Used Rod

[Fishin4Life]

Hey, I just picked up a used St. Criox rod, but it needs a new tip put on. Do you guys know how much thorn bro's cost to replace the tip? It's not crushed or anything, just missing the plastic insert thinger. I work real close to their place so I thought I could drop it off at lunch or something. Are they pretty quick at turn around?

[Norsky]

That's pretty easy to do yourself, even if you've never done it before. Take a lighter and heat up the old tip a little to get it off, or if it's already off just clean up the end of the rod with a little sand paper. Go to Gander and pick up a replacement tip of the proper size, epoxy it on (I use the 2 part mix stuff-very strong). Just make sure it's nice and straight. Take the money you would have spent on having someone else do it and buy yourself some more Rapalas. That's all there is to it.

[RobertELee]

I had the same thing happen to me when I bought a new one. I didn't notice that the ceramic inside of the tip was gone until I started threading line through it. I just called up St. Croix's customer service line and they sent me out a new tip with the glue in a couple of days. It was extremly easy, you just heat up the barrel with a lighter and the tip slides right off. Then just insert the glue (powder type) into the new tip, start sliding it on while heating with the lighter. Good as new. I would bet that since you bought it used the warranty is void but they will sell you the parts, all you have to give them is the model number and probably the serial number and they will ship it out to you.

[SteveWilson]

If you're close to Thorn Brothers then just take it over. The tip will cost somewhere between $3 and $10 and it's a repair they usually make in the shop right then. I don't know how much they charge but it probably isn't much. The only thing that you'll miss is any thread wraps that snug up to the tip top.

[upnorth]

Better to use a high temp hot glue of sorts or you will have problems removing the tip top if it ever breaks again.

[Fishin4Life]

Just got back from Thorne Bros. Got my rod fixed for 5 bucks, and it took them about 3 minutes to do it. I highly recomend anyone to go there for all your rod needs. They are great people to work with. Woulda cost be about 5 bucks just for a new tip and glue.

[stellarfisher]

Could have gotten it done at Gander for $1.99, they do it right there too, maybe takes a minute.

[upnorth]

The cost for a quality tip top is about 70 cents and about 1/2 cent for glue. Pretty good profit margin on that one.

[Fishin4Life]

Well it worked good for me. For the service at thorne I would rather pay more and get it done there. I like supporting businesses like them. Maybe thats just me.

[Gus]

I'd go to Throne also. It is pretty easy to do yourself in a pinch. I carry extra tips and glue in my tackle bag. Most times I never have the exact size tip but the one I put on will work until I can have it fixed right.

[SteveWilson]

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The cost for a quality tip top is about 70 cents and about 1/2 cent for glue. Pretty good profit margin on that one.

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You can get a Fuji Aluminum Oxide top for that but a Hardaloy top will cost you $2, an FST Concept for $4, ICFST for $6, a TFST Concept for $9, and a Gold Cermet for $28 - it all depends on what you're replacing (hint St. Croix use a lot of Fuji concept guides). Then add in the minimum $5 shipping charge and $2 for a stick of tip top adhesive and all of a sudden Thorn Brothers price looks pretty good.

[stellarfisher]

So whats wrong with Gander, I know they use Fugi guides? And it is cheaper?

[Fishin4Life]

Quote:

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So whats wrong with Gander, I know they use Fugi guides? And it is cheaper?

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There is nothing wrong with Gander. I work for a small business, and like to help support other small businesses. I have received great one on one from Thorne brothers and I guess that keeps me coming back. Gander is so big and usually so busy it can be hard to get help right away, thats all. Nothing against gander, just personal preference.

[stellarfisher]

The question was more pointed at Mr.Wilson, I like Thorne Bros myself, they have products that no one else has, and they are usually well stocked. I just pointed it out that Gander was cheaper, and I like to save money I guess. No harm, no foul.

[Fishin4Life]

Oh gotcha. I just didn't want to make you think I was down grading Gander. (they eat lots of my money) LOL. Seems you go in there for one thing and bam 60 bucks. haha.

Good Fishin!

[SteveWilson]

Gander stocks all of the different Fuji Guides? Really? I can get all of my rod building supplies at Gander? Which Store? The only guides I've seen at Gander is the little blister pack of three Fujii guides and some glue. Those are fairly low end (but decent to get you back up and running), cheap guides. There are a lot of guides available on the market and if you want to repair your rod with the same or better tip top that was used originally then you need to know what guide is on there; that can run from less than a buck to around $30. Take a look at Mudhole or Jan's Netcraft for an example of the different guides available. I recently replaced a tip top on my wife's Shimano walleye rod and it was about $4 at Thorne Brothers and roughly the same on the net; it depends on the specific model and size. For example, let's say you buy a St. Croix Premier spinning rod 6'6" Medium weight. The guide set used on that rod will cost you about $12 and $2.50 for the tip. Now buy a St. Croix Avid or Legend (6'6"" M), the guide set used on that rod costs about $75 and the tip is around $8-$10. Same basic rod parameters but a different blank and better componets. The guides look similar but they are not the same. You get what you pay for. So if you have a higher end rod and need to replace the tip you shouldn't be surprised if it costs $6-$10 for the tip, whereas if you break the tip on your Ugly Stick it costs $1. There is a large variety of materials used in guides and tip tops and they run the gamut of prices.

[upnorth]

Depends on where you buy your stuff. I use pac bay hardaloy tips and guides and I never pay anywhere near those kinds of a prices. All I am saying is they are enjoying a pretty good markup and it only takes a minute or so put on a tip top.

[SteveWilson]

Yep Pacific Bay Hialoy tops will run you about a buck, their SiC tops will cost you around $4-$7, and they have others that are a bit more. Fuji has a larger variety and cover more price range