I have a repair to do on an older 8' St. Croix IM7 that is rated for 1/2 to 1 1/2 oz and 10 - 20 pound. It is broken about 6" above the grip. It is a clean break and fits together perfectly. I have a perfect piece to use for a plug extending about 1 1/2 - 2" into each side. The problem is that I have nothing that is even close to fitting for an oversleeve. Since this is a nice tight fit and the 2 broken pieces mate perfectly, can I get away with Rod Bonding it up and tight wrap of D thread???? I have done this in the past (before I new better) with smaller rods with out any problem but am probably playing with fire!!



Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

If the inner plug is at least as strong as the area surrounding the break - if it is of the same type fiber and has thicker walls (it'll have to have thicker walls to be as strong since the diameter is less) then you might get away with it. Frankly if I were doing it I'd use a piece of fiberglass in there probably.


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Mike,
I had a seven foot all star that a guy wanted me to fix that was broken about the way your's is. I did exactly like you said and told him I didn't Know..........anyway he call yesterday and said he landed two big reds with with it if that means anything.

Big John
Rio Hondo, Texas
Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting

what you are doing is very much the same as a spigot ferrule on a fly rod. if you have enough material put another plug inside the main one and glue that up first. then use that reinforced plug as your repair plug. do a good wrap the length of the repair. it should hold up. ideally you would want an oversleave and plug. you know, belt and suspenders but i think the reinforced plug should work.

Thanks, guys! Tom, the plug is graphite but is thicker walled than the rod. Larry, I like yout idea!!! Will try it! Trolling rod so weight isn't an issue.

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Mike,
I've made guite a few repairs like this. Back when I started to build rods we made all our 2 sectioned rods using solid glass spigot ferrules. If you can find some of the old junk solid fiberglass rods, keep them for making this repair. fit one end and sand the other to get a good fit and glue everything up. I usually put a good butt wrap over it also. I fixed a catfish rod like this about 5 years ago and the customer is still fishing with it.