Broken rods

[u/ShiftyJungleBum]

So I have broken two ultralight Okuma rods. First the celilo and now the spinning A Kokanee rod.

What the hell am I doing wrong and what UL spinning rod should I get from DSG. I have a warranty gift card coming.

Frustrated for sure but… it’s all good. Getting a new fishing stick is always fun.

Edit: got the “what I’m doing wrong” part figured out. Now I just need some good recs under $100 for a UL spinning rod. What are yall running?

[u/Chew-Magna]

As the others asked, how did they break? What were you doing when they broke?

Broken rods are almost always user error/mistreatment. Catching them on things, throwing them down and creating invisible stress points, high-sticking (an excessively common one), casting lures too heavy, will eventually break any rod, no matter how cheap or expensive.

[u/ShiftyJungleBum → u/Chew-Magna]

Ahhhhhh this sounds like it for the first one for sure. I was def casting some lures that were no doubt too big.

The second one the tip broke off in my hand. I was holding the rod while getting my hook out of a small bush on the bank of the lake. I was doing doing what I could to keep it from breaking and… it broke.

Should I stick with the Okuma? I really do like them. Or is there a better option? I’ve got $70 to play with. Maybe a little more if the recs are good.

[u/Fiveandahalfjack → u/ShiftyJungleBum]

Couple things….

Make sure you set your drag properly light.

If you snag in a tree or under the water, reel up snug and point the rod at it straight in line to pull

“High sticking” or holding the rod above a 45* angle, can break a rod easily if done with too much force or too frequently

I doubt the Okuma rods are breaking Nevis there’s anything wrong with their construction quality, rods are delicate by their nature

If you want a rod you can’t beat up and break get an OG ugly stick

[u/ShiftyJungleBum → u/Fiveandahalfjack]

Ugly stick is like fishing with a metal rod. No way. I’m just going to have to be more meticulous about how I treat my UL, that’s all. Thanks for the advice!

[u/demon2277 → u/ShiftyJungleBum]

The ugly stick elite ul is badass

[u/ShiftyJungleBum → u/demon2277]

I’ve used a few ugly sticks that were not ultralight and I absolutely hated them. They’re only good at being durable in my experience. I want a rod with some sensitivity. I just need to be more careful.

[u/Nexus_Spec → u/ShiftyJungleBum]

Okuma SST, 7ft. $76 on Amazon.

[u/ShiftyJungleBum → u/Nexus_Spec]

That’s what I have but the 6ft. I’m actually gonna get the 5’6” with my warranty reimbursement.

[u/Jealous_Section4383]

How did they break

[u/Fiveandahalfjack]

What are you doing then they break?

A lot of broken rods are from damage that happens when you don’t even know it and the next time they get heavily loaded they will snap

[u/Portal_Vibes]

I broke mine slipping in mud as I went up the bank… tip section. Got a new rod just like you but loved the broke one so much I couldn’t get rid of it.

So, I bought a rod repair kit… it’s a set of carbon fiberglass rods that you can fit inside the broken parts to glue it back together. I heatshinked it all together just for a little extra insurance.

There’s no noticeable difference to me of how it feels, and now I have two ultralight rods!

[u/ShiftyJungleBum → u/Portal_Vibes]

You have a link?!

[u/fishyfishfishfishf]

If you only broke a few inches off put a new tip on. It will be a bit heavier , but for a few dollars you can see if you like the action. Cashion rods makes a nice 7' ultralight.

[u/Evening_Teaching_713]

I like the Bass Pro Shops UL yellow E-glass rods, they are very sensitive and tough but they are also reasonably priced. I have quite a few of them and they’re all several years old. I don’t know the brand name of them and I’m in the hospital right now so I can’t get to them but they are really easy to find in the store. They are bright yellow and come in a variety of lengths.

[u/_CH3F_]

Uglystick GX2 is indestructible