Every angler has broken a few fishing rods. There are many reasons why fishing rods get broken. Most anglers may prefer a story about a monster fish breaking their gear. Sadly, rods get broken for other reasons.
Cheap design and construction to begin with
Over abuse/use We have thrown a rod or two after losing a big fish or our favorite lure.
Crunched in a window or door.
Not using a storage case
Exposure to the sun, and elements, where the rod begins to degrade and become brittle
Hitting trees or rocks, on the cast or drop
Never start off a new angler with the very best fishing rods. My Grandpa made me use a steel rod with a bait caster reel. This rod was so tough that you could drive a truck over it without damage. The guides were also made of metal with an agate ring inside. What the fishing rod gained in strength was lost with sensitivity, weight, and action.
Modern fishing rods have become lighter and more sensitive but in doing so, they lose strength and are easily damaged. Expensive fly rods often come with a spare tip section for a reason
Long fly rods, are made from graphite or boron, have great sensitivity, action, and are lightweight but are also brittle, If the blank becomes scratched, it will fail.
There are rods available that offer strength and sensitivity.
Remember that the blank is just one part of the rod. Strength and durability must also happen with the guides, ferrules, handles, and reel seats. The entire rod must be tough and sensitive.
My Grandson is learning to become a great angler. Currently, at age 7 he can do everything but cast well. He can manage setting the hook, baiting, tying knots, fighting big fish and netting. His casting skills are lacking. When he casts, the rod has left his grip, tips have hit rocks, trees, and other anglers. He knows that he is a lousy caster and gets frustrated easily. We are working on this.
Anyway, he has not broken any rods yet. Thats because his casting rod is an Ugly Stick. This tough and durable rod has a classic clear tip section, which is hard to break. The entire rod is tough, durable, and well made. The Ugly Stick that he uses was found in a river. It was there for a long time since the reel was ruined from being underwater. I cleaned off the rod and added a kid friendly reel for my grandson to use. I recently bought a new Ugly Stick GX2. This rod is bullet proof. The handle, guides, and reel seat were designed by people that fish hard.
Other durable rods to consider are the St Croix Triumph series and the Abu Garcia Vengeance line. These rods are built from strong 24-ton modulus graphite. Their other components are also excellent.
No matter how tough your gear is, it can and will break. Keep in mind that graphite rods are also lightning rods. 90-degree bends will snap any rod. Rocks, car doors and trunks eat rods easily. Age and weathering will take their toll. Always transport the rods in a case. Even a soft case is helpful to reduce vibrations that can cause rod fibers to separate and fail.
Be both tough and sensitive!
Montana Grant
