User error or bad blank? ( rod snapped in 3 pieces)

[Kwoui]

So my one and a half month old st-croix mojo bass 7'1 2 pieces medium/fast unfortunately broke today... I was jigging and as I was right next to the shore a ~ 3 pound bass bit. I set the hook and my rod broke in 3 pieces, 3 inches away from the top and 8inches from the joint.

 

The fish bit so close to shore and the water was so shallow that as I set the hook on the fish, it actually pulled him out of the water a bit, that's when it snapped. I'm afraid st-croix will assume I high-tipped the rod by flipping the fish since it broke at the tip ( which I know not to do as a friend of mine broke one of his rod like this in front of me).

 

I bought this rod from "local" store (45 mins away) so I will go there when I get the chance later this week or next week but in the mean time I'd like to maybe get some closure. I'm ready to accept that I may be at fault since I did technically pull the fish out of the water using the rod even if my intention wasnt to flip it. But to your knowledge, does the fact that it also broke above the joint indicate that the blank might be at fault rather than being completely user error? My friend is telling me to say nothing else than "I set the hook and it snapped" but I appreciate the amazing warranty service offered by higher end company and I don't wanna take advantage of it since its the reason good warranty are hard to come by.

 

 

edit: forgot to ask, I saw on st-croix's website that you can purchase tips for multi-section rods on their "online store" but no matter how hard I look I cant find where on the website to shop for them, if someone could point me in the right direction I would appreciate it

 

[Hower08]

Just say what happened. You set the hook and it broke. Short sweet to the point. I will no longer buy St Croix products after having two expensive rods break on their first trips out on separate occasions

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I don’t have a dog in this fight, but st Croix makes as quality a blank as you’ll find anywhere. High modulus rods are super sensitive but intolerant of any level of misuse. This includes overloading, high sticking and rough handling. High sticking is any motion that bends the tip past 90* to the butt, which may not involve pointing the tip vertically. In the OP circumstances I think there was a combination of overload and over flex that contributed. IMO honesty is the best policy. Just tell them what happened and ask respectfully what they can do to help.  Good luck. 

[Scott F]

I’m sure St Croix will replace the rod. I had an Avid break and I’m sure it was my fault. I set the rod down while unloading gear from my truck. When I picked up the rod, it had broken a foot from the top. I took the rod back to the St Croix store in Park Falls WI set it on the counter and they brought me out a new one. They never even asked me how it broke. For you, at worst, you may have to pay $20 for shipping back to St Croix. Maybe the store you bought it from Will exchange it for you on the spot. 

[CrankFate]

Not too surprising for a 2 piece fast rod rated up to only 3/8. This is probably why the overseas crowd started using the soft noodle rods for finesse applications.

[Johnbt]

https://stcroixrods.com/pages/service-warranty

 

Under Rod Repair Parts. You have to call them with your serial number so they can match the right upper half.

 

"To get you back to fishing as soon as possible and avoid having to package and ship your damaged multi-piece rod, we now have pre-built top sections for many of our models. These are available in our on-line store for with free shipping within the USA and Canada.

To find the right tip section, please call 800-826-7042 and speak with one of our Customer Guides. To order your pre-built top section, you will need to know the model number and serial number of your rod. See serial number information on main Service & Warranty page. Pre-built top sections are not available for rods built prior to 2001."

[Kwoui]

4 hours ago, Johnbt said:

https://stcroixrods.com/pages/service-warranty

 

Under Rod Repair Parts. You have to call them with your serial number so they can match the right upper half.

 

"To get you back to fishing as soon as possible and avoid having to package and ship your damaged multi-piece rod, we now have pre-built top sections for many of our models. These are available in our on-line store for with free shipping within the USA and Canada.

To find the right tip section, please call 800-826-7042 and speak with one of our Customer Guides. To order your pre-built top section, you will need to know the model number and serial number of your rod. See serial number information on main Service & Warranty page. Pre-built top sections are not available for rods built prior to 2001."

Since it said "online store" I thought I could browse them but I guess not.

 

I gave st-croix a call and we didn't really talk about if I was at fault or not since me being from canada and my rod being a two piece, replacing the top tip is the cheaper alternative.

 

The shipping for warranty claim is $30 us + the shipping on my end

The replacement tip is $35 us with shipping included. It will also be shipped today rather than taking 3 weeks for the warranty claim.