with it or that they will replace it. I understand that when we buy new and pay a substantial sum that we have expectations. I am sure that St Croix will respond

[Spankey]

I'm a st Croix addict. I would not sweat it too much but the factory will correct it if you want it done. What I would do is register the rod. Use It have a good time with it. Call the factory and ask for Dan in CS and they'll note it and there won't be a problem if a problem comes up in the future. They have one hell of a warranty and in my opinion the best rods out there. 

Enjoy it and a phone call will eliminate any unrest and make you feel better. Over all my years with using St. Croix rods I had only a couple of issues and everything was taken care of. Repaired or replaced.  

[WIGuide]

It's a little excess glue that squeezed out of the tip. I don't think it warrants a return. The glue used to put the top eye on is basically hot glue, so try poking it out. If it doesn't pop out easily, take a lighter and apply gentle heat and you'll be able to get it out of there. Just be sure to let everything is still lined up when you're done and let it cool. 

[MickD]

Unless you've dealt with hot melt attached tiptops before, I would not recommend heat.  It doesn't take a lot to damage the blank.  I really think you are wasting a worry here, and are dealing with a non-problem .  Picking at it A LITTLE is not risky, but this "problem" will not affect the performance of the rod.  If it really bothers you, enough to get into the hassle and cost of returning it, do what you have to do.  But call them first, as recommended earlier, 

[J Francho]

You can pop that off without any issue.

[Scott F]

Up at the St. Croix store in Park Falls WI, where the make the rods, there is a wall where the "B" stock rods are sold. B stock rods have some sort of cosmetic blemish that for the most part is un-noticeable. The price is reduced around 30% or so, they are marked often on the reel seat, with a B, and the warranty is reduced to one year. My point here, is that a blemish like the one you have is more pronounced than anything I've seen on the B stock rods. How did your rod get past quality control. Where did you buy the rod? I wonder if the seller replaced the rod tip for some reason before you got it and was sloppy in the way they secured the tip. If you have registered the rod with St Croix, and it was purchased new, I'm sure that if you wanted to go through the trouble, they'd take it back.  

[J Francho]

It's tiny dot of tip top glue.  It's not a blemish.  Just knock it off with tweezers or something.  If you've ever replaced a tip top, and used the proper powdered glue, you've seen this.  It's easier to let it dry, and break the glob off than try to wipe it off with an alcohol soaked swab when wet.  That often makes a bigger mess.

[S Hovanec]

That is far from a blemish, its tip adhesive.  It happens to me every time I use hot melt tip adhesive.  Someone just forgot to remove it after it hardened.  Just poke the glue out and enjoy the rod.

[Red Bear]

ive never seen such a fuss made over a little dab of excess glue. knock it off and go fishing for crying out loud

[stk44]

  This is my favorite emoji in situations like this.

[Jeff H]

I had epoxy in one of the guide rings on an Avid and I scraped it out with an Exacto knife.  Barely touched it and it flew right off.

[Poolshark]

I own two avids that are now 14 years old that look over glued at the guides. Never really cared. Still great rods