10' rod breakage

O clarkii lewisi

O clarkii lewisi

Steelhead
Just got a new Echo Lago 10 foot 5 wt rod and am super excited to take it on a lake trip. I have heard that landing fish with a long rod can cause stress at the tip section and can break a rod I am fishing from a pontoon. Is this a real concern or common occurrence or something that I should ignore? Will a long handled net make a difference in the amount that I need stretch and bend the tip? Any other tactics that you use in landing a fish in this situation. I know that there is only so much that I can do and rods will break but am looking for any tactics that might minimize this risk. Thanks in advance for any advice - looking at some of you who I know catch huge fish on long rods!! :cool:
 
O clarkii lewisi said:
Just got a new Echo Lago 10 foot 5 wt rod and am super excited to take it on a lake trip. I have heard that landing fish with a long rod can cause stress at the tip section and can break a rod I am fishing from a pontoon. Is this a real concern or common occurrence or something that I should ignore? Will a long handled net make a difference in the amount that I need stretch and bend the tip? Any other tactics that you use in landing a fish in this situation. I know that there is only so much that I can do and rods will break but am looking for any tactics that might minimize this risk. Thanks in advance for any advice - looking at some of you who I know catch huge fish on long rods!! :cool:
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Don't try to net them until you can get their head up..
 
I have had rods snap when the arc at the top becomes to tight. A long handled net will make life easier for you, especially fishing out of a tube or pontoon boat. Just my .02. Enjoy the new rod.
 
I think you'll be fine. I have a new longer handle net but it's mostly because it's just easier in my larger pontoon that keeps me higher out of the water. My usual method is to get them moving head first toward me and let their momentum carry them over the net.
I think the longer rod has enough advantages in a pontoon that you'll be willing to figure out a way to keep using them.
 
It's quite simple. The more vertical you raise the rod the more the load is concentrated towards the tip, your putting the same stress on the rod, just forcing it up the rod where there is less graphite to hold it.
Best practices is to never raise your rod over 45 degrees under load.. the more you raise the rod above 45 degrees the greater your chances of breaking the rod. The longer the rod the greater the distance
Between the fish and the rod and therefore the greater the angle you have to raise the rod to bring fish to your hand..
Solution? Longer handle net.
 
Rob Allen nailed it. Watching the rod angle is key. I bought an Echo 10’ 3wt for nymphing the local river. Used it several times with no issues but I was wading out in the river and could easily net fish without much rod angle. Made the mistake of taking it to one of my spots that I don’t need waders, just crawl down some rocks to the water. Had a decent size brown on and because I couldn’t bring the fish in as close as if I were standing in the water, lifted the rod up to much and snap. 40 bucks later I’m back in business, but lesson learned.
 
I've been using a 10ft 4 weight for 20 inch trout from a float tube and a short handled "measure net". For me, it is a huge advantage having the longer rod and simply more fun. At first I found it awkward netting a fish, but soon it just became "business as usual" and never really gave it much thought after that. Those last moments of the fight, when I am trying to get the fish close enough to net, are often the most challenging, but I rarely lose a fish at that point and have never broken a rod in my float tube.
 
Rob Allen said:
It's quite simple. The more vertical you raise the rod the more the load is concentrated towards the tip, your putting the same stress on the rod, just forcing it up the rod where there is less graphite to hold it.
Best practices is to never raise your rod over 45 degrees under load.. the more you raise the rod above 45 degrees the greater your chances of breaking the rod. The longer the rod the greater the distance
Between the fish and the rod and therefore the greater the angle you have to raise the rod to bring fish to your hand..
Solution? Longer handle net.
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Agreed. High Sticking can damage a rod tip. Probably more so on a stiff rod too.
 
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You bought a great rod (I have the same one). I bought a spare tip - knock on wood, (no jinx, no jinx) I haven’t needed the spare tip. I fish from a float tube often and I use a short handled net. Someone suggested getting the fishes head up and sliding towards the net. Kinda what I try. Enjoy!!
 
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Last I checked they didn't have 10' 5wt Lago tip sections in stock. So when they do have one back in stock I will get one or two as back ups. Mine broke at the tip top, at some point. I hadn't realized it until putting it in the rod holder on my car. I ended up repairing it myself and it is still working great as a 9' 10.5'' 5wt. Resized_20230226_125056.jpeg
 
Squatchin said:
Last I checked they didn't have 10' 5wt Lago tip sections in stock. So when they do have one back in stock I will get one or two as back ups. Mine broke at the tip top, at some point. I hadn't realized it until putting it in the rod holder on my car. I ended up repairing it myself and it is still working great as a 9' 10.5'' 5wt. View attachment 59863
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I’ve broken a number of fly rods - with only one exception the break was a result of damage to the rod: darn beadheads and a crappy cast. Great repair!!
 
O clarkii lewisi said:
Just got a new Echo Lago 10 foot 5 wt rod and am super excited to take it on a lake trip. I have heard that landing fish with a long rod can cause stress at the tip section and can break a rod I am fishing from a pontoon. Is this a real concern or common occurrence or something that I should ignore? Will a long handled net make a difference in the amount that I need stretch and bend the tip? Any other tactics that you use in landing a fish in this situation. I know that there is only so much that I can do and rods will break but am looking for any tactics that might minimize this risk. Thanks in advance for any advice - looking at some of you who I know catch huge fish on long rods!! :cool:
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Broke my 10' 5wt Echo Lago tip section doing just that.
 
All I fish from my kayak are 10' rods. Have never yet broken a rod tip (probably because most of the trout I hook are in the 12" to 15" range). I am patient with the few big trout I hook,, and don't try to horse them around prematurely....I also never grab the butt section (in front of the rodgrip) of the flyrods when playing a fish, but rely solely on the grip....even without a fighting butt you can maintain good control with the other hand against the flyreel spacer section.

I bought a bigger Fishpond net than I formerly used, and its extra length and basket size has made netting fish much easier from my low sitting position in the kayak.
 
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