Are higher end rods more " fragile "?

[jbmaine]

Hi all,

 I've (knock on wood) never broken a rod, but I've never had a rod that cost more than $100-130. I'm contemplating taking the leap and picking up a couple of rods in the higher end range. The advantages of lighter, more sensitive rods are obvious, but is there a down side to this. In other words are higher end rods, being made as light as possible, more fragile, more apt to break? Do you have to be more careful than normal with them?

                                                      Thanks

                                                             Jim

[new2BC4bass]

I have formed an opinion from my reading.  I have no facts.  Nor do I build rods.  More expensive blanks are made from higher modulus materials.  These materials are lighter (and more brittle) to achieve the extra sensitivity.  Resins are used to glue the fibers together and give the rod more strength.  Too much resin would defeat the purpose.  I believe that knocking a rod against a hard surface could result in a higher modulus rod breaking on something like a hard hook set whereas say an IM6 rod wouldn't be affected.

 

This is only my understanding from reading posts.  I recently got a couple of these more expensive rods, but have as yet spent very little time with them.  I do plan on handling them with care, but I do that anyway.  I'll just try to be extra careful as $200 is a lot of money for me.  Heck.  Losing a $100 rod would be stressful for me.

[Stephen B]

New2BC4 is correct. Higher end rods are way lighter, way more responsive/sensitive; however, they are a bit more fragile due to their nature. However, high end rods have much better warranties to offset this. I wouldn't be concerned with buying high end rods at all as the additional performance is to die for. 

[WRB]

How do you "normally" handle your rods?

One of the most durable rods on the market are Shakespeare Ugly Sticks that can handle abuse.

If you take care of your rods and reel, don't throw then down, step on them or high stick the rods, then higher modulus lighter weight rods should be OK.

Tom 

[jbmaine]

27 minutes ago, WRB said:

How do you "normally" handle your rods?

One of the most durable rods on the market are Shakespeare Ugly Sticks that can handle abuse.

If you take care of your rods and reel, don't throw then down, step on them or high stick the rods, then higher modulus lighter weight rods should be OK.

Tom 

I handle my gear with all normal care. As I said ( knock on wood ) to date I've never broken a rod. My concern is, with a higher end rod, would I have to be even more careful with it. I wouldn't abuse it, but I wouldn't baby it either.

[GReb]

3 minutes ago, jbmaine said:

I handle my gear with all normal care. As I said ( knock on wood ) to date I've never broken a rod. My concern is, with a higher end rod, would I have to be even more careful with it. I wouldn't abuse it, but I wouldn't baby it either.

Most all $200 plus rods have long warranties if not lifetime replacement. I would not worry about it. They are still capable of plenty of abuse 

[DanTheFireman]

Agreed, an Ugly Stick is hard to beat as far as the abuse it can take. The number one thing to avoid with the high end rods other than banging around is high sticking, lifting the rod tip up above your head under load. 

 

[MickD]

I believe that all rod and blank manufacturers will agree that the high end, lighter, more sensitive, high mod rods are in fact more affected by stuff like high sticking and hitting one against the boat, as in jerking lures.  I've seen statements from some of them to that effect. 

 

Is it a problem that should keep a reasonably careful person from investing in them?  Not in my opinion. I have only upper mid to high end rods (build myself) and while I screw up now and then, I've not broken one except for catching of a  shoe on one in the boat, essentially high sticking, and jamming the tips  into a bulkhead of a rod locker that didn't control the rods well enough in travel.

 

Remember this ad? One of my favorites.  

 

 

[jbmaine]

Thanks everyone. Maybe I'm paranoid . I just don't want to spend the $$$$$$$$$$$$ on a high end rod, then hold my breath every time I use it.

[Stephen B]

4 minutes ago, jbmaine said:

Thanks everyone. Maybe I'm paranoid . I just don't want to spend the $$$$$$$$$$$$ on a high end rod, then hold my breath every time I use it.

They are more fragile, but nothing to worry about. The benefits offset the disadvantages by a long shot. 

[bish0p]

High modulus graphite are not more brittle than lower modulus graphite. Less material is used to get the same stiffness as a lower modulus material. The blank is lighter, the blank wall is thinner and more likely to break.

[LCG]

Yes there is a difference as far as brute durability. However, there is also a difference in sensitivity, action, balance, and quality components. More than worth it if you enjoy fishing.

 

You can catch fish on budget rods no problem, it's just nicer to use better equipment.