How to determine if used rods are in good condition?

[snake95]

This topic could probably justify a whole article, or maybe a book to itself.

 

I have picked up a few "open box" rods (e.g. without the plastic wrap) recently and they look 100% fine.

 

I look at: 

- Rod visually straight with no chips or significant scratches

- Guides straight and rings intact and not chipped

- Reel seat clean, threads intact, and tightens well without slipping

 

Anything else I should be looking for?

 

Clearly, it is always possible for a rod to have a defect that could lead to failure.

However, I think getting a rod from a reputable seller with at least a short term return option is not too much of a gamble, and a reasonable quick look should reveal any significant issues.

 

 

[J Francho]

Your three points above as well as as you should hear anything when the rod is loaded with line through the guides.  Any creaking or cracking, walk away.  I usually prefer to buy my rods in person, but the past few years that isn't possible since all the stores carry are entry level gear or the inventory has been handles by three thousand people.  It's okay to whip a $400 rod around like a swashbuckler, apparently.  

[Deleted account]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

It's okay to whip a $400 rod around like a swashbuckler, apparently.  

Touche!

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[snake95]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

It's okay to whip a $400 rod around like a swashbuckler, apparently

?

 

This kills me.  What is going through people's minds when they do this stuff with rods??

[J Francho]

I don't know. You go to a music store and you ask before touching a guitar, whether it's a $150 Seagull or $2500 Taylor. Blows my mind what goes on in sporting goods stores. I'll add that it wasn't me skateboarding in the aisles last time I was in walmart. 

27 minutes ago, BassWhole! said:

Touche!

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Your coding is weak sauce 

[MiceNReets]

On 2/18/2021 at 3:20 PM, J Francho said:

Your three points above as well as as you should hear anything when the rod is loaded with line through the guides.  Any creaking or cracking, walk away.  I usually prefer to buy my rods in person, but the past few years that isn't possible since all the stores carry are entry level gear or the inventory has been handles by three thousand people.  It's okay to whip a $400 rod around like a swashbuckler, apparently.  

i remember going to a local shop years ago to look at a SC tournament legend and the guy behind the counter tried to talk it up by whipping the tip around and then he put the rod tip on the ground to show me the action.   Not only did he scrap the guides across the tile but he snapped the rod in half.  LoL.    Now what goes on in people’s mind?  Didn’t realize were catching tile fish?  Right after that he talked up the warranty and asked if I still wanted to buy one.  LoL.   

[soflabasser]

I got Ugly Stiks that are +20 years old and they still catch me very nice fish. I have changed some of the guides which is expected from any rod that is fished often for over a decade. The blanks and everything else is in excellent condition. 

[ironbjorn]

If a rod isn't straight as an arrow, that's not necessarily an indication of a rod in poor condition. Blanks aren't perfectly straight; some are just more noticeable than others. I have mid-high tier rods that have slight noticeable curves one way or the other. Also, don't mistake rubbed off paints on the guides as chipped guides; it happens.

 

A rod could look perfect to the eyes, but then shatter/snap when you fish it because you don't know about any impacts it had that damaged the inner integrity that the eyes can't see.

 

Buying used brands from companies like Dobyns is a good idea because of the warranty. If it breaks, replace it for free; at worst, if it's your fault, pay a small fee and they'll send a new one.

[Konajon]

Guides can have damage not easily seen by eye. Run a cotton ball through them and if anything catches then that guide needs replacing.