Choosing A Rod - Warranties, why are they important?

One thing you can be sure of is that if you use a rod long enough, you will inevitably break it. While the majority of fly rods break in the tip section, the causes are many. For example, rod tips can get broken as a result of getting caught in trees, bounced off rocks, stepped on, closed in doors, and every other conceivable hazard. In addition, taking a hook point, split shot, or beadhead on the blank can break a rod.

Most "Pro Shop" fly rods are covered by an "Unconditional" warranty. This is not true however for most department store rods which at best carry a "Manufacturers Defect" warranty. While the term "Unconditional" implies that it does not matter how you break the rod, there are some important differences to be aware of. First is in regard to length. In some cases the warranty is good for life, in others a specific period of time (25 years, etc.)

In addition, some companies such as Sage will repair a broken rod while others such as Redington will replace the rod. There are also varying fees associated with different vendors warranties (some fixed, some variable). Lastly, the turnaround time for repairs varies greatly throughout the industry. As such, it pays to do your homework so that you know exactly what to expect if and when you need to exercise your warranty.

      1. Material (Tradition or Technology?)
      2. Line Weight (One Size Doesn't Fit All!)
      3. Action (There Is A Place For All Of Them...)
      4. Length (Size Does Matter!)
      5. Pieces (Are You Sure You Want That 12-Piece Rod?)
      6. Overlay vs. Internal Ferrules (The Real Difference!)
      7. Standard Snake vs. Single Foot Guides (The Real Deal!)
      8. Factory vs. Custom (Things You Should Know!)
      9. Warranties (Why They Are Important...)
      10. New vs. Used (Is It really such a Great Deal?)
      11. Discontinued Rods (What Are They Really Worth?)

 

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