Fishing rods are essential pieces of equipment for an angler because you can’t fish without one! While modern fishing rods are built with strong and durable materials, it’s still best to learn how to fix a broken fishing rod. You never know what can happen out in the waters, so instead of throwing it away and wasting your investment, fix it up for future use.
But how can you do that on your own? Read on as I’ll be showing you the different ways you can fix your fishing rod and the steps to follow!
How to Fix a Broken Fishing Rod
If your fishing rod snapped, it doesn’t mean you have to throw it away and waste money! If it hasn’t been smashed to pieces, then there’s still a chance to save it. Here are the common ways and steps on how to fix a broken fishing rod:
Snapped Fiberglass Rods
Rods snapping is a common problem! If you see it still salvageable, follow these steps:
1. Gather Your Materials
Before anything else, prepare the materials to repair the broken fishing rod, which are:
- 15-minute epoxy
- Another fishing rod similar in size that you don’t use anymore
- Two-part coating such as Flexcoat
- Rod winding thread
This will take time and patience, so allot at least a day or so for it!
2. Identity the Rod Damages
Once you have everything together, begin working by looking into your broken rod’s damages. Check the break so you know what the action plan will be, knowing where the break and crack is. If it isn’t near the guides, then this will become an easier process since you won’t need to remove anything.
If you have a clean and smooth break, it’s also easier since you won’t need a longer insert to remove pressure from the blank. For crushed or shattered parts, it will take a longer insert and more focus on the epoxy.
3. Prepare the Insert
Measure your broken rod to determine the insert length you need to cut from your old rod. You’ll most likely need at least six inches of the insert from your broken rod.
Sand down the rod’s damaged sections until they are smooth enough for an accurate measurement. Place the two broken sections together, measuring six inches out on both sides. This will show you how much of an insert you need from the old rod.
Keep in mind that while measuring, if the insert rod is a bit bigger, then the two pieces may not sit flush up against one another.
Use a blank that’s a bit smaller than the area you will insert and put it in. If it moves a bit, then increase the blank size.
4. Epoxy the Pieces Together
Next up is to epoxy the two pieces by coating your insert with epoxy generously. Begin sliding the insert in one section of your broken fishing rod, pushing it in until the insert covers the broken part completely. Afterward, slide the broken rod’s other half over the insert, doing so until it’s flush with your bottom piece.
Clean off any excess epoxy from the outside of your break, then setting up your rod vertically. This ensures that the epoxy can rest correctly. Leave it for two hours or so to dry.
5. Wrap the Area
Using the rod thread, wrap the area as tightly as you can, holding the thread taut the entire time. Wrap about four inches out from the break, doing so on both sides. Take note that you can use any thread size, though I recommend that you use a mid-sized one, so long as you’re able to pull it tightly and properly without it breaking.
6. Apply Flexcoat
Once the fishing rod is wrapped nicely, apply Flexcoat as you turn the rod. You can either use a rotisserie or ask someone to stand and rotate it for you.
Cover the wrapped area completely and continue turning the rod for a few more minutes to prevent any runs. There may be some slight running, which won’t affect the performance but it may not look as smooth as you’d like.
And you’re done!
Replacing Rod Guides
Your guides will help you cast and pull back properly without risking your line breaking or tangling. If your line guide is broken, follow these steps to fix it:
1. Cut Tape or Thread
Use a craft knife or straight razor blade as you cut the thread or tape around your broken guide. If it’s tough to remove it, then heat the area with a lighter for five seconds, which loosens the adhesives. Don’t heat the rod for too long or cut into it with a razor, which can cause damage.
Afterward, peel off the tape then unwind your threading until the broken side comes out.
2. Sand Your Rod
Next is to use a 120 or 220-grit sandpaper, getting rod of leftover adhesives and add tooth to your rod. Rub the rod and foot all around the spot you wish to place your new line guide.
After, use the sandpaper on the foot of your guide, the flat part resting on your rod.
3. Tape New Guides
Press the new guide’s foot to your rod so it will be in line with your other guides. Tear off a thin piece of masking tape, wrapping it around the guide foot to hold it in place so you won’t have to hold it the entire time while wrapping.
4. Wrap the Guide
You can use any thread when wrapping the foot of your guide to the rod. Loop the thread around the rod so it’s half an inch from your guide’s foot and on the side that’s close to your handle.
Maintain the tension on your loop, tightly winding thread around your rod. The thread shouldn’t overlap with the loops made, and it should be flush with one another.
5. Place and Wrap Thread
Once the wrapping is about 1/8 inch from the guide’s circular part, cease winding thread around your pole. Cut about six inches of a new thread, folding it, and forming a loop. Lay this thread on top of the wrapping, so your loop will stick out near the guide.
Once your looped thread is on top of its wrapping, spin the thread around the guide’s foot. Continue wrapping this around the guide until the middle of your looped piece is held on the rod.
6. Feed the Thread
Once you have reached the end of the wrapping, cut the thread used to wrap and pill the loop’s middle. Then, pull the looped piece down and away from your guide, pulling your thread under the wrapping. That way, your wrapping is secured to your rod and you won’t have to tie your knot.
7. Paint Epoxy
And finally, paint 2-parts of epoxy into your thread, letting it dry. Paint just one thin layer of epoxy over the threading until it will harden and stay in place. Allow it to dry overnight and you can use it afterward!
Change Rod Tips
Is the rod tip broken? Change it by following these steps:
1. Loosen Adhesive
Set your rod horizontal to you to reach the tip easily, then use a lighter, placing it under the rod’s tip-top to loosen the adhesive. The tip is the ringed piece at the rod’s end and if it snapped off the rod, remove the old tip-top from your broken piece, or simply skip the step.
Heat it for five seconds at a time and once it’s heated, pull off the tip using a pair of pliers. If it feels difficult to slide off, heat it for another few seconds.
2. Smooth the Rod Tip
Use sandpaper to remove any shards and smoothen the tip of your rod. Rub the exposed tip using 1200 or 220-grit sandpaper. Rotate your rod around your sandpaper, doing so until its tip is flush and smooth.
If there are any abrasion marks on the rod tip, don’t worry, as it has better adhesion with the new tip top.
3. Cut Rod Cement
Rod cement is a type of adhesive, which comes in a solid block. These are used for fishing rods, holding the guides and tips into place.
Cut the pieces of rod cement in small strips using a craft knife or razor. It should be enough to fit the inside of your rod tip top’s hollow chamber.
4. Melt Rod Cement
Hold your new tip-top using a pair of pliers, then place pieces of rod cement inside the hollow tube at its end. Use a lighter and heat the rod cement for five seconds, melting it to attach the tip-top to the rod. When the rod has melted, make sure to work fast so it won’t solidify.
5. Slide the Tip In
While the rod cement is still hot, begin sliding the tip-top to the tip of the rod, rotating it so its ring is in line with your other guides. If you have to reposition or adjust your tip-top after the cement dried, heat it for another five seconds with a lighter.
Wipe away excess rod cement using a paper towel, then let the whole rod set for about two hours. Once the cement has dried, you can now use the rod!
Damaged Cork Handles
Cork handles on fishing poles aren’t only for show, but functional to improve your grip. Unfortunately, gouges can begin appearing because of its abuse avians rocks and hooks.
Fortunately, this is the easiest and cheapest to fix. All you need is a carpenter-grade wood filler and fine-grit sandpaper. Follow these steps:
- Clean the handle using warm and soapy water, allowing it to dry completely.
- Apply the wood filler using a small spatula where you see the gouges.
- Allow it to dry for a few hours, then sand the handle until it has an even finish.
- Apply cork seal or similar finishes for better and longer-lasting protection.
Another way you can repair the cork handle is by using hot glue. Follow these steps:
- Sand down the cork handle until it’s smooth, drilling holes in each section.
- Use a small wooden dowel, inserting it to the cork.
- Coat the dowel using hot glue, inserting it to the blank side of your handle.
- Now, take your new section, sliding it to the dowel. Leave around eight of an inch open, then coat your opening using glue. Push the pieces together to seal it well.
- Wipe off leftover glue, then allow it to sit for a few hours until you can move it.
- Sand off excess rough patches when it dries.
Other Damages
Some fishing rod damages may be beyond hope or can’t be repaired on your own. You might need to contact a professional for repairs, or the manufacturer if you still have a warranty for it.
Manufacturers can send replacement parts and components as needed, or be the ones to repair or replace the rods themselves. It may be cheaper compared to purchasing a whole new rod, but if the repairs and parts are more expensive, then it’s best to just invest in a new one.
Fishing rods that have been completely snapped in the middle, or one-piece fishing rods snapped are least likely to be repaired or will cost a lot.
Do you want to learn more about fixing a broken fishing rod? Then this helpful video can show you visuals for better understanding:
Wrapping It Up
There will be times when you mishandle a fishing rod, whether banging it against something or having it snap while fighting for the big one. Fortunately, it IS repairable and with the right methods and materials, you can do it by yourself. However, you need to know your limits and see if you will need a professional for repairs, or if it needs to be thrown away.
I hope that this article on how to fix a broken fishing rod helped you out. So if you have a broken fishing rod, salvage it so you can use it for your next fishing trips.