Has this ever happened to you before? You just bought a new fishing rod and you’re super excited about taking it out with you on your next fishing trip.
But just as you’re testing it out, something goes wrong, and your fishing rod snaps or breaks.
You might think that all is lost and you need to replace it. But that’s not always true! People often throw out fishing rods that can be repaired with a little time and effort.
Instead of tossing your fishing rod in the nearest dumpster, try your hand at repairing it instead.
Sounds daunting? Have no fear because we will show you, step-by-step, how to fix a broken fishing rod.
Knowing how to repair fishing rods can increase the lifespan of your fishing gear and save you a good amount of money in the long run.
Whether you’re a seasoned angler or you just like fishing for fun, knowing how to fix a broken fishing rod will always come in handy. Want to find out more about fishing rod repair? Keep reading!
Fishing Rod Repair Kit: Things You’ll Need
Before you start on your repairs, you need to assemble the tools and materials you need to fix your broken fishing rod. Here are the things you need to have in your repair kid:
- Lighter or any kind of heat source
- 180 or 220 Grit Sandpaper
- Rod Cement
- Razor Blade or Utility Knife
- Dowel Rod
- Sandpaper
- Epoxy paste
- Flex coat epoxy kit
- Rod wrap finisher
- Toothpicks
- Tissue or a soft cloth
- A toothbrush
- Tinfoil
- A small bowl
- Tin snips
- Super-line
Fishing Rod Repairing Tips
Now that you’ve gotten everything you need, let’s move on to fixing the fishing rod itself. There are a couple of steps involved when repairing fishing poles and we’ll walk you through them all.
Here’s what we shall cover here:
- How to Repair a Broken Fishing Rod Tip
- How to Fix a Broken Fishing Rod Eye
- How to Mend a Broken Graphite Fishing Rod
Identify the Problem:
Take a closer look at the damage and see what it is you need to fix. Where is the break and what kind of repair is needed?
If the crack is clean or on the blank and away from the guides, the repair job is reasonably straightforward. But if the broken part is shattered and jagged, it will need a longer insert and more detailed repair with the epoxy.
How to Repair a Broken Fishing Rod Tip:
If your tip is broken, the most important step on how to fix a broken fishing rod tip is to heat it and remove the glue or adhesive. Use your lighter and hold it over the place for a few seconds.
Use sandpaper to sand the tip of your rod to make it smooth. This will make it easier to attach the new tip. Then use your knife or blade to cut some rod cement.
Then, melt the rod cement that you cut into the new tip of your pole. You will use this as an adhesive.
Finally, place the new tip on by attaching it to the top of your rod, keeping it in line with the guides. Clean up the rod and tip before the cement dries.
Wondering how to fix a broken fishing rod tip ring? If the tip ring is broken, slowly and gently heat the tip shaft.
Lots of heat will soften the rod tip and melt it completely. When the glue that holds on the tip is softened by the heat, the rod tip should slide off by itself.
Melt some hot glue and dab it over the rod tip area. Lastly, slide on the new tip, once again making sure it lines up with the other guides and that’s all there is to it!
How to Fix a Broken Fishing Rod Eye:
- If the eye on your fishing rod guide is broken, you have to replace it completely. Use a utility knife to cut from the bottom of the guide tip to the top, cutting off the thread and epoxy. Twist it gently and it should come right off.
- Then, get rid of all the old thread. Use a lighter to heat up the hot glue and keep the new eye nearby. Dab a bit of the hot glue onto the eye. While the glue is still hot, attach the eye to the rod in the position you think works best for you.
- Wipe off some of the excess glue. Wrap the thread around the base of the eye and then start rolling the thread, as it will naturally find its center. Trim off the excess thread and tighten it so that the thread won’t unravel. Coat it with the epoxy and wait for it to dry down.
- Then wrap the break area (more on this later) and apply the top coat with FlexCoat or even clear nail polish to finish things off.
For a more detailed demonstration, check this out:
How to Fix a Broken Graphite Fishing Rod:
- To figure out how to repair a broken graphite fishing rod, first identify where the break is.
- If the break is at the handle or butt you will need to determine if the rod blank goes all the way through the handle and butt. Remove any cap or cover from the butt end of the broken rod. You should be able to see the graphite end of the rod blank.
- Start by sanding the broken ends of the rod so they’re flush. Use sandpaper to smooth the ends so they fit together easily.
- Then, measure the circumference of your rod. Note down the measurements so you know the pole size needed for repairing your rod.
- Cut a piece of graphite pole so it’s about 12 inches long. It should have a circumference that is 1⁄8–1⁄4 inch than your fishing rod. Cut out a 12-inch section of the pole so that it fits inside your fishing rod and supports the rod without breaking.
- If your fishing rod isn’t hollow, then using a graphite pole won’t work. You can either try to attach your rod back together or get a new one.
- Insert the pole into one side of the fishing rod. Hold your rod horizontally so you can place the pole in the rod without it sliding too far. Push one end of the graphite pole into the end of the rod with the handle. Keep sliding the pole into the fishing rod until 6 inches are sticking out from the end.
- If your pole doesn’t fit snugly inside the fishing rod, then wrap the pole with tape to make it thicker.
- Use a brush to spread a thin layer of the epoxy on the exposed end of the fiberglass pole. Once the epoxy is mixed, work fast so it doesn’t set before you put your rod back together.
- Slide the other part of the rod onto the graphite and allow it to dry. Slowly push the other end of your rod onto the visible end of the pole. Make sure the guides on the pole line up with each other. Push the 2 pieces of the rod together so they are aligned. Let the epoxy set overnight so it sticks to the rod.
- After the epoxy has set and is dry, wrap the entire break area, with rod winding thread. This wrap needs to be tight as it adds strength and durability to the rod.
Easy Maintenance Tips for a Fishing Rod
Fishing rods are notoriously delicate so you have to store and use them carefully. Replacing or repairing rods can be more than just a little annoying so a little extra goes a long way.
Here are a few things you can do to prevent your fishing rod from getting damaged often.
Store Your Fishing Rod Properly:
Make sure you store your rod in a safe place, somewhere it won’t get knocked over easily. This means you shouldn’t store it in a ‘busy’ space like a bedroom or utility closet. Instead, keep it someplace where it won’t be disturbed.
The best place to keep your rod in is a locked closet that houses all your fishing gear.
Keep Your Rod Away from Kids or Pets:
Children can easily break your rod and dogs and other pets can chew through it. Not only will this damage your rod, but it is also dangerous for the kids or your pets. Because of this, make sure the place you store your rods have child-safe and pet-proof locks.
Keep Your Rod Safe in Your Car/Truck:
Tossing your rod into the back or trunk of your vehicle is a recipe for disaster. It can rattle around, fall off the back seat, or even fall and break when you swerve or speed. To prevent this from happening, put your fishing rod in a rod tube first.
Make sure the tube is placed someplace safe during transport. Tuck it away in a corner where it won’t be moved around or disturbed. If you are traveling with others, make sure no one sits or steps on your rod by accident.
Keep It Safe When Fishing:
When you’re on a boat, keep an eye on your fishing rod at all times. Getting your boat ready to go out onto the water can be distracting, and it can be easy to forget where you’ve kept your rod. During this time, your fishing rod can go overboard, get stepped on, or even misplaced.
Place your fishing rod someplace safe and away from the chaos. Whatever you do, keep your rod away from the edge of the boat where it can fall overboard.
Choose the Right Fishing Spot:
Once out on the water, select a spot on your boat that you’re fishing in that’s out of the way. Although you might think that there aren’t many places on a boat’s edge that could lead to your fishing rod breaking or shattering, it happens more than you think.
Knowing which areas of the boat will be the most populated with lots of traffic is always a good idea. Choosing a nice, quiet spot can keep your fishing rod out of harm’s way in the long run.
Final Say
Constantly replacing fishing equipment can be troublesome on many levels. Not only will you be spending much more money, but you also have to get used to a new fishing rod over and over again.
Knowing how to fix a broken fishing rod can save you money and make sure you get to use your favorite rod for years and years.
It is also important to understand that sometimes your fishing rod might be broken beyond repair. That’s when you have to get a new one altogether. But in most cases, you can just fix it at home yourself.
So what do you think? Are you ready to try your hand at fixing broken fishing rods?
