How to Replace Fishing Rod Tips

Out of all the tools for fishing enthusiasts, it is the fishing rod tip that breaks down most easily.

If you ask any fishing enthusiast about the most common accidents, they would probably address faulty fishing rod tips.

It is a fact that calamities happen, but you shouldn’t get frustrated.

Repairing or replacing an entire tip is a straightforward process.

To help you, we’ve prepared a thorough guide focusing on how to remove the old one, as well as attach a new one that can save your fishing trip or boost your tournament chances. Without further ado, let’s get to it!

We also have a great guide on why are fishing rod grips split.

Why Learn How to Replace a Fishing Rod Tip?

If you are someone who goes fishing every week, it is almost inevitable that some part of your fishing equipment will become faulty.

The most common occurrence where a tip-top breaks is from improper casting.

In addition to that, other human errors such as closing your car door on the rod or someone accidentally stepping on it are also frequent culprits.

With that in mind, it is necessary to know how to replace and repair tip tops and ensure consistent tension on freshwater and saltwater fishing rods.

Steps Before Replacing a Fishing Rod Tip

Before we talk about how to remove an old tip and install a new one, we want to address the preparation steps.

The first one is to determine the tip-top style.

As you probably know, there is a wide variety of these with the main difference being what you want to use it for.

Thus, you should review the application styles to check if it is for spin/casting or if the broken tip-top was a boat/fly-styled.

Once you have done that, you can move to the next step, which is measuring the ring size.

Measuring the Ring

When it comes to standard ring sizes, you will find 6, 8, and 10 millimeters to be the most common.

Measuring is a straightforward process.

It comes down to determining if you want to go by the eyelet, which is considered an outside diameter, or take the relevant measure by the inside diameter, representing the stainless steel frame keeping the ring attached to a fishing rod.

Whichever you go for, you should know that saltwater rods do have larger rings averaging between 12 and 16 millimeters.

What to do if you have lost the tip-top of your rod? In that case, you should be referring to the smallest guide from your fishing equipment, measuring, then performing a double-check of its ring size.

Keep in mind that quality fishing rod guides have greater diameters than cheaper variants.

As we’ve already mentioned the importance of rod rings, we want to suggest you buy a ceramic wear-resistant ring whenever you are updating your fishing tools.

These are perfect for both saltwater and freshwater and should enhance the overall durability of your fishing rod.

Determining the Tube Size

Generally, tip-tops range from 3.5 to 12 when it comes to common tube sizes.

Similar to when measuring a ring, you can go for the inside diameter, which is considered to be the size of the tip-top tube, or by determining the diameter of the tip blank.

You should be getting the same values, which means that you have all the freedom to decide on your favorite tube measurement style.

Keep in mind that the measurement value isn’t the same, as instead of millimeters, tube sizes are shown in 64th of inches, which can be confusing for newbies.

Still, it shouldn’t take you too much to adapt and figure out that the tube size 6 means 6/64th inches.

Ordering a Replacement Tip-Top

Once you’ve determined the tip-top style, ring, and tube size, it is time to open a fishing magazine and search for the perfect replacement.

While you are at it, we recommend that you order a nylon winding thread and a few running guides, as it never hurts to have a couple of spare fishing rod essentials.

What If You Don’t Have Time to Order a New Tip Top?

While in this kit rod guide repair, we mostly focus on how to determine a tip-top style and install a new one, we do understand that some of you might be in the middle of a fishing trip/tournament.

Fortunately, as long as you haven’t lost it, repairing a broken tip-top is a possibility.

The first step is to remove the top from the broken blank.

The best way to do it is to heat the tip with a lighter for a couple of seconds until the adhesive is loose enough, and you can remove it with pliers.

Once you have done that, you should prepare the blank by sanding off any residues, thus ensuring that you can reattach it after fixing the broken piece.

The third step is to heat rod cement, cut it into a few thin pieces, then slide it onto the broken tip top. Make sure to cover the rod tip with cement that you have heated with a lighter for 3 to 4 seconds.

After doing that, slide it onto the rod in a perfectly flat position, ensuring that it is aligned with the guides.

In case the cement cools off before you are finished, don’t be afraid to use a lighter for a few more seconds.

When you are satisfied with the positioning, set the rod aside and allow it to cool off.

Installing a New Tip-Top

When you have the replacement tip-top with you, all it comes down to is removing the broken tip-top and installing the new one.

Follow the steps mentioned above to slide the old tip off the rod.

Once you have done that, cut the silver part of the replacement tip-top, making sure that it isn’t too large and that you will be able to put it into the tube.

The third step is to pick up a pair of pliers and heat them with a lighter for a few seconds or until the tube adhesive starts melting.

Keep in mind that if you want to avoid carbon marks at the tip-top, you are better off using an alcohol burner.

When the adhesive is melted, you should slide the replacement top onto the intact blank, ensuring it is aligned with the braided lines and fishing guides (twisting for 360-degrees if needed).

In case the blank top is broken as well, then you should remove the smallest guide and place the tip-top onto it.

FAQs

How Do You Remove a Broken Fishing Rod Tip?

The process is straightforward.

The first step is to heat the blank tip with a lighter or an alcohol burner for a few seconds or until the adhesive loosens.

The second step is to take a pair of pliers and gently slide the tip off the rod.

How Do You Glue a New Rod Tip?

When the silver adhesive is melted, you should apply it on the tip-top, which you will slide to the blank tip and set aside as the glue cools off.

Can You Fix a Rod Tip with a Superglue?

Absolutely. The main difference between it and using a silver adhesive is that you will need to hold the tip-top at the blank tip for 5 to 10 minutes or until the superglue sets.

Final Thoughts

While a broken tip-top can be annoying, it isn’t the end of the world. Following our guide, you should be able to repair an old piece or install a replacement piece. Good luck!