Was fishing live bait for stripers and hybrids with a nice one owner rod ($130 MSRP) that I just picked up for around $65. I was tickled to get such a good deal on the rod. Well this 8.1 lb booger took the bait on one of the middle of 4 rods on the port side of the boat.
Needless to say he wrapped up all 4 sets when making runs in every direction, all the while I’m trying to untangle/cut lines on the other three rods. In the midst of all this, I highsticked the rod a bit too much and it broke! I was ecstatic about a nice fish and devastated that my “steal of a deal” was broken.
Thankfully, the manufacturer worked with me on warranty ($60), and after shipping in my broken rod ($10), I’ll have a new rod for just a hair over retail.
Sometimes being cheap works, other times it evens out in the end.