I have a vintage daiwa 5.5 foot light action rod (pistle grip), I put braided line in it and it ruind the guides (Parts to fix that are on their way) that’s not the question. It’s a vintage rod, I use it for fishing bass in light to moderate cover, I use it a lot (4 to 5 times a week about 25 hours a week of actual fishing). I’ve noticed that the tip is starting to bend permanently? Does it have one foot in the grave? Is there any hope in restoring its shape? It was my grandfathers and I don’t want to break it. My grandfather never actually used it I found it in storage in the original package. Retiring it to bobber fishing is not realistic do to the fact I can’t stand bobber fishing, due to the fact I don’t drink.
There are a couple of things that can cause the bend you are describing. One could be just the storage of the rod leaning against the wall, but with the amount of use it gets I don’t think this is the problem. You can try hanging the rod from the tip and see if it will help. I do recommend storing all rods in the vertical position to prevent them from taking a permanent set.
Older rods, especially fiberglass and even early graphite rods will get softer with age due to the individual fibers breaking down and the resin that binds them together deteriorating. Can’t avoid this, and the use it gets speeds up the process. Look at the rod carefully in the area of the bend a see if there is a spiral line running up the rod. This would show a de-lamination. The layers of fabric that make up the rod blank are separating. Also look for a discoloration or light colored area in that area, almost like a bruise. This shows an area where the fibers are breaking down. Either situation will cause a permanent bend and will cause a total failure at some point.
Damaged rod blanks can’t and should not be repaired. I know there are some shops that will do it but they are not doing you any favors. If you brought the rod to me for repair I would check for this first, even before replacing the guides, which is no problem. If the rod has any sentimental value I would recommend an early retirement and a nice spot on the wall.
Well not drinking is a good thing, you have a lot more money for fishing!
Find someone to replace the guide. My husband and I do our own rod repair but it is a job that requires patience and the right equipment (easily obtainable). Rod wrapping instructions are available on the internet but the most important thing is using the proper cement and the correct type of guide. Do not use braid on Stainless steel guides. If you insist on continuing with braid on this rod then change out all the guides. Eventually they will all wear through. Braid is VERY abrasive. It also cuts you very easily. I would suggest going to a ceramic guide is your going to use braid in the future, the issue with these guides is you can break them if they hit something hard enough.
Cabelas.com has a great selection at a good price (check the bargain bin!) Good Luck
This is just one video, there are lots more online
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lURoAgAF0HQ
BTW have you ever tried bobber fishing in rivers? It is one way to catch Steelhead here in the NorthWest
References :
self
if your rod is starting to get a permanent bend in it, i am sorry to say that maybe you should retire the rod to the mantle for good. i work for g-loomis and lamiglas in the past and saw alot of items trying to be fixed that were a lost cause. during the process of making the blanks they check all sorts of factors, the main ones are flexabilty, straightness, and of coarse defects. if a rod is not true and straight then it gets cut and crushed. i sugest you return the new guides or keep then on hand for future repairs to a new rod. I know that even though your grandpa may never have used it, that it still holds sentimental value and using it until it broke would be a majior shame. make a frame and hang some pics of the fish you caught with it and give it to your gramps (if still around) and then you can share some fishing stories with him from time to time or just hang it on the wall as a conversation piece for friends and family, also most vintage rods were not made from the same materials as the ones today. loomis and lamiglas both make the same exact rod blanks the only difference is how the orders are filled and the batch baking time, most are either fiberglass, graphite, or composite(mixed fiberglass/graphite. I also live in fish the north west(SW WASHINGTON) and you dont have to drink to bobber fish, as long as the fish are there you wont have time to drink. also we fly fish up here on the kalama river and a lot of lakes
hope this helps
References :
personal knowledge and work experience
There are a couple of things that can cause the bend you are describing. One could be just the storage of the rod leaning against the wall, but with the amount of use it gets I don’t think this is the problem. You can try hanging the rod from the tip and see if it will help. I do recommend storing all rods in the vertical position to prevent them from taking a permanent set.
Older rods, especially fiberglass and even early graphite rods will get softer with age due to the individual fibers breaking down and the resin that binds them together deteriorating. Can’t avoid this, and the use it gets speeds up the process. Look at the rod carefully in the area of the bend a see if there is a spiral line running up the rod. This would show a de-lamination. The layers of fabric that make up the rod blank are separating. Also look for a discoloration or light colored area in that area, almost like a bruise. This shows an area where the fibers are breaking down. Either situation will cause a permanent bend and will cause a total failure at some point.
Damaged rod blanks can’t and should not be repaired. I know there are some shops that will do it but they are not doing you any favors. If you brought the rod to me for repair I would check for this first, even before replacing the guides, which is no problem. If the rod has any sentimental value I would recommend an early retirement and a nice spot on the wall.
References :
20+ years building and repairing rods