Good rules of thumb for the end game, when a big fish is at the boat: (1) loosen your drag and (2) keep more than a rod’s length of line out. Here’s what happens when you don’t do that.
Apparently this rod was done in by a champion tackle-buster, the giant trevally. But when the fish starts going under the boat, the angler maxes out the pull at a pretty extreme angle (the more so when he holds his right hand above the foregrip).
An older rod is subjected to more strain than it was ever intended for — and shatters. Watch it in slo-mo.
Once a big red gets behind this kayak angler, it’s all over (toward the end of the video), when the fish forces the rod to bend in a way similar to high-sticking.
In this video, watch a snapper (as this large species of porgy is known Down Under) precipitate a busted rod long after the angler has it in the boat and in his hands.
Nice Florida Keys tarpon puts a hurtin’ on this skipper’s fly rod when placement of his right hand far up on the rod changes the stress-curve dynamic on the blank.
Apparently this angler was testing a prototypical rod. Moments after hooking an express train of a goliath grouper, it’s evident that this rod design will need more work. Watch for the second break after another angler or crew attempts to salvage the situation.
Great timing: Skipper says to angler fighting fish, “Just hold that rod down.” [SNAP!] “That’s why.” Ironically, though, when the rod snaps, the angler is in fact holding the rod down; he may have simply been outgunned on tackle too light.
Watch at about 3:20, when, if you’re quick, you can see the top foot or two of rod snap off. Note that the rod’s at about an 11 a.m. angle — the dreaded high-stick position.
As this angler puts his back into it, straining to turn a big fish, the rod shatters loudly; watch how insult is added to injury right after!
