Fishing Rods Experience a Variety of Problems
Fishing rods is among the most worn out fishing gear. This is due to the number of times that individuals use these rods to battle the fish in the water. Whether a person is on the water pursuing largemouth bass or individuals is on the water with spinning rods to fight trout, the fishing rod is the individual’s line of connection to the fish.
As the fishing rod starts to experience various problems, the individual’s fishing trip can fall apart quick. Many individuals experience the rods problems before they are able to name the cause of the problem. The good news are that most of the problems that develop within the fishing rod have a cause, and there are fixes to each problem.
The following list includes the most common problems with fishing rod tubes, the causes of those problems, and the solutions to each problem. Fishing rod tubes experience hairline crack in them more than the fishermen might say. These cracks usually appear near the ferrule or near the reel seat on the rod.
Common Problems With Fishing Rod Tubes
1. Hairline Cracks in Rod Tubes
Fishing rods made out of graphite experience hairline cracks more than other materials for the fishing rod because graphite is stiff yet brittlely. These hairline cracks create weak points in the fishing rod. These weak points will eventually cause the fishing rod to snap when the fisherman reels in the fish.
The cracks will usually be hidden within the rods under the finish of the rod or under the wraps that cover the fishing rod. Regularly running the fishing rod along the blank will reveal any spot of roughness on the rod. These spots can be signs of hairline cracks.
If the cracks are caught early enough, thread wraps and epoxy can be used to fix the rods weakness. However, ignoring the cracks will eventually lead to the replacement of that rod.
2. Loose Ferrule Joints
Fishing rod ferrule joint that become loose are high on the list of problems that cause frustration from the fishermen using those rods.
These multi-piece rods require the joint between the rod sections to be snug-tight. With the use of the rod hundreds of times, the sections can wear down. With the wear of the ferrule joint, there is a faint clicking sound with the rod being cast and the sensitivity when the fish touch the lure.
The issue will be felt as mushy when the rod is cast. Many of the fishermen will blame the line or the lure. However, holding the rod horizontally while twisting the sections will reveal any looseness in the ferrule joint.
Some fishermen will use a strip of electrical tape to fix the problem while on the trips to the fishery. However, a new rod section or a professional re-gluing job will fix the problem.
3. Damaged Fishing Rod Guides
The guides on the fishing rod cause more problems than the guides should.
The cheap materials for the guides cause friction in the line, which wears the fishing line. This problem will not be noticed when fishing. However, if the individual change the fishing line and hears a faint hiss as the line passes through the guides, then there is a problem with the fishing rod.
Inspecting the guides will reveal black residue within the guides frames or there will be nicks on the ceramic or stainless steel fishing rod guides. These issues are recognized fastly by those who fish in the salt water. One damaged guide can ruin a fishing rod otherwise without a problem.
To fix this problem, simply follow the instructions that come with the replacement guide. However, to avoid this problem, clean the guides after every fishing trip and store the fishing rod away from sand and salt spray.
4. Loose Reel Seats
Reel seats on rods will eventually loosen from the rod over time.
Due to the amount of torque that is used in battling the fish and the amount of times that individuals tighten the reel to secure the line, the epoxy between the seat and the rod will break down over time. The consequence of a loose reel seat is that the spinning reel will wobble and the drag on the fishing line will not be even. First noticing the problem will be the faint creak sound on the fishing rod.
By the time that individuals hear the sound, the damage has been done to the fishing rod. The solution is to remove the spinning reel and re-epoxy the rod. This is not a job that will be easily accomplished in the backyard.
To avoid this problem, check the tightness of the reel after every few fishing trips. Do not overtighten the clamp on the spinning reel.
5. Water Inside Rod Tubes
Fishing rods will occasionally develop water within the rods tube.
Due to the hollow nature of the fishing rods, water can enter the fishing rod. If rods are stored while wet or stored within a damp case, water will enter the fishing rod. In the winter, the water within the fishing rod will freeze.
As the water expand, it will split the fishing rods blank from within the rod. Additionally, even if the water does not freeze, the moisture in the rod will soften the resin that holds the fishing rods fibers together. If a person notices a problem with a fishing rod, there are solutions to the problem.
First, the person can notice if the fishing rod feel heavy. Another sign of moisture within the fishing rod is if the fishing rod feels sluggish. Tap the fishing rod on the ground with a fingernail.
If there is a dull thud instead of a crisp sound, the fishing rod has moisture within it. Place the fishing rod vertically in a warm and dry spot for several days. Remove the butt cap of the fishing rod if possible.
To avoid the moisture problem within the rod, dry the fishing rod before storing the fishing rod. If the climate in which the angler lives is humid, place a silica gel pack inside the fishing rod.
6. Lost or Damaged Tip Tops
Tip tops on fishing rods will be lost and damaged more than not.
The tip top of the fishing rod is exposed to the damage of the line hitting rocks or other fish or being cast into the brush. If the tip top is lost or damaged, the tip of the fishing rod will be unable to track the line proper and the fishing rod will be vulnerable to splintering. Many fishermen will ignore the lost tip top to fish one more day.
However, having a repair kit will allow a person to fix the tip top next to a stream. The replacement tip top will not be as pretty as the original but will perform the same function. The issue caused by a damaged tip top is the line will fray and the fishing rod will break.
7. Degraded Rod Handles
The handle of the fishing rod can be degraded with time and use of the fishing rod. The cork handles will stain, crack, and compress from the amount of pressure the fishermen put on them. The EVA foam handles will not withstand the pressure as well as the cork but will split or become slick over time from exposure to the fishing rod.
Some fishermen will sand and refinish the cork every couple of years. Others will use aftermarket fishing rod grips to better fit the hand size of the fisherman. The handle of the fishing rod is the interface between the rod and the angler.
Therefore, if the interface is compromised the angler will lose sensitivity from the fishing rod.
8. Improper Rod Storage
Improper storage of the fishing rod leads to more problems with the fishing rod than almost anything else. Fishing rods should not be stored in hot trucks, leaned against a wall for several months or stored within an overloaded rack.
All of these can cause micro stresses to the fishing rod. These micro stresses can develop into set bends, delamination or outright failure of the fishing rod. Additionally, graphite has memory; once the fishing rod is stored improperly, the action of the fishing rod will never again be the same to the angler.
Rod storage should be hanging the fishing rod from its tip or placed on its side on supports that will cradle the fishing rod. Do not store the fishing rod within a tight case. Do not store the fishing rod with the reel attached unless traveling to the fishing spot.
These storage habits will save the angler from having to replace their fishing rod. Fishing rods require minimal care. However, the care that should be given to fishing rods does require some attention.
If small problems with the fishing rod are addressed in their infancy, they will not develop into large problems. By respecting the fishing rod that is the anglers connection to every fish they catch, the angler will experience successes on the water with their fishing gear. The next time an angler feels that the fishing rod is acting up, they can use the mental checklist described in this article.
Following this fishing rod problem mental checklist will allow anglers to ensure that their fishing rods will last for many fishing trips. Additionally, the fighting fish will have a harder time turning the tables on these anglers.