Return or Keep rod

[niiickboy]

So i’ve noticed on my first line guide closest to the reel it has a tiny tiny fracture where it’s held against the rod... i spoke to the company and they’re willing for me to ship out my rod and receive a new one, but don’t all rods eventually get fractured from pressure when fishing? They said they’ll give me a discount on this rod if i wanted instead too. I just don’t wanna wait for a WHOLE new rod if it’s eventually gonna be like how it is after a few fishing trips 

[MN Fisher]

Not all rods get that way - I've got a Diawa 1312 ML/F rod that I've had for 40+ years and the guide-wraps are still blemish free if a little dirty.

 

Shouldn't be hard to 'fix' it though. Maybe Mike at @Delaware Valley Tackle has an idea.

[niiickboy]

@MN Fisher wow 40 year old rod with no blemishes?? can i see it? So do you think i should keep it and take a discount or get a new rod.

[MN Fisher]

Ask and ye shall receive

 

Overview

 

Close-up of the second guide

 

Back then, they used tape covered in epoxy rather than thread - so that's why it looks a bit different. But it has all the original guides with no repairs done.

 

Even the tip-top is the original

 

Far as keeping the one you have now - I'd wait and see what Mike has to say.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

50 minutes ago, niiickboy said:

So i’ve noticed on my first line guide closest to the reel it has a tiny tiny fracture where it’s held against the rod... i spoke to the company and they’re willing for me to ship out my rod and receive a new one, but don’t all rods eventually get fractured from pressure when fishing? They said they’ll give me a discount on this rod if i wanted instead too. I just don’t wanna wait for a WHOLE new rod if it’s eventually gonna be like how it is after a few fishing trips 

The safest option IMO would be to exchange it.  Odds are its a superficial crack, but if the blank is damaged and you have issues with it down the road an exchange may be more difficult.  SLX right?  I got 1 last year because I wouldn't have been able to get the levante or zodias I wanted for a few months no one had them in stock.  I got the 7MHF, not a bad rod, but Im not crazy about it.  Even with the heaviest SLX its really tip heavy. 

[niiickboy]

Yes i have the same rod 7 MH/F, i spoke with a few people and everyone said it should be fine so i’m gonna see if i can get a discount on this rod and if not i’ll exchange, but i rather be fishing than waiting ?

17 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Ask and ye shall receive

 

Overview

 

Close-up of the second guide

 

Back then, they used tape covered in epoxy rather than thread - so that's why it looks a bit different. But it has all the original guides with no repairs done.

 

Even the tip-top is the original

 

Far as keeping the one you have now - I'd wait and see what Mike has to say.

that rod looks like it’s never been used?

[MN Fisher]

Just now, niiickboy said:

that rod looks like it’s never been used?

Oh - it got lots of use...it's still one of my backup finesse rods and I take it out panfishing every now and then. I've caught bass, walleye, small northerns, panfish and trout with that rod over the decades.

[niiickboy]

here’s a closer up pic

[MN Fisher]

4 minutes ago, niiickboy said:

here’s a closer up pic

I looks like it's just a surface abrasion that's discolored the epoxy as I don't see the ends of any broken threads sticking up. Mike would have a better opinion - but it looks to me like a light coat of epoxy over that would keep it good.

[BigAngus752]

So you believe the rod is damaged and you no longer have faith in it and you believe that it should be replaced and the company is bending over backwards to help you BUT YOU DON’T WANT TO WAIT. 
 

You aren’t asking our opinion about the damage. You have already made up your mind about that. You are asking us to approve of your impatience. I will not. Take a deep breath, muster some self-discipline, and get yourself a new rod that you have confidence in. 

[niiickboy]

I mean i will wait if i have to, rather not have a rod that is doomed to break quickly, but from everyone’s suggestion so far it seems like it’s just a ‘surface abrasion’. 

[BigAngus752]

3 minutes ago, niiickboy said:

I mean i will wait if i have to, rather not have a rod that is doomed to break quickly, but from everyone’s suggestion so far it seems like it’s just a ‘surface abrasion’. 

I understand. As long as you are TOTALLY satisfied with it. 

[MidwestBassAttack]

Just return, exchange, and fish.

[Shimano_1]

Id take the discount and fish it. I doubt it'll hurt a thing and ull know soon enough if u fish it. Its under warranty either way.  Personal decision tho if it bother you enough exchange it

[MickD]

I don't see any crack in the photo.  That slit down the middle of the guide is the way the guide was built, if that's what you meant.  If the epoxy has a little crack then a little Sally Hensen's hard clear nail covering will protect it.  But you said the guide was cracked.  Are you sure?  I quite frankly have never seen a cracked guide.   They usually bend without cracking.  

 

 

[niiickboy]

5 hours ago, MickD said:

I don't see any crack in the photo.  That slit down the middle of the guide is the way the guide was built, if that's what you meant.  If the epoxy has a little crack then a little Sally Hensen's hard clear nail covering will protect it.  But you said the guide was cracked.  Are you sure?  I quite frankly have never seen a cracked guide.   They usually bend without cracking.  

 

 

@MickD i meant where the rod holds the guide not the actual guide sorry if my grammar was off 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

That’s just a blemish in the epoxy finish. Structurally it won’t hurt anything especially right away. It may get moisture underneath some day but it’s not a given and not catastrophic if it does. If it were me, I’d take the discount, touch up the guide wrap with Sally Hansen Hard As Nails and fish it. If you want to jump through the hoops to replace it you’re within your rights. Your call. BTW no, stress cracks in epoxy are not sure to happen in all, most or very many quality rods. 

[niiickboy]

I guess my call to wanna keep it was good lol, i appreciate your time, but can anyone tell me why this rod has so many fractures and cracks (my uncle gave it to me like this) it’s a shimano inshore series teramar, it’s only the last two guides, i believed he used it for saltwater for like 2-4 years before he gave me this stradic reel too @Delaware Valley Tackle

[niiickboy]

can anyone tell me what’s wrong with this rod? 

[thunderblack]

I have been down this road after purchasing several rods new and used with this issue. Best I can tell is the guide might have been bumped or even touched slightly and the epoxy just slightly pulls from the blank. Sometimes its very minor and water cant get in but sometimes water can get in a it turns the area white/milky color. If its going to bug you and you have OCD like me just swap it otherwise use sally nails on it and just a dab. I have ordered new NRX rods that looked liked the shimano you purchased. Its pretty normal to see with used rods from what I've seen.

[niiickboy]

@thunderblack is sally nails a brand? or a particular product? like what’s the actual ingredients of it? epoxy? or is that brand better for this?

[thunderblack]

Don't use epoxy unless its something you buy from mudhole. Sally's is women's fingernail product that works great and dries clean. Recommended by DVT on here and works better than any epoxy. Dries nice and looks really good for small repairs like this.

[DomQ]

Rod looks fine, those kind of blemishes come standard with 13 fishing rods lol but really, its fine go fish it man. Take the discount and if the rod does brake most guys around me only charge 10 bucks to replace the guide and install, the money you saved there will be more then enough to fix it!

[niiickboy]

@thunderblack is this it? Do you know what the actual product is though? My family owns a nail salon so i’m pretty sure they will have it but not that brand.

@DomQ haha i was thinking the same thing and as someone said before if something happens it’s under warranty anyway, i got 20 bucks back so i got the rod for 3 bucks with discounts and everything not bad lol 

[thunderblack]

That's it. Should be clear. Not sure what is actually is but that's it