Fiberglass Spinning Rod Repair

Question
Hi Joe,

My wife got a fiberglass spinning rod from her grandfather many years ago.  The rod was in the trunk of my car and I was putting something into the trunk that ended up slipping and crushing part of the rod (a thicker part closer to the reel).  It's not crushed all the way through, but is soft and makes a crunching sound when I depress the area that was crushed.  Is there anything I can do to reinforce the rod in this area to keep it from breaking anymore?  We usually fish for panfish and bass, but we've never encountered any huge fish that I would think would break the pole.

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Tom,

Yes, it can be repaired.  If you know a local rod builder, take it there and have it done.  The rod builder will make the repair look as natural as possible and blend it into the rod.  It is not usually a real expensive repair job.

If you want to try it yourself, here is quick repair that will work but may not look as pretty.  This will work because the rod is crushed close to the reel seat where there is less flex.  If it were crushed or broken higher up the rod, a different repair technique would be required.  You need an old rod that you can cut up...if you don't have one, try the garage sales.

You will need a piece of another fiberglass rod that matches closely the taper of the crushed rod.  The piece will go inside the broken blank.  Because it goes inside, the piece you want will most likely be cut from higher up on the parts rod (above the handle and reel seat).

The easy way is to cut a section from an unbroken rod that is long enough to extend from the butt end of your rod to a couple of inches past the break when fitted inside the broken rod.  This will essentially reinforce the interior of the broken rod all the way from the butt end to a point beyond the break.  If you can't find a piece that long, you need at least enough to cover the crushed area plus a couple of inches on either side.

If you have a triangle shaped file, an easy way to cut fiberglass is to use an edge of the triangle and basically saw through the blank.  Turn the blank as you saw and you will cut a nice groove all the way around and through the fiberglass.  It takes a little time but does not create splinters or cracks in the glass.

Remove the butt cap and set it aside to replace it later.  Slide the rod section into the broken rod to make sure it goes past the break.  Remove the "repair section" and apply some 5 minute epoxy (any brand...check Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, etc) to the rod section and slide it back inside the broken rod firmly in place.  Let dry 5-10 minutes.  Replace the butt cap using the same kind of epoxy.

Now go to the crushed area and starting about 1/2 inch on one side of the crushed area, wrap thread continously along the blank covering the crushed area and go about 1/2 inch beyond the end of the crushed area.  This wrap should be just like you were wrapping a guide which means the threads need to be laid down right next to each other the entire length.  When you finish it will look like a long continous wrap of whatever color thread you use.  You should use rod wrapping thread, but if you don't have any, use a good nylon sewing thread.  Your purpose here is not to make the rod look beautiful, it is to make a quick repair that lets you use the rod again.

If you don't have a rod wrapper, use a cardboard box.  Cut a "V" notch in each of the ends of an open cardbaord box.  This will support the rod.  Clip off a 4 inch piece of thread and tie it into a loop and set it aside.  Place the spool of thread in a cup and run the thread through the center of your phone book or any other large book.  This will supply the tension and feed the thread without losing the spool as it unwinds.  Start the wrap by crossing the thread over itself to lock it down and spin the rod as you feed the thread laying each revolution right next to the last.  It takes a little practice, but its not hard.  Once you have the wrap started and the starter thread locked down good, trim the tag end off of it and continue wrapping.

When you get close to the end of the wrap, lay the loop of thread on the rod with the open loop toward the end of the wrap and then cover it with revolutions of thread until you reach the end point of your wrap.  Clip the wrapping thread (hold it secure) about 2-3 inches from the rod and stuff the clipped end through the loop.  Pull the loop back through the wrap and this will snug the end of the wrapping thread under the wrap with no knots required.  Cut off the tag end of the thread and you are done.  The wrap should cover the whole area and should be snug.

Test the rod by mounting a reel and casting and applying some pressure by flexing the rod under load.  If it appears that it is going to work, take some of your wife's clear nail polish and coat the thread wrap you did.  Let that dry overnight and it should be good.

Finding a local rod builder is the easy way.  If you decide to try it yourself, send me an email or call me and I'll help you with the steps.  Email is [email protected]

Thanks,  Joe