Breaking a rod tip is one of the most common problems you can have with your fishing equipment, but it also is one of the easiest to fix if you have the materials to do so (hot glue stick, lighter, pliers or forceps and a replacement tip) close at hand. These things are cheap enough and light enough to where you can keep a set with each tackle box/bag you own (also keeping in mind that, each size of rod would need a different size tip), and being able to execute this quick fix in the field can really save a trip.
1- With a lighter, heat the part of the broken tip that covers the top of the rod blank. You are only trying to melt the small amount of tip glue that is holding the tip on, so it should only take about five seconds. Don’t do it too long as this might damage the blank.
2- With pliers, grab the tip and pull upward and it should come off easily. If it doesn’t, try to heat it up again (this time for longer) and try again. In some cases, the tip will actually “jump” off the rod blank before you even touch it.
3- Take a stick of
tip glue and heat the tip of it with the lighter. Make sure the glue stick is close enough to where it is coming in contact with the blue part of the flame. For whatever reason, if the glue is in the white part of the flame (top of flame) this blackens the glue and it starts to smoke. If this happens, it's not the end of the world. You will just have an ugly glue stick from then on out.
Note: You should only use proper tip glue (it’s basically the stuff your mom uses in a hot glue gun) to replace tips. Super Glue and stuff like that will hold it, but if it breaks again, it would be almost impossible to get off without damaging the rod blank.
4- Once the glue at the top of the stick is melted, apply it to the tip of the rod blank (be sure and get a little on the very top) and quickly put your new tip on the blank, over the glue.
5- While the glue is still melted, make sure the tip is lined up with the rest of the guides. The tip can easily be repositioned while the glue is still warm. Do not try to remove excess glue (and there will be excess) at this point.
6- Let the tip sit, untouched, for about 10 minutes, then you can carefully pick away the excess glue with your fingernail or with a small knife.
You should now be good to go!
