What to watch for

So I bought a 15ft grauvel rod off a fella yesterday - checked the rings and the joints and although worn nothing off was noticable to me anyway.

So I head down the sand, 3 hook flapper on a 3oz lead - cast it off and it breaks about 18 inches from the top.

Its rated to 8oz - so it wasnt as if I put it under any pressure!

Im wondering what little things I should look out for in future - I didnt notice any cracks, but thats not to say there wasnt any - anybody have any tips for inspecting rods or am i just fairly blind!

join a club or find some one who gos fishen alot your get robbed lefft right and center

Ha - i know - bad week!!

Put a bend in it ( a good one too) before parting with your cash. If there's a hairline crack it'll more than likely go then. BTW, get the seller to do the bending....it's his rod

Could it be the way you cast the rod?

Could it be the way you cast the rod?

Well maybe - but im using 2/3 rods for over a yr now and they aree in perfect condition so probably not!

Are your other rods long continental style rods? The reason I ask is that you may have overloaded the new rod causing the break.

What kind of break is it btw? A pic or two may help diagnose between flaw/damage/stress etc.

Ill take a pic and post them up - no my other rods are 12's - I wanted to try a bigger rod so had a go at this.

Cleanest image I could get with my phone - Its pretty much a straight break with no splintering.

If it broke with a 3oz weight on the first cast that is really bad luck.

Buying second from any fellow is not a way to buy a rod .Buy from a reputable angling shop at least you will have some sort of guarantee on it

I smell a rat here to be honest. I would be knocking on his door.

I smell a rat here to be honest. I would be knocking on his door.

Yeah I think I got stiffed - but I didnt lose a serious wad - just enough to make myself vigilant in future

Buying second from any fellow is not a way to buy a rod .Buy from a reputable angling shop at least you will have some sort of guarantee on it

To be fair Mickser I take your point but buying new, quality gear (obviously not much quality in this case) isnt something I can readily do. I dont have €200 to spend on a new rod. I also take the point The money I paid for it is now lost but 90% of sellers I believe are genuine and there shouldnt be an issue. Im sure nearly everyone here has upgraded rods by buying 2nd hand at some point.