What to watch for

[ardinn]

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!

[guts]

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

[ardinn]

Ha - i know - bad week!!

[highwatermark]

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

[Bob]

Could it be the way you cast the rod?

[ardinn]

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!

[Bob]

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.

[ardinn]

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.

[ardinn]

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

[john86]

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

[mickser]

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

[Eoghan]

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

[ardinn]

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.