In March of this year I built a IMMORTAL IMMC72MH-TC for a return client for whom I have built numerous Rainshadow rod . He's a pretty big guy and fishes tournament frequently. He called me a couple of weeks ago and said the rod had broken into three pieces when he set the hook on a LMB. He admitted he had swung hard on the bass; but was surprised when it broke. He also said he loves that rod and wants me to build another for him.

I got the broken rod back from him and contacted John Cox at Batson to get an RMA number and sent the broken sections of the rod to Batson. Before shipping the rod pieces, I inspected the broken sections and did not see anything that give me the impression of a manufactures defect.

I just received this email from John.

"Don",

"While we didn’t detect any of the usual characteristics of defective material we will err on the side of caution and send a replacement IMMC72MH-TC at no charge."

Regards,

John

John Cox
Warranty Department

Needless to say, I am simply amazed at the customer service and the replacement of the blank at no charge.

Not only does Batson Enterprises and the Rainshadow line of blanks lead the industry; but their customer service goes way beyond my expectations!

Don Campbell
don@sensorfishingrods.com

Donald, that's outstanding that Batson would do that. Especially after the rod had been fished for a few months.

About a month ago I put up a thread on this site describing how I had a rod I built on the same blank, break. Mine, much like I suspect your customers blank didn't break on a hook set. For the almost one year I fished the rod, I'd absolutely powered fish on the hook set with my rod, with (to my knowledge) no ill effects.

Mine got broken when I didn't react quickly enough to a 40"+ muskie (I've since knick named "The Flash") hitting me right at the boat and then using my boat as shade. Dang thing pinned the rod against the rub rail ....... and BANG!

Not the blanks fault which is why I'll be building a replacement rod on the same blank. I'm just waiting for the Fall draw down on the reservioir I was fishing so I can get the other part of the rod back. I figure I'll save a little money by stripping the guides off.

I just hope no shore walkers beat me to it. lol

David,

I believe him when he said it broke on the hook set. He's a fishing buddy and a straight up guy. His co-angler also told me he broke it on the hook set. He as big as a barn and he said he took a "big swing" when he set the hook. I can imagine a "big swing" for him can brake just about any stick! I told him next time don't swing quite so hard!

Don

Don Campbell
don@sensorfishingrods.com

Donald, my apologies for my poor choice of words. What I was attempting to say is that I was thinking it would take more than just a big hook set to break that blank.

Then again I wasn't there, so I shouldn't have mentioned it. Again ..... my apologies.

As for the advice to him not to swing so hard ...... my guess is that you said it with a little chuckle? lol

David,

No apologies necessary. The thing about the broken rod that surprised me was it was broken into three pieces! I have never seen that before. I inspected the rod breaks before I shipped it up to Batson and I did not see anything that made me think it was a manufacturing defect; but I thought I would let the experts give me their opinion. Batson Enterprises has definitely gone the extra mile "on the side of caution"!

Don

Don Campbell
don@sensorfishingrods.com