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By George J. Roth
How many times have those words been uttered from the deck of your boat? There are few things that can happen on the water that can be more frustrating than breaking a guide or tip top on your favorite rod. When fishing a tournament, this scenario can spell disaster when a certain technique is proving productive.
Accidents happen. It could be stepping on a rod in an inattentive moment while maneuvering for a better casting angle. It could be that your Co-Angler was stowing his tackle and inadvertently shut the storage lid on the tip of the rod, breaking it off. Truck and camper doors also cause their fair share of rod fatalities. Perhaps the locking ring broke on the reel seat and the reel can no longer be secured tightly to the rod. You are going to have challenges out on the water and being prepared will determine how well you are able to deal with those challenges.
I post on various bass fishing websites as a custom rod builder and I’m often asked how to perform various rod repairs. As an example, how to replace a tip top is one of the most common questions that I am asked. Knowing how to make this repair can get you back on the water in just a matter of minutes. After a period of time, I decided that the tournament angler could benefit from a rod repair kit, designed to provide the necessary components and tools to make the needed repairs. It would eliminate the need to find a sporting goods store at night and "hope" that they had the components in stock to repair your rod. Providing a kit would also require step by step instruction on how to complete those repairs.
Tournament anglers are often fishing far from home, so having a repair kit is very important. In the past, I’ve had experiences where I wish that I had the ability to make “on the water” repairs and then continue to fish with a particular outfit. One such instance was when I was fishing the FLW Western Series tournament at the Columbia River, Washington. I broke about 4 inches from the top of my favorite rod. If I'd had that kit, I could have continued to use that rod, even though the action would have been a bit stiffer. That was the inspiration I needed to assemble a rod repair kit that was simple, contained the quality components that you are most likely to require, was easily stored and reasonably priced.
This a picture of George's Rod Repair Kit. The contents are designed to make your rod repair quick and easy.
One of the most common incidents involves losing the ceramic insert from the tip top. It can also be chipped, causing the line to fray and become weakened. It would then seem logical that attempting to dislodge a crank-bait with the rod tip while fishing rip rap, isn’t such a great idea.
When it is necessary to change out the tip top, it will be necessary to have a number of tip tops with various tube sizes. The inside diameter of the tip top is measured in 64th’s, i.e. 5.0/64th’s or 6.5/64th’s. The rod arsenal that many bass anglers employ today will encompass everything from light drop shot blanks to heavy flipping / mat blanks. The tip size of the blanks will vary considerably. Thus, it is advantageous to carry a broad selection of tip tops in the boat. In the event that the blank is broken at the tip, the old tip top may be removed and reapplied if the blank has very little taper. However, in most instances, you will need to apply a larger sized tip top than what you removed.
Another common malady is the loss of the ceramic insert or breaking a guide frame. More often than we’d like to admit, this can happen while we are removing the rod from the locker, or in the process of stowing it away. The rod locker can cause harm to a rod in various ways, so when that lid is open, always safe guard your rods the best you can. As in medicine, the best treatment is prevention.
Having a selection of casting and spinning guides is important as bass angling dictates that we typically use both styles of rods, depending on the technique that we are using to target the fish. A casting rod will generally incorporate both double-foot and single-foot guides. Many of the quality manufactured rods utilize the Fuji New Concept guides which are constructed with a thinner frame, resulting in a lighter guide. The majority of spinning rods now use the single-foot guides to allow more flex along the blank and as a way to reduce the overall rod weight. Again, the Fuji New Concept guides are often used in their construction. Thus, we see the need to have a variety of guide types that could be inadvertently damaged in a multitude of ways.
In assembling my rod repair kit, I not only selected the quality guides I thought that anglers would require, but also included most of the tools that they would need to make those repairs. The tip top can be repaired on the water using a lighter and the thermal glue stick. A damaged guide can be removed and a replaced temporarily with the use of the silicone tape. The tape can also be used to hold the reel securely into position. The kit insert contains instructions on how to utilize a cardboard box as a rod holder, as you make your repairs. Pictures of the critical steps in the replacement of the tip top are also included.
Once you return to your camper or motel room, the components are available to make a more permanent repair. The Gudebrod thread finish provided with the kit dries in about 10-15 minutes. This eliminates the need to rotate the blank frequently to prevent sags in the finish. Multiple coats of this finish can be applied while performing other tackle chores as you prepare for the following day’s competition.
The great benefit of repairing that particular rod is that you can continue to use the same equipment and don’t have to adapt to a new set up for a given technique. If you are thinking that you don’t have the skills to perform this level of repair, think again. I have created a companion DVD that shows you step-by-step, how to repair your rods, both on the water or at home, by using the components contained in the rod repair kit. It instructs you on annual maintenance, how to replace the tip top, guides, and repair handles or even broken blanks. The DVD is divided into chapters so you can go to the instructional area that you need to review. I have even included actual on the water scenarios demonstrating the way many rods are broken…complete with some odd, Idaho humor.
As mentioned above, an overview of the important topics, along with some pictures, is included on a pamphlet contained with the rod kit, to act as a guide. This is particularly helpful when you don’t have access to a DVD player. A list of components is contained in the kit, on the back of the pamphlet, to help you in reordering the correct components as you use them. That will insure that your kit is always stocked and ready for the next “mishap”.
The next time you are fishing the tournament of a lifetime; don’t find yourself in a situation where your opportunity to win is compromised because of equipment failure. Don’t leave the outcome of that experience to chance. Eliminate the variables possible by being prepared with a rod repair kit. Keep one on your boat or behind the seat of your pick-up, just as you would a personal First Aid kit. As Professional Angler Jason Hickey states, “Don’t leave home without it”!
Note: Since the production of my DVD, Andy Dear of Lamar Fishing Products, has introduced some new products into the rod building world. He has created a two-part polymer thread finish that is incredibly clear and non-yellowing. It comes in a light and a high-build formula. He has also created a two-part epoxy adhesive. These are available in a 5-minute, 15-minute and a 60-minute working time formula. These have to be some of the best products that I have used. If you are making permanent repairs to your rod or pursuing the hobby of rod building, I'd encouraged you to give these excellent products a try. You won't be disappointed. You can find more specific product information on his website: www.lamarfishing.com The products are available through most of the rod building component suppliers.
For the purpose of a "temporary repair" when you are away from home, I still recommend the Gudebrod finish at this time because of the ease of application and fast drying time.
GR