I was actually responding to another post when this came up. Have sort off decided what I will do but thought I would throw this to the equipment junkies.

"My nice  Diawa Flame's tip just suffered failure (twice actually 1st dont offer quality to mates catching squid - how can you high stick and break the tip on squid has me beat, but I was looking the other way when I heard the crack, 2nd not packing it away as normal ready to go to the repair shop, leaving it out, dogs knocked it over and the mover of the lawn ran over the tip and removed another cm or 2 - daft prick "cough cough" didnt see it because thats not where they normally go) and being partnered with a Stradic 4000CI4 I had to dig in the shed, and the only rod in there that would semi do the job until I either fix the flame or get a new rod for the CI4 was this old JW. Now due to a bloody sore back couldnt get out this weekend (first time in about 6 months apart from holidays) to test this.

I was looking forward to it in an odd way, now I am sure I will match the reel before next weekend. Might post the question about fixing or new rod and see. The loss of finesse doesnt phase me. Now if you answer I will promptly ignore your wrong answer" THIS WAS DIRECTED AT SAM C.

So I have a Okuma (yes yes I was wrong until I dug it out and checked) Flame FS 661ML 6'6 3-5kg that has lost about 2cm off the tip. Now for anyone that knows me would know that I hate Okuma  because of some disasters with Vsystem reels and warrantee issues. They looked good so I tried them and never again!!!!

Same with the Flame, but this rod just felt like it was what I wanted so hey Im not clever I got it. And surprise surprise I dont mind it (not enough to get it again with what its is matched with). Then upgraded the reel I had to the Stradic, and then thought why not the CI4, red and red look pretty cool. So that was my light weight flicky/tuna/squid/everything that is lightish up here in Karratha goto. The Bream rods/reels are stashed. I dont go out looking like a horney porcupine on the boat (still between the 2 off us it is 10 setups plus 2 SW fly rods tubed ready to go.

This is my goto for sight casting to Tuna especially, and light shallow sport with queenies etc. Does a good job as a squid outfit hence the undoing.

Sorry to be so bloody long winded (painkillers do that) but should I just replace the tip guide or considering what it is matched with get something new.

If its new what is the best rod for what I do to match the CI4 that I have only used myself twice but adore. As you can see above not a finesse junky, more like multi-tasking so I am not going to shed a tear over the loss off a couple of cm in fishing terms (keep it clean) but I am a fanatic about the gear doing what I am after. I also dont have the best gear (Im to rough) apart from a Stella 8000 (and you should see how I baby that), but I never get cheap stuff. More like 2nd or 3rd best. For example was going to get the Twinpower but a little big and have heard so many wraps about the Stradics, hence.

Waffle waffle waffle but thats it. Why would anyone want to take Morphine like medicine for fun has me beat. The stuff turns you into a loon.

Neels