moment of silence part 2

[numbskull]

How low behind you was the jig when the rod broke? I ask because I don't think people realize how these rods break while casting. Some break because of a manufacturing flaw, some because of prior minor trauma nicking graphite fibers, but I believe most break because of a casting fault. Any rod will break if you pull the tip hard enough in a line back towards the butt. What most of us don't think about is the position of the lure on our backcast at the moment we start up and around. If the lure has dropped too close to the rod shaft, it is not hard to over stress the upper 18" of the blank. On moderate action rods (like the GSBs) the softer action of the midsection provides some cushion. On faster action rods, like the Arras, the blank is designed to stiffen quickly in the mid section so more leverage can be delivered during the cast. As a result, a sudden violent acceleration of a lure near its upper range that is hanging too far inside the arc of the tip can pop the rod. It is fair to argue that this is a design fault and they should have made the rod more forgiving, but I think the rods were built as casting tools with the input of guys who cast better than the rest of us. When we get tired and sloppy and stop paying attention, shiit happens. Sorry about your rod, I'd expect Lami to stand by it, good luck.

[1dozenraw]

So, if I am getting what you are saying, I should try and kept the rod in a more horizontal position when I start to load it rather than vertical and snap loading, which would have the same effect as lifting a fish with the rod tip pointed skyward???? Am I getting it right or am I just confused. I'm asking because I have an Arra 1084 that I like and I'll pay a little attention if it prevents a blow-up. Thanks.

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by 1dozenraw

So, if I am getting what you are saying, I should try and kept the rod in a more horizontal position when I start to load it rather than vertical and snap loading, which would have the same effect as lifting a fish with the rod tip pointed skyward???? Am I getting it right or am I just confused. I'm asking because I have an Arra 1084 that I like and I'll pay a little attention if it prevents a blow-up. Thanks.

Probably. I think there is also a rod length and timing issue. With shorter rods and fast backcasts, if you hesitate at the end of your backcast the lure will drop or swing towards the rod shaft and start up and over from a sharper angle. With longer rods, I've come to believe the best option is to slowly position the rod behind you with the plug hanging at 90 degrees, then start your cast with an upward lift and twist to start loading the rod before coming forward. Whatever your style, start smooth and apply power in mid cast rather than trying to accelerate too quickly. Speed applied before the rod is loaded and "locked up" is counterproductive and risky. Be clear that I am no authority on this and don't even consider myself much of a caster. Just that years of flyfishing trained me to think about what the blank and weight position is doing when it is behind me during a cast. Hopefully others will chime in with their thoughts and we can all learn something.