How To Fix Fishing Rod Tips

The dreaded sound of a fishing rod snapping may mean the end of your day, but in no way does it mean that the rod is finished. With little effort and some straightforward tools you can fix a broken rod tip yourself and head back out on the water in no time.

How to Fix a Broken Fishing Rod Tip

My truck bed is usually a thing of beauty, the perfect mix of organization and preparedness. But, when I'm done fishing for the day and have somewhere else to be, all thoughts of neatness fly out the window.

Last fall—in just such a hurry—I closed my Yeti Roadie 20 cooler lid right onto the rod tip of my go-to casting rod. The audible snap was a nightmarish sound, but replacing a broken rod tip doesn't need to keep you awake at night. In fact, it's one of the easiest repairs you can do when it comes to kayak fishing.

Materials Needed for Fishing Rod Tip Repairs

Replacement rod tip. Sometimes you can also use your old rod tip, depending on how it broke off the rod
Glue, similar to the type a hot glue gun uses
Lighter
Forceps, to protect your fingers
Knife

6 Steps to Fix Your Broken Rod Tip

1. Prepare and size the replacement tip

If you're using your old rod tip, heat the base of the tube with your lighter for 3–5 seconds to loosen the glue inside. Try to heat the tube as indirectly as possible. You should be able to lightly pull and twist the tube free from your broken rod tip. Repeat the heating process until it pulls off. If you're using a new rod tip from a replacement kit (available at local tackle shops, Bass Pro Shops or Amazon), fit the tip top over the rod to figure out which size will fit best. Look for a snug fit without any glue.

Step 1 to fix a broken rod tip — Photo: Ben Duchesney

2. Get your glue ready

Cut a few slivers of glue with your knife and then cut the slivers into small strips.

Step 2 to fix a broken rod tip — Photo: Ben Duchesney

3. Place glue in replacement tip

Place the slivers of glue into the end of the new tip top tube until it has enough glue to get a good hold. I pretty much fill up the tube with solid glue.

Step 3 to fix a broken rod tip — Photo: Ben Duchesney

4. Hold replacement tip in forceps

Attach your forceps to the tip top, along the metal wires holding the guide, not the tube itself. Holding it by the tube could crush the tube and ruin the tip top.

Step 4 to fix a broken rod tip — Photo: Ben Duchesney

5. Heat up glue

Heat up the glue with your lighter, as indirectly as possible, for 3–5 seconds.

Ben Duchesney heats up a broken fishing rod tip he is fixing — Ben Duchesney heats up the broken tip of a fishing rod with a lighter. | Feature photo: Ben Duchesney

6. Attach replacement tip

Slide the new tip top onto your rod tip and align it with your other guides immediately. Apply slight pressure and hold until the glue has time to cool and harden.

Step 6 to fix a broken rod tip — Photo: Ben Duchesney

That's it! Your rod should be as good as new and ready to go fishing again. Now, don't break it again!