Breaking Tfo's

[Guest bigbadbrent]

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[tgo]

My two-piece 6w hasn't broken yet, but I don't use it as often as my Scott 5w. I've heard of others who have broken them though. It's $25 to receive a new section? Now you are scaring into taking a backup to my TFO 3w tommorow.

[SilverDoctor]

How common is it that you break your rod, i recieved my TFO CrX for my birthday one year ago..(one of many, i have about 5 in the household). Now, since recieving this rod, i've broken it numerous times (i mean, 5-6 times) and it's great that the break policy is so easy, but after a while, the 25 bucks start to add up, i think the only piece on my rod that is still original is the bottom 1/4. I broke it again today, while trying to net a fish, and it snapped all the way down the 3rd piece, so pretty much the middle of the rod, which seems just plain strange spot to break.....do i just keep getting unlucky, or is this a common problem?

 

What weight is the rod?

[Guest bigbadbrent]

5 weight. I use it more then any of my other rods, but whenever i've broken any of those. it was my own complete fault (broke a 4 weight when my dog stepped on it, and broke a 6 when i smacked it with a streamer the cast after landing a fish..)...Just seems wierd to me that this one keeps breaking...and on a very very large fish

[dAm]

Last year I broke the top few inches off my 6wt when I got snagged on a small patch of weeds and pulled a little hard. I don't remember damaging it before and had already caught several fish on it that day. It was replaced easy enough but I can see your point once it starts happening a few times.

[H2O]

I broke the 2nd section from the butt on a 9wt TFO a couple of years ago. Was a little shocked but when I took it to them they didn't charge me the 25 bucks and said that they've had manufacturing mixture issues in the past.

[LynnF]

3 times...2 different rods. One not charged for as it was a guide that came unglued and therefore a manufacturing defect.

 

All's I'm gonna say is this: you get what you pay for. I'm not saying TFO are junk, but let's face it. They're affordable, their warranty is good and there's a price to pay for that.

[RonEh]

Well I broke my 4 wt TFO 2 piece, when brining in a nice size grayling, but that was after a small streamer smacked it on a back cast (chuck and duck) I now have several other TFO's and all are in good condition but then again they don't see much action,,,,,, all I can say is send it back and hope that one day it will hang on,,,,,,

[Brownstone]

my TiCr 7wt 4 pc does not have an original piece, with each section being replaced once. broken tip playing in the trees, eye came off second section, and I stepped on the bottom pieces (don't ask). 4 X 26.50 = 104.00 ... less than half the price of the rod, I think its a good value rod and the service for warrenty is unbeatable.. ..Im waiting for warrenty on a Sage right now..

[maxwell]

ive broke alot of mine but its usually my fault...if u hook ur flies in ur guides it can weeken the thread or metal same with letting em roll aroudn in the back of ur vehicle...a knock here and tehre can stress or weaken the blank.

[hopdrop]

Broke my 6 weight twice, second time on the third cast. 4 weight currently has a zip tie holding the cork together. As others said 25 bucks and an hour beats 60 bucks + shipping and going on 5 weeks for my sage.

[lonefisher]

Just got my GLX back from G loomis first time it broke and I used it almost exclusively for well over a year and a lot. All they asked for was just the 5-6inch section with all the rod specs which is cheaper for shipping..... i got back a whole new rod and sock cost 60$ and shipping...... so about 80 bucks for a new rod that retails starting at 645 US....... I still have all 3 of 4 sections from the first rod which had just the one break 1 inch from the tip might toss a replacement tip on there just in case I break the new one while on a trip and i need a temporary back up...... of course if I break the butt section this will not be possible..... I was fairly impressed with the service as the rod was gone for less the a month...... I think actually about 3 weeks...... warranty fee is higher but the rods capabilities are great....... I know this thread was about tfos but I figured I would mention my loomis as 1 break in a year at 80 bucks for total replacement is pretty decent compared to some people with several breaks over a similar period at 25 bucks per piece replacement....... The great advantage of the TFO though is obviously the ability to just go in with the broken piece and out with a fresh one.

[Redman]

Snapped the tip off my 8 weight two piece TFO Wednesday morning last week getting ready to go out for the afternoon. Had purchased the rod in 2000 and given others equipment faux pas I had not had an incident with this rod to this point. Any way gathered the pieces and went down to " the plant" here in Calgary where they quickly replaced the piece while I made my $ 26.50 donation. I certainly have no complaints as I was on my merry way in 5 minutes with a no hassle exchange.

[Guest Rocknbugs]

I have a 2 piece six weight that I let my kids use or shall I say drag across the parking lot, step on and smack tree's with as they walk past. I also let whoever I take to the lake that doesnt flyfish use it. It gets beat up brutally, smashed and trashed but still has not broke, I think it is the indestructible rod.

[grannyknot]

My summer rod is a St. Croix, so it doesn't break. Buy one without a warranty and accidental snappings decrease immediately.

[WesG]

My summer rod is a St. Croix, so it doesn't break. Buy one without a warranty and accidental snappings decrease immediately.

 

HAHA, thats funny, but yet so true

 

It is a TFO you have to remember, they break, thats just the way it is

[Guest bigbadbrent]

tossed a Sage Z-axis and TCR today..man that TCR is tough to cast, ultra-ultra fast, would be shooting rockets off of it if you overlined it..

 

looks like my new full setup will be a:

 

# 5 9.0 Sage Z-axis, Tioga reel (holy indestructible batman), GPX line...

 

gideeyup

[KnotLikely]

# 5 9.0 Sage Z-axis, Tioga reel (holy indestructible batman), GPX line...

 

Nice setup!

 

 

The only rod I've ever had issues with was a broken tip on my first rod, a cheapy Pflueger, which wasn't under warranty, and broke taking it out of the tube...my fault in a total moment of stupidity. I've been pretty lucky with my Sage and Loomis rods that do have a decent warranty, but also hit the wallet a bit harder...hope 'Murphy' didn't hear that.

 

Just bought a Tioga Magnum for my Sage DS 1090 salmon rod, awesome quality for an affordable reel, and drag that could stop a truck. I'd love to replace my DS 690 with a Z-axis.

 

As for the TFO's my buddy and his wife have about 6 of these rods between the two of them, and have had to get a few of them warrantied. They might be more prone to breakage, but for the quality/price and the ease of getting them warrantied, I'd say that you can't go wrong with one, especially if you're just starting out, or need a rod that you might only use a few times a year...or fish with your kids or a dog!

[Guest bigbadbrent]

tioga's are probably the best reel on the market for the price, and the amount i fish, they should keep up without breakin the budget...

 

maybe i'll take care of this line, will last me more then a season

 

wont be getting it for quite awhile

[Guest bigbadbrent]

ooo just looked at the site, can get it in a 10 foot 4 piece, that shall be my baby

[bigbrown]

Broke my 6 weight twice, second time on the third cast. 4 weight currently has a zip tie holding the cork together. As others said 25 bucks and an hour beats 60 bucks + shipping and going on 5 weeks for my sage.

 

60 bucks!! ?? did u go straight through sage? mine only cost like 30 maybe less including shipping

[Guest bigbadbrent]

Finally brought this rod in today and talked to the owner. He thought i was being unfair with this post, and after thinking about it, i think i am being unfair. I posted this in anger, as i had broken a rod (doesnt matter what rod it is, if you break it, you're not going to be happy).

 

Just to put everything into perspective, while i do break rods often (probably more then most of the people on this board combined) chances are its because i fish over 100 trips a year, and all of the breakages have been operator error (i can tell you that i'd be a lot more concerned hitting a 700 dollar rod with a fly or splitshot then a 300 dollar ones)

 

By no means did i mean to degrade the company (i own 4 of their rods, and love every one of them)...Their new Axiom rod is unbelievable, played with it today and was REALLY impressed..Maybe something else for the future

[PAV]

I broke my 5 wt TICrX in Alaska after bringing in a dozen pink salmon ranging from 3 -5 lbs so it did alright. All this after I broke a friends 8 wt Sage. By the end of the 2 days I was down to using my Dads back up spinning outfit. From now on I'll bring at least 2 spare rods per trip. As soon as I got home I paid the $25.00 and was back in business right away with the TFO where the Sage took a month to get back. So yes, it's cheap but when you can get back on the stream quick it's a nice option.

 

PAV

[Lawrence]

I have allready broke my 3 in two sections, My 5 in one and my 6 twice in two sections. everyone I can think back and come to a conclusion of why it broke.

[grannyknot]

My 5wt 4pc Signature broke first time out, as I was walking down to the river. I waved it in the air a bit, and the tip broke. Clearly something happened to it at the store, or something, but it was replaced without a fee, and the new one has been great so far. I'm a klutz, so I expect to break rods, so I will be going with TFO again, probably a Finesse in a 3 for my next one.