Report on Rod & Reel repair

BenFishing · May 15, 2012, 03:47:42 PM

For any of you that might need a rod or reel repaired, please stay AWAY from Townsend Express Reel & Pole, 8229 Washington Boulevard, Jessup, MD
(410) 799-1326 ‎

After dealing with this man, I wouldn't trust him to fix a Zebco I found on the side of the road. He tried to pry the drum off my Diawa Zillion baitcaster, with a Philips head. Tried to unscrew screws that didn't exist. Kept telling me my left-handed reel was jammed, as he held it like it was a right-handed reel and it wouldn't crank. Said he wished he had his hammer, cause then he'd be able to fix it...hammer + baitcaster = broken reel! Told me it would take 2+ weeks to fix an eye on one of my poles...."Express" is part of his business name....
I kind of had high hopes when I pulled up to his house/business. It's a little shack that might be 200 square feet. I've had some great work done in ratty looking places. Soon as I stepped in, I knew I was in trouble though...still had a little hope. Trash, dirty clothes, and empty beer cans everywhere, and it smelled worse than it looked. After talking to him for about 2 minutes, he asked me if I wouldn't mind running out and buying him a 12-pack...I found out later that he didn't even have a penny in his house, so apparently if I had bought him beer, it would have been out of the kindness of my wallet. Tried to sell me a dirty old catfishing rod, he called a deep sea trolling rod... When I finally had enough, he told me I owed him $12. I asked him what for, and he said cause he cleaned my reel.....He sprayed it with water and rubbed a dirty rag on it. I told him where he could put that bill and started to walk out...dude was dirt poor, but still had a cell phone....had it out, calling the cops to say I was running out on a bill. Threw a few ones at him and left.
To some it up, dirty, stinky shop/house....doesn't know what he is doing at all....liar....and a 2-con man.
I was nice and gave him plenty of chances to redeem himself. Now, you guys know what his "business" is like, and never need to waste a second in thinking about going there.

West6550 · May 15, 2012, 04:15:49 PM

Ouch! Sounds like bad craigslist ad

bigjim5589 · May 15, 2012, 04:18:16 PM

Ben, sorry to hear you had such a bad experience. I didn't even know the guy existed frankly. $:-\$

BenFishing · May 15, 2012, 04:21:16 PM

I just Googled "reel repair near Odenton" and his "shop" popped up.

No worries, you live and learn. Better that a fairly calm person like me dealt with it and posted about it. Might save somebody with a volatile temper some murder charges in the future, if they need some gear repaired and find this post.

West6550 · May 15, 2012, 04:27:30 PM

Quote from: BenFishing on May 15, 2012, 04:21:16 PM
I just Googled "reel repair near Odenton" and his "shop" popped up.

No worries, you live and learn. Better that a fairly calm person like me dealt with it and posted about it. Might save somebody with a volatile temper some murder charges in the future, if they need some gear repaired and find this post.

True. I just ordered some parts from here if that helps.
http://www.mikesreelrepair.com/custom-repairs-c-179.html

bigjim5589 · May 15, 2012, 04:30:26 PM

For rod repairs check with this fellow: Backyard Custom Rods and Repairs, Call 301-898-1136 or Cell 240-486-0007 email
He has a good reputation.

For reel repairs, I don't know any one in our area. Maybe someone else does.

Pro Reel on here does reel repairs & is a site sponsor, but you would have to send the reel to him. There are several testimonials in the forums about his work & customer service!

I've also bought parts from Mikes in Canada & they're good folks to deal with. The only thing is you have to be patient, since it can take longer coming from Canada.

Edit: Ben, the guy who owns Backyard Custom Rods, his name is Steve. He's been around awhile & knows a lot of folks, so perhaps he can recommend someone locally who does reel repairs.

BenFishing · May 15, 2012, 04:44:15 PM

Thanks guys. I dropping the reel off, tomorrow, at Clyde's Sport Shop. It's not broken....I was cleaning it, and dropped it before I had all the parts removed....the remaining parts shot out and scattered, so I have no idea what order they go back in, and the Daiwa schematic is awful.....looks like a copy of a copy of a copy of a copy........
The rod just has the bottom guide crushed, so not a tough fix, but I want it done professionally because it's a nice rod and it was a gift.

Reservoir Runner · May 15, 2012, 05:42:41 PM

I have heard some horror stories before but I think this tops all of them. Sounds like something out of the movie "Deliverance" without the rape scene.

BenFishing · May 15, 2012, 05:46:43 PM

Quote from: Reservoir Runner on May 15, 2012, 05:42:41 PM
I have heard some horror stories before but I think this tops all of them. Sounds like something out of the movie "Deliverance" without the rape scene.

I left that part out because there are kids on this board.

Nah, I'm sure there's worse. I'm also sure most people would have walked out sooner, but I'm kind slow sometimes.

Baybass · May 15, 2012, 08:58:39 PM

Quote from: Reservoir Runner on May 15, 2012, 05:42:41 PM
I have heard some horror stories before but I think this tops all of them. Sounds like something out of the movie "Deliverance" without the rape scene.

Dude....BenFishing......that was the most horrific but yet somehow hilarious fishing related stories I've EVER heard. I feel your pain, as I'm sure we all felt the abuse the poor Zillion was under....I can hear it screaming from here, and I think this happened for a reason. You've got one heck of a story for the grandkids one day, and in the mean time we all got one heck of a laugh. (mine was long and very loud...now the wife is

)

Sounds like the local shelter, psych ward, or jail needs to deal with this character, I think you can bypass the BBB.org on this one! Does he even have a website?....If so, I've gotta take this computer outside....

. Ben......again......I'm sorry this happened to you.... this is nuts, and thanks for putting this man out there, as this could have been anyone of us. This story should make to to a screen play or at least a major bass fishing related magazine.

tmetz11 · May 15, 2012, 09:56:28 PM

Sounds like the price he charged you is about the cost of that 12 pack lol. Thats a shady deal if ive ever heard one.

BenFishing · May 15, 2012, 10:18:44 PM

Hahaha, love that everyone's getting a laugh and a lesson! That's how I like to teach, through humor.

Nah, this guy doesn't have a website. I'm surprised his place showed up on a Google search, cause when I told him how I found out about his place, he asked me "What's a Google?"

If you ever do go to his place, take some beer and listen to his stories....best laugh out there....
in the short time I was there, he told me he was in the Navy, Coast Guard, Army (Special Ops, no less), and Merchant Marines.....his mom used to own the Texas Rangers.....he used to be a big time guy at Chucky Cheeses (I'm guessing he was the rat)....he used to race motorcycles....he owns over 200 high quality fishing rods...and a dozen other stories...

rhutch · May 17, 2012, 03:19:43 PM

big jim , where is backyard rod repair located?

bigjim5589 · May 17, 2012, 04:14:59 PM

Quotebig jim , where is backyard rod repair located?

I believe Steve lives in Walkersville, MD, up near Frederick.

bass78 · May 17, 2012, 04:37:55 PM

Wow... thats all I can muster !! just wow..