Broken Rods!

[SteveTX]

Let me be clear this is NOT about a brand! This has nothing to do with the brand I have broke numerous brands.

Yesterday I fished again. About 6pm I was pitching a jig and stuck me a fish. I was bringing this fish in and pow I snap another rod. This time right in the middle of the stick. Now look at that fish and start . I swear I have broke more rods on the smallest of fish. This is the second 5 power rod I have broke this year.

I noticed this problem was getting worse as I broke 3 rods last year one 4, a 5 power, and one 6 power. These rods were just $100 rods so I stepped up to the $150 ish range in hopes of remedying the breakage.

I admit I fish some really heavy cover and I am a 6ft 255lb guy that swings for the fence on the hookset. Last year I tried backing off the force I use to set the hook and it is really hard to do. I was catching some fish that the hook wasn't even penetrating. And I am sure I lost some because of that as well. So I went back to full on hook setting. 

I do not scrub my rods and polish them every time I use them. Heck I try to once a year to clean them up. Other than that I do try and take good care of my rods. When at home they are stored on a vertical round rack with soft plastic clips holding them. When not there they are always in a sleeve like a Stick Jacket or a Rod Glove in the boat. Rarely are more than 3 rods on my deck at a time. They aren't being stepped on or clashed together. Also these rods are at the most 2 to 3 years old.

So tell me what gives? Are you guys breaking them? Why am I breaking so many rods? Is it normal for fishing like I do to break 2 or more rods a year? I am looking for solutions. I cant afford to be ordering $150 and up rods regularly.

Just to put this in perspective. The guy I often fish with uses way less expensive gear, never cleans a rod, never bought a rod sleeve, and literally piles his rods up all the time. Yet he hasn't broke not one single rod. Does he catch as many fish as me, probably not but I do own the boat and fish the front 90% of the time.     I feel stupid when I try to justify a break and think well my rod must have been bruised in that spot etc. His rods cant be any less than 80% bruised. 

Earlier this year. Another little fish. 

Here is one of the lesser expensive Magnum Heavy rods that literally shattered. I did not break this into pieces it did this when I set the hook. I have a witness. It was crazy. Best I remember it was about a 2lb bass that I set the hook on when it happened.

[Bud Kennedy]

I have only broken 1 rod in all my decades.  I am a small guy and I don't do a monster wind up and set the hook.  My hooksets are of the snap variety.  I do have friends that break rods but they all have the same pattern.  They step back, wind down and put everything they got into the hookset almost to the point if they miss the hookset they almost go over the other side of the boat. 

You are a fairly big guy and using your legs, core and shoulders is a bunch of force that no rod can stand for long.  Perhaps you need to consider more of a snap set.  Perhaps a chat with Bo James might help.  He has a hard hookset but it is all with a snap set.  Curious to find out if he breaks rods. 

I understand that Rick in SFL also does monster hook sets.  Not sure if he has the same problem since he also fishes in some fairly heavy cover.

Maybe the next time you go fishing you should cut a cord of wood first just to tire yourself out.   

[geneinnc]

No give in the braid. Try 12lb mono or fluro. Also how are the rods stored? Anything that could be chipping the finish? My rods are all in the rod locker inside a rod sleeve. Best money I've spent. I stuck one in the ceiling fan by mistake and the sleeve saved it.

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[Ron Fogelson]

Braid will show the week spot faster is all but in 99.9% of the case with high end quality rods the break has happened long before the failure.   With todays high carbon/feel they are not near as forgiving from impact or crush damage.  Most likely a failure in the mid section like that is due to being stepped on or smacking the TM/cowl/Big Motor while casting some time in the past.

[LgMouthGambler]

Ill admit that Im not as "gentle" with my rods as I am with my reels. However, I have never broken a rod on a hookset, nor have I ever had one shatter like that Inferno has. Man, I have not a single clue as to what is going on with this situation. 

[Mike Cork]

As Ron said, a failure in the middle like that is generally from a previous ding. Maybe hitting the trolling motor while pitching (I do this all the time). Stepping on it during the excitement of a catch... Lots of things can be happening.

I've got a brutal hook set and I use braid almost exclusively. I've broke one rod that I couldn't explain.

Also like rod said most failures of this type are from damage that happened previously. Because quality rods last, after damage happens it might take the right pull-twist-surge to finish it off. This could happen as you've just experienced, on a smaller bass after just catching a 5 pounder.

If you are breaking two a year, I'd look at travel. Even stored, if there is a vibration point that causes rubbing or bouncing on the same section of the rod, this could eventually cause a failure. Make sure when boat flipping that you are leading the fish into a jump into the boat and not pulling dead weight. Don't high stick. I once broke a rod because I boat flipped at one pounder at me and caught it. I let the rod drop putting the butt on the deck and the rod against my body. Then I dropped the bass, this pulled the tip straight down and broke the rod about in the area yours in this post is.

Lots of things can cause a failure. As much as you fish, I'd expect them. You can fix it though.... Got to Ugly Stix, they are dead and heavy but they won't break. You can bend them into a pretzel LOL

[SteveTX]

Well thanks fellas. So far all I found out is my next fishing trip I need to follow these helpful tips. 
A. Cut a cord of wood before launching the boat.
B. When attempting to fish extremely heavy cover spool my reels with 12lb mono or fluro.
C. Only use one rod as not to step on any other, and wrap all rods in foam any time not in my hands fishing.
D. If all the above fail get a dead and heavy Ugly Stix. 



Seriously I do appreciate the ideas. It does get me to thinking about all the variables again. I do fish quite a bit. I have made the switch to a jig I now started to prefer. Its a smaller diameter wire hook that is still extremely stout and it is a quite sharp hook as well. Possibly not quite the force will be needed. But as far as force I don't get crazy (never almost fell setting the hook  ).

As for my rods I seriously do watch them pretty carefully. Like I said always keep some covers on them. The only place I see in the locker has a rubber/plastic edge guard material on it and its smooth. I also do know that I am not immune to a bad cast or contact of a rod at some point I am sure it has happened.

I said I cant afford to keep replacing them. I should have said, I do not want to keep having to purchase them. That being said I am going to try and use the Medium Heavy rods I now seem to have an abundance of. Maybe this will help some with rods not breaking or I can break them and try more Heavy or Mag Heavy.

Thanks again

[Mike Cork]

 

One word of caution... before you go adjusting your hookset... The one time you don't put the smack down on, it will be the fish of a lifetime and will jump off at the boat.

[Oldfart9999]

Use wrist snap it's faster and doesn't shock the blank like an all out swing for the moon does. Speed is what you want, not muscle.
Rodney



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[SteveTX]

I understand what you getting at Rodney. The problem is I'm in heavy pads and or vegetation with say my jig. The second you stick that jig hook in that bass he is gone running. Usually down and into the pad stems and grass. Meaning game over. You can't do a hook set and hold even like in more open water. You will lose 3 of 5 fish if you don't move that head up immediately when inflicting the pain. Maybe a little different mess down here than your use to. I see Mike knows what I mean its a hook set and fish control sort of all in one. Its not really a option to not muscle the fish head up right away.

I know my pics this year really dont show how many pads and crud in in the lake. Its the tons of water we kept getting kept burying them as they were coming in this year. They are there just slightly submerged. Here is a picture you can see them under the water solid huge pads. 

[cd1]

Here are a few good sources for reading about rod failure.  This information may help you in your quest.  At the least they should answer a few questions you have about breakage, and at the most they may spark more ideas in your head that will lead to follow on research and ultimately a solution to your particular problem.

An interview with Gary Loomis:

http://www.kistlerrods.com/fishing-rod-media/kistler-fishing-news/fishing-news/gary-loomis-talks-about-rod-breakage.html

An article from Sport Fishing:

https://www.sportfishingmag.com/why-fishing-rods-break/

An article from Texas Salwater Fishing magazine:

https://www.texassaltwaterfishingmagazine.com/gear/tackle/rod-failure

[Stren_g]

I had one break this year, and it was on a hookset. I was pitching into some heavy mats over timber, got the bite and swung hard. The tip let go a few inches from the end. My only guesses are that there was somehow a weak spot there, or by chance my line was wrapped around it and I didn't notice. Either way, rod broke and I lost the bass. 

[Cuervo Jones]

Never broke a rod on a hookset and been catching fish since '84. I don't do the super power set though. And my rods are mostly Cabela's and Berkley Lightning Rods because I am cheap and they work great for how I fish. Also I only use mono, but just spooled braid on my frog rod.


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[FlatsNBay]

I think that new rods now a days are lighter and not as strong. If you ask some of the pros, they break rods all the time and think nothing of it. For me, I cry like a baby!

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[Sandman7925]

I've never broken a rod on a fish. I have hitting the trolling motor or other various mess ups but never a fish. One time the passenger dared me to catch a gator. About a 5-6 footer. I did catch that gator. On a falcon lowrider. And still use that rod.
And when I kayaked fished a long time ago I used bass size rods and reels and caught monster red fish and black drum. Never broke a rod on any of them.


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[FD]

If you're going to to fish higher end rods, you're going to break some.

I only fish with high mod rods I build for myself and I break 2-3 a year.  I've got a big boy hookset too, but it is rarely the hookset that shattered them, it's almost always a previous, unnoticed, ding or bruise that causes a weak point in the blank.

The super sensitive, feather light rods are just fragile, period.

Either accept the fact you're going to break them, or fish 2 lb ugly sticks....


Post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacia est

[Oldfart9999]

I think that new rods now a days are lighter and not as strong. If you ask some of the pros, they break rods all the time and think nothing of it. For me, I cry like a baby!

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I think if you talked to Gary from Dobyns he would explain how today's rods are stronger. I remember watching BASSMASTERS in the 90s and rods breaking, wouldn't bother you if you knew had 6-7 in the locker and the company gave you more.
Rodney

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[JSilva]

I've broken 2 in the last 12 months. Neither on hookset, both about 15' ish from the kayak. 7' rods breaking about 20" from tip. 2 mfg's, 1 7'hvy, 1 7'mh. Both cases with braid.

Fish under control, surges and rod snaps. I'm very careful with the rods and am honestly unaware of any dings, drops or bangs that had ever occurred. One broke 1st time out.

I watch these guys setting hooks like they're trying to pull the moon out of orbit and guys boat flipping good size fish and never breaking rods. Mine haven't been close enough to even grab for the net.

Must be my personality lol

[ike8120]

Don't want to jinx myself but haven't broke any rods yet, even when I was big into offshore fishing.