Tackle Tip: Fix a Busted Rod Guide on the Water in Minutes

If the bite is hot, the last thing you want to do is quit because of a gear malfunction. One common problem is a dislodged ceramic ring in the rod guide. You can’t continue fishing until it’s fixed, as the ring keeps the guide from fraying the fishing line. But if you carry a small dispenser of waxed dental floss—which holds knots better than unwaxed floss—in your tackle box, you can fix the damage in minutes.

Cut the fishing line above the lure and carefully pull it out of the damaged guide. Now, make 10 to 15 wraps around the ring and guide with the floss. Secure with a knot. The repair will last for at least a week, and it’s saved many a trip for me over the years.