Earlier this week, i accidentally shut my new castaway rod in my car door, i told myself when i did it, first decent fish i hook into is gunna break this rod. Sure enough, i hook into a 24" carp while catfishing, and snap, there goes the first 4" of my rod. Thank God i bought it at Academy and still have the receipt.

I feel your pain, Caribou. A couple weeks ago I broke my favorite rod.

I learned something during the process, however, so it wasn't a total loss. I learned to never lay my rod down over the edge of the boat near any of the cleats. My rod was under the edge of one of my cleats and, as I picked the rod up to resume casting, the rod broke.

It was a Temple Fork rod and I bought another exactly like it the very next day as a replacement...awesome rod.

A not-so-honest friend told me to take it back and claim that it "just broke" as I was casting. I refused to do that for the obvious reason - it was my dumb mistake and to defraud a company in such a way would just be too weak and dishonest.

Live and learn.

In some ways, I see what you mean, but I bought the combo at academy because of the customer service and return policy. I could have.bought a similar quality combo online for less money, but I like academy and wanted to give them my business, so ill take it back and get another one.

i broke my 8ft heavy action eagleclaw right above the handle setting the hook on a gar.i took it back to academy and they exchanged it no questions asked great store and customer service

I lost a week old castaway go2 rod in the lake two weeks ago! still upset over it.

My neighbor lost a rod over the side of his boat at Grapevine several years ago and recently found it while fishing the same spot. He snagged it and reeled it in and was in shock to see what he thought was his long lost rod.

The rod looked almost brand new after he cleaned it up. The reel was in horrible shape. He took the reel apart and replaced several parts and it works great now. Pretty amazing to me.

I thought TFO had a limited life time warrenty, meaning that for 40 bucks you can get the same rod from them.

You're, right, One Blessed dude. They do have such a warranty. I didn't know that until I saw your reply.

It is probably too late to use their warranty now as I have already modified the heck out of the remaining few feet of the rod. I made a 'shorty' out of it and attached a small-framed Zebco to it. It works pretty well and is perfect for my little nephew.

I'll have to remember that if I break another one. I love the TFO rods. I got my first one this year and I can't imagine using a different brand now. They have to be the best rod for the money.

Live and learn.

I remember my first operator error when I slammed my first Skeet Reese Microguide rod in my front door. I didn't take it back as it was my fault, but I was able to sell it to someone who repaired rods for about 85% of the overall cost. Don't abuse Academy's return policy. If you weren't paying attention and caught it with a door, it is YOUR fault... not the manufacturer. They said it will catch fish, not door hinges. Just sayin'.

When I took it back, I actually told the guy I thought it was my fault, and he said, no problem, well get it exchanged for you, no big deal. So that was cool.

I had a B'N'M Crappie Rod and it broke when I caught a 8 lB Striper. I sent it back in for replacement under their Lifetime Warranty, And was called by them and told that the Rod had been caught in something and Broken instead of like I stated and that they wouldnt replace the rod but would charge me for the tip section! So Ill never do buisnes with a company that doesnt stand by their Warranty and Word and calls someone a Liar! I went to Walmarts and Got me a Ugly Stick by Shakesspeare! You can bend that puppy double and it wont break, throw it down, beat snakes with it and it will hold up and it does have a Lifetime Warranty on any kind of breakadge!! Everyone Have a safe and Great 4th.

Why would you take a rod back for exchange when you shut it in the car door???

I will admit, in hindsight, i probably shouldn't have taken it back. However, as i said earlier, the whole reason i bought the combo at academy, as opposed to somewhere online is because i think they have great customer service, and i wanted to give them my business. Also, the rod didn't break when i closed it in the door, if it had done that, there is no way i would have taken it back, it broke when i caught a fish, which granted was probably because of the door, but i don't know that 100%.

Also, I told the guy at the customer service desk that it was more than likely operator error, and they still accepted the exchange no questions asked.

Just one more reason why i like Academy, great customer service.

I had a 7ft AllStar Inshore saltwater special get broken by a large drum. It broke the rod right above the handle before I could get it out of the holder. I took it back to Academy and told them what happened, they got me a new one right off the shelf and I am a happy camper. Fished that rod for almost a year and they still made it good.

shutting the door on fishing rods is just gut wrenching