Rods With Broken Off Tips: Still Useable? 2025
Blackbird86 reply :
Ive got a couple shakespeare ugly stiks...the ones with the clear fiberglass tips. The tips broke off years ago and are now lost. Was wondering...could i just cut the pole down so the second eyelet was at the tip functioning as the last eyelet? Would that work?
CDobber reply :
Sure, or you can go buy a kit for about $4 that has extra tips and glue to fix it.....I did that to a pole a couple years ago that broke off while beating brush to get to a shore spot....lost about 3" on it but still works fine. Pole wasn't old and probably could have done a warranty exchange, but would feel guilty knowing it wasn't workmanship defect but my own fault.
Something like this: http://www.***.com/Berkley_Rod_Tip_Repair_Kit/descpage-BDRDK.html
(the stars were from TW....forgot it blocks out site names on occasion)
WRB reply :
The old rods need to be thrown away, you are wasting time and money trying to fish with them.
Tom
Dave Jakes reply :
It's certainly going to change the specs of the rod. A large portion of the action of the rod comes from the way the tip responds to all the variables that are put on it. If it was a relatively light power with moderate action, it will probably feel more like a heavier rod with a faster action. Obviously as you lose length you'll lose casting distance. However, to say that you're wasting your time and money still using it is ridiculous. If you're not REALLY into the sport, it won't make much difference, and if you're using Ugly Sticks, you're probably not REALLY into the sport, enough where it's going make a difference anyway. After all, 100 years ago people caught fish by tying string onto the end of a stick!
In my opinion, you'll be fine still using the rod. Personally I'd probably go get another one, but in your situation I'd guess you're not going to catch any less fish because of it, so no big deal.
K_Mac reply :
I agree with WRB, although they might make good tomato stakes.
The rods will have a bit slower action since more of the rod will be used when pressure is applied.
Kentuckysteve reply :
They can be fixed.If you just want the rods to work then buy you some tips and fix them.Its never going to be a great rod and never really was but it will still fish.I definitely would not cut it down to the second eye.
Scott F reply :
I've got a rod with an inch or two broken off the tip and I can't tell the difference. It's an easy and cheap fix.
Goose52 reply :
I also fish a rod that lost about 2" after a break. I was even able to use the original tip-top to repair it. Not much difference in action between a 7'6" MH-Mod and a 7'4".
I also still have a BPS Extreme BC rod that was originally 7'. It broke about 6" down from the tip...and just above the first guide. There wasn't enough rod blank past the guide to install another tip-top. The first guide was a single-foot guide so I trimmed the blank back to that guide. Fished it for a couple months while I was waiting to decide on it's replacement. I caught 49 fish with the rod in that configuration, including a 35-pound class grass carp. BUT, in this case, 6" was too much. The rod went from being a fast action...to an extra, extra-fast action. I keep it around for those times when I need an extra rod, but it's not much fun to fish in this configuration... 
WRB reply :
The old Ugly sticks with the clear upper top section was about 8'" long, the rod is already broken off more than 8". The rod needs to be cut off cleanly, no broken fiber. The guide next to the new tip removed, then a new rod tip that fits whatever diameter the rod is where it's cut off can be installed. We you get done you have a rod that doesn't bend like it should and can't cast very well. You need a new rod tip guide and whatever used to cement on aligned correctly, cost about $5. Your old rod wasn't worth much and provided some fishing time, a new rod can be found on sale for under $20.
Tom
Fishing Rhino reply :
It's a shame to just toss it away. If you don't want to use it, put a tip on it and give it to a kid, or even an adult, who can use it for pan fish, or maybe even a bass or two. It's certainly a lot better than nothing for someone who cannot afford a "quality" rod.
It's a lot better than the bamboo and kite string rig that I started fishing with, and that I had a lot of fun catching perch, sunfish, and the very occasional pickerel. Bass? I didn't even know what they were back then.
They hadn't been created yet.
K_Mac reply :
I am not opposed to repairing a broken tip. I have a couple that I use regularly. Repairing a heavy, dead old rod makes no sense to me. For a couple of bucks a replacement rod of higher quality can be purchased. Giving that rod to anyone would not be doing them any favors. I am all for giving kids equipment and tackle, but I would not give them junk.
Fishing Rhino reply :
On 9/10/2015 at 8:24 AM, K_Mac said:I am not opposed to repairing a broken tip. I have a couple that I use regularly. Repairing a heavy, dead old rod makes no sense to me. For a couple of bucks a replacement rod of higher quality can be purchased. Giving that rod to anyone would not be doing them any favors. I am all for giving kids equipment and tackle, but I would not give them junk.
One man's "junk" is another man's treasure.
GodfatherOfSeoul reply :
I catfish with my old broken tipless rods. Pan fish is good too. Its an ugly stick, you can def find some use for it after shaving it down or replacing the tip. When I first started bass fishing, i caught most of my fish on old, cheap and broken rods instead of my st croix.
Today, I keep a couple cheaper rods for when a kid or novice wants to learn but if I break a tip, I usually just sell them on craigslist and let them know its broken. Usually my combos are like 1 for 15 2 for 25 and 3 for 30. Someone always comes get all of them
bigbill reply :
Put a new tip on it like it is.
The last rod tip I cut off was sticking out my side window. I had my new $300 fly rod I got on clearance for $125 with reel, line, leader ready to go. Kittery Trading Post hooked me up. I had the new fly rod setup out for its first try. I murdered the panfish. I loaded it in the car in the dark.
When I heard the crunch I knew what it was. I put a new tip on it and a tiny spinning reel for crappies.
S. Sass reply :
On 9/10/2015 at 6:30 AM, Blackbird86 said:Ive got a couple shakespeare ugly stiks...the ones with the clear fiberglass tips. The tips broke off years ago and are now lost. Was wondering...could i just cut the pole down so the second eyelet was at the tip functioning as the last eyelet? Would that work?
I would leave as much length as possible. Get the replacement tip like already mentioned for under $5 and follow the simple instructions that come with it. For someone with no rod that would be a great thing to have. Its sure not going to hurt them to have lesser equipment when they never had better.
jbw252 reply :
On 9/10/2015 at 8:07 AM, Fishing Rhino said:It's a shame to just toss it away. If you don't want to use it, put a tip on it and give it to a kid, or even an adult, who can use it for pan fish, or maybe even a bass or two. It's certainly a lot better than nothing for someone who cannot afford a "quality" rod.
X2...My feelings exactly.
Blackbird86 reply :
Thanks for the informed replies. Ill probably get that berkley kit and fix em.
Ive got a buddy just starting to get into fishing so ill prob let him use em
senile1 reply :
It depends on the rod. A medium or light rod with a parabolic bend isn't affected much by losing a couple of inches and replacing the tip. My shallow crankbait rod is like this and it works fine. However, if I lose a couple of inches on a jig or worming rod that is a different matter. I would replace those rods, but that is just my take.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
The useability of a rod with the tip shortened depends on the original power and action and what you'll be able to do with it. Shortening any rod tip will increase the lure weight rating and slow the action. From the description of the rod and the break, this one won't likely be very pleasurable to fish except for maybe vertically with a heavy jig or spoon maybe. A builder can use the parts for repairs if you know anyone. A running guide can work on the tip. I use them on float rods for ythe added height and used them frequently before Micro Tops were readily available.
the reel ess reply :
I just yard sold 2 25 year old 5'6" BC rods, both of which I'd fixed the tips on and they stayed fixed. I also have a 9' (now 8') crappie rod that the tip broke on. I filed it down just beyond the next guide. It works fine and has a little different function now.
hatrix reply :
Really it's only a couple bucks to get tips and glue so why not. My step father has a old ugly stick that would probably benefit from cutting the tip off. I want to say it's like a 7'6" or even 8' and that thing would flop around in the wind it's so flimsy. I am actually going to replace a tip today since I can home yesterday and someone decided to put my ultralight rod wedged under the shelf in the closet. I am not really having high hopes for that one. I really like that rod too. 
Fisher-O-men reply :
Cangrats, fix the tip and you have a new catfish rod!
WPCfishing reply :
I have a Falcon spinning rod that was 7'6" 1/4-3/4.
I bought it for surf casting. It was really whippy so
I cut it down to 6' 10" and put a new tip on it. Cast great now,
has a lot more and quicker hook setting power and back bone.
For six bucks it's probably worth putting a new tip on it
and trying it out if you can live with the weight. That's a
heavy rod.
Josh Smith reply :
Used to be folks would cut down rods to make them stiffer. They became jerkbait rods.
Josh
Jrob78 reply :
I broke about 4" off of a standard MHF bass casting rod, it was virtually unusable after the break. It was just too heavy and too fast.
poisonokie reply :
pssh... Just buy a steez.
WRB reply :
Fixing a rod you wouldn't use and passing down to a new angler so they can't use it effectively is like tossing a brick to a drowning person. What kind of logic is that? Fixing a rod that is functional is different than fixing a cheap rod and giving it away.
Tom
hatrix reply :
On 9/11/2015 at 12:25 PM, WRB said:Fixing a rod you wouldn't use and passing down to a new angler so they can't use it effectively is like tossing a brick to a drowning person. What kind of logic is that? Fixing a rod that is functional is different than fixing a cheap rod and giving it away.
Tom
Something is better then nothing. If it were me chances are I wouldn't be using it cause I have a bunch more rods. Someone I was giving it to probably does not. That was the whole reason for giving it to them to begin with.
Fishing Rhino reply :
When I have something I don't use, I don't throw it in the trash. I give it to someone who will use it.
My first real spinning rod was a Shakespeare, two piece Wonder Rod. My mother got it for me with S&H green stamps. I caught largemouth, smallmouth, striped bass up to 15 pounds, and Bluefish for a while until I could buy a suitable rod for salt water. When the pieces got difficult to separate, I'd rub the male connection in the area of my nose where the nostril flares out. Just enough oil to make for easy assembly and disassembly, but not so much that I had to keep pushing the two pieces back together.
I still have the rod today. The eyes are secured with electrical tape, but prior to that, I literally used bandaids to keep the eyes in place, as well as medical adhesive tape. Whatever I had at hand that would do the job.
I tried fishing with it a couple of years ago, just for the fun of it. I don't know how I caught a thing with it. It is so limber, I couldn't feel a thing, not even the rat-a-tat strikes of yellow perch or sunfish. What a piece of junk, literally.
But, when I first got it, it was the greatest rod in the world, and it served me well for several years. And it came with a Pflueger Freespeed spinning reel, which at that time were affectionately known as coffee grinders.
If I hadn't gotten that rod, who knows if I'd be fishing today.
joeparishfishing reply :
I have had rods with broken tips and tried to replace them. Didnt work very well. But I have a few rods i use that have missing eyes. I fish with what I have. I dont have money to go out and buy rods when one breaks. I have to put gas in the boat and truck and buy tackle and line. If I have some extra money i can always use another rod and reel. But some of us cant get them when we want. The rod might do exactly what its supposed to do but you can still catch fish with it.
hatrix reply :
You can probably fix the broken eye. If you can somehow loosen up the wrap around the eye you can slide it out maybe. If you have another eye or can take one off another rod just slide it back on the wrap and throw some superglue on it and you should be fine.
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