Daiwa fishing rods are some of the best in the industry, but like all fishing rods, will need some periodic maintenance from time to time.
At some points, a bit more than periodic maintenance will be needed – such as if a tip breaks or a part fails.
This short guide will cover two of those situations and what you can do.
A Broken Tip
High sticking and abrupt jerking movements can break rod tips, and high-end rods made with graphite, like many Daiwa rods, are more susceptible to this occurrence than lower end rods made with fiberglass.
At any rate, if your tip breaks, it’s actually a relatively easy fix. You will need three things, possibly four. These are a rod tip replacement, a heat-sensitive glue stick (which will usually come with the replacement tip), a lighter, and possibly some sandpaper in a fine grit.
If the tip of the rod is rough where it has broken, sand it lightly to smooth the surface. Also, if the carbon fiber/graphite has split near the break, use a rotary tool with a high-speed cutoff wheel to cut the rod further down below the point of the break and the split.
Then, select an appropriate rod tip replacement from the kit. It should fit snugly over the end of the rod with almost none – or no – play whatsoever. Think of it this way; it should be so snug that it should stay in place without glue. The adhesive is just a failsafe.
Remove the replacement tip, then using your lighter, melt a little bit of the glue stick, before placing it on the broken tip of the rod.
Immediately after applying the glue to the rod, slide the replacement tip over the broken end of the rod and rotate it so that it is aligned with the other eyelets. Also, be ready to remove any excess melted glue with a paper towel immediately or it will harden in place within a few seconds.
And that’s basically all there is to replacing a rod tip.
A Missing/Damaged Eyelet Insert
A damaged or missing eyelet is an equal concern to a broken rod tip, and perhaps even worse. If the insert is missing or cracked, it will abrade your line as you cast and retrieve it, eventually resulting in a break.
This is why it is absolutely imperative to address any and all issues with rod guide eyelet inserts immediately and stop using the rod the moment you find a problem.
If the insert is cracked, break it and remove it, then use a fine piece of sandpaper to sand the inner diameter of the eyelet.
Find a replacement eyelet; one that is made of stainless steel, ceramic, or aluminum oxide will be the best as they offer the best lubrication. You’ll also need some adhesive; super glue generally works well and sets quickly.
Apply some adhesive to the outside of the insert, then using pliers or tweezers place it inside the eyelet and squeeze it to hold it in place. Give it a few moments and you can remove the pliers and tweezers.
After it’s set, you can use fine sandpaper to remove any roughness around the inside or outside of the eyelet, and get back to fishing.
Time for a New Daiwa Fishing Rod?
Sometimes, you need to cut your losses and replace a rod. If you’re fielding a bigger problem than a broken rod tip or a missing eyelet insert, get yourself a new Daiwa fishing rod. Every once in a while something new is warranted!
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