Replacing a Guide on a Fishing Rod : 7 Steps with Pictures
Fishing was a big part of my life growing up, but as I got older, fishing took a backseat as I focused on other aspects of my life. I created this site to be able to share what I know and learn about fishing with you. Once you identify the type of guide you need to replace, you’ll need to figure out which size it is.
I suspect braid fishing line will be up to the job, but I’ll probably buy a new reel of coloured nylon next time I buy some eyes. Whilst I remember the technique from helping my Dad build split cane rods in my youth,( this is the first time I’ve tried this in 30 years+) I forgot some of the detail. I thought ordinary sewing thread would be OK I was wrong it isn’t strong enough to stand being pulled back under it’s self to finish off. You can buy rod cement and new tip tops from your local sporting goods store or online. Mix the 2 parts of the epoxy in a small dish with a paintbrush until they are thoroughly combined.
Press the foot of the new guide onto the rod so it’s in line with the other guides. Rip off a thin piece of masking tape and wrap it around the foot so it’s held in place. That way, you don’t need to keep holding it in place while you wrap it.
While you can remove the finish without any extra help, it’s much easier to do if you heat the rod finish before reaching for the razor blade. Heat the tip top of your fishing rod with a lighter to loosen the adhesive. Hold a lighter underneath the tip top of the rod, which is the ringed piece at the end of the rod, and heat it up for 4-5 seconds at a time. Once it’s heated, try pulling it off with a pair of pliers or by hand.
Cut pieces of rod cement into strips that fit inside your new tip top. Rod cement is an adhesive that comes in a solid block and is used for fishing rods to hold guides and tips in place. Use a razor or craft knife to cut out small strips of the rod cement so they fit inside the hollow chamber on your rod tip top. Use 180- or 220-grit sandpaper to smooth the ends so they fit together easily if the rod has a clean break. If your fishing rod has a jagged edge, then use a pair of scissors to cut the sharp edges off of the end of the rod so the pieces are flush. After you make your cut, use sandpaper to smooth out the edges and roughen up the surface.
To fix a snapped fishing rod, try using a fiberglass pole and some epoxy. Slide one end of the pole into your fishing rod until there are 6 inches sticking out. Once the fiberglass pole fits snugly into the rod, apply epoxy to the exposed end using a paintbrush. Connect the second half of the broken rod to the fiberglass pole and let the epoxy set. To replace the rod guide, first, remove any threading from around the guide using a craft knife. Align the new guide onto the rod and use tape to hold it in place.
It doesn’t matter what color you use since it will fit inside of the rod. This rod has been knocked about a bit and had an eye missing from further up. As you can see from the last photo this is where the yellow nylon thread ran out and I tried the button thread. For more ideas on fixing a broken fishing rod, like how to change a rod tip, read on.
Dion Liriano is a 51-year-old American zookeeper who has retired from the business. He was once a highly successful director of the Zoo and Aquarium, but he has since hung up his gloves and moved on to other ventures. Dion's passion for animals began at a young age, when he would help his father care for their family pets. This love grew exponentially when he started working at the zoo; Dion quickly became one of the most experienced keepers in the business. He credits his success to the relationships he built with both staff and animals over the years.