Couple options - broke my rod

[CybrSlydr]

I broke my rod yesterday - forgot to put it in the car and ran over it.  Ugh.  It's a Dobyns Sierra 6'9" spinning rod.  Really nice rod.

 

So I have a couple options - I could pay for a replacement but have to drive a couple hours to a store that is an authorized retailer for them.  I could go buy another spinning rod or I could use this opportunity to also get a baitcasting reel and try some baitcasting instead of just spinning.

 

Thoughts?

[new2BC4bass]

I got back into fishing in '09 after about a 22-23 year hiatus.  I went almost 100% casting.  Previously was 100% spinning.  You probably could guess what I would suggest. 

[Choporoz]

NOT driving four hours would be well worth the $20 shipping that Dobyns would charge.  I guess, since that rod is worth zero right now unless you use the warranty, I'd look at it as getting a brand new Sierra for $80

[JustJames]

driving a couple hour might not worth compare to shipping. You can compare cost to ship plus replacement fee, if it is still less than half of brand new rod, I would say go for it. You might contact Doynbs if you can ship just a short section to save shipping cost.

[OnthePotomac]

Now is the time to become a bait caster and you will love it, especially looking at all the options available in reels.  Hang on to your wallet.  I eventually found myself hardly picking up a spinning reel and doing things with a baitcaster normally reserved for spinning reels.  Loved the challenge.

[LionHeart]

Give bait casting a try.  Expect to be frustrated and back lash for a while, and then prefer it to spinning gear.

 

Sorry about your rod dude.

[CybrSlydr]

I wonder if I could do a swap with Dobyns?  Send in my broken and ask for a baitcaster Sierra instead of a spinning?

 

Only thing is I'd still need to get a reel.  

 

Other issue is that all of our tackle is designed for lightweight rods.  Weightless Senkos, Ned rigs, small Rapalas...  Probably wouldn't work with a casting rod.

[LionHeart]

11 minutes ago, CybrSlydr said:

I wonder if I could do a swap with Dobyns?  Send in my broken and ask for a baitcaster Sierra instead of a spinning?

 

Only thing is I'd still need to get a reel.  

 

Other issue is that all of our tackle is designed for lightweight rods.  Weightless Senkos, Ned rigs, small Rapalas...  Probably wouldn't work with a casting rod.

Easy fix.  Now you also have a good excuse to buy more tackle ?

[FrankN209]

As others have suggested, try baitcasting. It's well worth it. You can have both, spinning and baitcasting. 

[Lead Head]

I would definitely recommend a baitcaster. Casting 5" senkos with a baitcaster isn't hard at all. I can get 30+ yards consistently with a fuego ct on a MH dobyns fury. I'm sure a spinning rod can reach out farther but I really don't have much need to bomb cast weightless senkos and I am infinitely more accurate with a baitcaster. 

 

 

If you do decide to go baitcaster don't jump straight into light stuff. Start off practicing in the yard with weight near the top end of your rods rating. In no time you will be slinging senkos. If your new setup will need to cast neds and small rapalas you will be better off sticking with spinning gear.

[kenmitch]

Shipping the required section to Dobyns would be cheap.

 

Quote

No Hassle Replacement Policy – Through Dobyns Rods

Don’t have a local Dobyns Rods retailer? You can use the No Hassle Replacement Policy through Dobyns Rods. To save on shipping your broken rod to us, simply cut out the 6 inch logo section (example pictured below) of your rod and send it to us in a PADDED ENVELOPE with the appropriate replacement fee and return shipping detailed below.

 

[Choporoz]

17 minutes ago, kenmitch said:

Shipping the required section to Dobyns would be cheap.

Agreed.  In fact, a phone call and a photo might satisfy them without shipping anything.  Was all I needed for two other manufacturers. 

[CybrSlydr]

Do you think they'd let me switch from a spinning to a casting rod?  They're practically the same price.  Figure a 1/4oz-3/4oz rod would be a good range?

[Choporoz]

Call them and ask.  That is exactly what I did with a Fenwick.  Snapped a spinning rod first time out.  Called them and said that I'd rather replace it with a casting rod...they simply replaced it at 'no cost' with a (next generation) baitcasting rod.

[kenmitch]

6 minutes ago, CybrSlydr said:

Do you think they'd let me switch from a spinning to a casting rod?  They're practically the same price.  Figure a 1/4oz-3/4oz rod would be a good range?

Yep. Same series, same fee involved.

 

Quote

Upgrade a Broken Rod to a Rod in the Same Series

• The damaged rod
• A brief note indicating the rod you want to upgrade to
• Check or money order to cover the replacement fee + the difference in the MSRP + return shipping
• Your original sales receipt
• Your return address
• Daytime phone number

 

You can even upgrade the series and pay the msrp difference.

[CybrSlydr]

47 minutes ago, kenmitch said:

Yep. Same series, same fee involved.

 

 

You can even upgrade the series but not sure about pricing.

lol  I was just on that webpage.  

 

I might even enquire about upgrading to the Champion XP casting rod - nominal fee rather than paying full price out of pocket.

 

EDIT:  Something like the DC 704SF.  

[a1712]

Dobyns has a " No Fault " warranty? Brian.

[CybrSlydr]

Just got word back from Dobyns.  To upgrade to the Champion XP casting rod, it would be $170 total (includes S&H).

 

If I went this route, what would be a good reel to plop down on it?  Let's say...  $200 is the top of the budget (unless there's something close that is worth a few extra bucks).  Casting distance is a big concern of mine since I'm currently a bank angler.  The rod I'd get has a lure rating of 1/4oz-1oz. 

 

The *** Concept Zed interests me, there are also more than a few Shimano reels at that price range as well as Diawa.

[new2BC4bass]

Generally speaking I would have to say the reel would play a minor part in distance.  Rod and lure are more important.  However, for maximum distance the right reel will help some.

 

There are two sides regarding spool weight.  Some feel a lighter spool will yield longer distances because it starts up faster.  Some will say a heavier spool gives longer distance because it takes longer to slow down.  I'm partial to this side for normal weights.  Start up is near instantaneous.  Spool slowing down continues over a longer period of the cast.

 

Any reel recommendation I could give would be based on my preferences....not on any known fact of a reel's ability to put a lure on the moon. 

 

Some reels I have made long casts on:  Primmus Xi HS, Chronarch 100B, 50th Anniversary Zillion, older Trion, Gen 1 STX, Curado 201E7, Helios Air, Curado 51E to name a few.

 

Usually I suggest a person buy the reel that interests them the most.  Should make them happier in the long run.

 

[DanTheFireman]

I started fishing as a kid in Key West over 60 years ago and besides limited conventional reel use in the ocean have always used spinning equipment. Four years ago I got my first bait caster, a Daiwa Lexa and had a fairly steep learning curve, later found I hated that reel. I now have over twenty bait casters and use them more than 90% of the time; one Daiwa Zillion, a few Lews, an Abu and the rest Shimano - Curados from I to K to DC, TranX, Antares HG with Yumeya spool, three Metanium HGs etc. IMO for less than $150 online the Curado K is hard to beat and would be my choice bang for the buck. I would strongly recommend trying a lefty reel if you cast right handed, natural for me but a lot of friends have made the switch.