I have had three rod blank failures this year, all have been explained by their owners. One jammed into the car, one dog stepped on in the boat, and one in the back of a truck. Looking at them, all have been on the smaller diameter side of a guide wrap. All have been quality graphite blanks (SC, MHX). It seems odd that all would fail near the tip and close to a guide. I like the wraps pretty tight, am I messing up?

It doesn't matter how tight or loose you wrap the guides if it's jammed against something or stepped on it will break.

I agree with the post before, that if it is stepped or jammed it doesnt matter on how tight the wraps are. Unless we are missing what you meant altogether?

BLAIR M.

I might add that anyone that carries their rods in the back of their truck without securing them or anything else around them is asking for a rod to break. As rodbuilders we should educate a person on how to handle, transport and care for their rods so they don't get broken while fishing or in transit.

When I changed boats, both with rod lockers that didn't restrain the rods, the new boat broke two rods when trailering. A situation that never happened with the first boat. I think thay got jammed tip to the locker wall, failed near the tips. Strange things happen when you don't treat your rods right.

Thanks, I thought the same thing. Can't treat a Corvette like a truck.

Short (not so amusing) add to Lance's (Swampland) post from above. Local charter boat fisherman brought me a set of 15 rods to reguide and "repair" . I looked the rods over - all trolling rods and all with a distinct wear/rubmark between the first and second guide... I though that was odd so I asked him how he transported the rods. Answer : hanging over the tailgate of the pickup truck. Why don't you lay them flat?: .... "I was afraid I'd damage the rods or the reels" .... Yes, true story

I hope you told him if any break at that point Not your fault -- his

Bill - willierods.com

Of course! "Can't fix stupid"

Lets face it. There are some popular name brand rods out there that are darn near industructable. I think some anglers are of the opinion that a more costly rod should be even less likely to break.

It has gotten to that point that I won't even talk blanks to guys that love ugly sticks. Also avoid crappie and pier fisherman:)

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

I love what Ken posted
Can't Fix Stupid
The first thing I usually say to anyone is ( i do not compete with factory rod prices )
heck I am getting ill on worrying about shipping a 8' rod All the work and then it gets messed up because of the shipper Then i worry about any rod I ship

Russ
give them a price They will take it or move on i have not herd from at least 15 plus emails I have gotten Ya I can drop my price BUT WHY

Bill - willierods.com

Here in Florida a sizable portion of anglers put the butt ends of rods in the box of their pickups and prop the rods up on the tailgate, with 3' of the rod's length extending behind the tailgate. The hooks on the end of their lines are secured in the first guide and a two or three ounce egg-sinker is allowed to slide up and down the line between the reel and the tailgate while it bounces up and down. What blank (white, of course) would you recommend for a custom built rod for one of these guys? A one-piece blank is preferred and it should be 9' to 12' long.

Phil, what area? I' assuming more near panhandle. Calstar/seeker blanks come to mind. Some of the lamiglas blanks too. For the truly abusive, gator glass. Haven't tried century and talon but might be worth a look. Local auto body shop and a case of beer could handle the white part.

Sounds like what I was talking about. Many of these guys are buying sub $200 to sub $100 store rods. They handle the abuse and catch (some) fish. Hard to sell them on the concept that they should spend 50-100% more on a custom rod that won't tolerate such treatment.

If I had any sense I'd build fly rods. That crowd seems willing (and used to) paying for performance......plus they like simple/understated wraps:)

Russ in Hollywood, FL.