I have a Powell Diesel glass crankbait rod and noticed today that there is a small knick in the blank below the first guide. Is this rod going to snap on me soon? 

Is it a nick in just the top finish? I would find a good custom rod builder and get their opinion. I have a terrific rod builder locally and if it were just a nick in the finish he would top coat it. If it is down in the blank it might be a goner.

5 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

Is it a nick in just the top finish? I would find a good custom rod builder and get their opinion. I have a terrific rod builder locally and if it were just a nick in the finish he would top coat it. If it is down in the blank it might be a goner.

It's down into the blank. Not a huge loss, I picked it up on clearance for $35.

Sorry to hear that. Powell is one of my favorite brands of rods.  My favorite rod is a Powell Max 683CEF.  I would be ordering a new one immediately if that one broke.  It is so versatile.

If you are looking at a replacement your budget will of course influence your decision. I would consider the same model rod in either the Max 3D or Inferno series, as well as a similar rod in a Dobyns.  Gary Dobyns helped develop many of the Powell rods as they worked together on many of them before Dobyns brought out his lineup.  Maybe that is why i like both companies rods so much.  Another good option would be an Irod Genesis II.

2 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

Sorry to hear that. Powell is one of my favorite brands of rods.  My favorite rod is a Powell Max 683CEF.  I would be ordering a new one immediately if that one broke.  It is so versatile.

If you are looking at a replacement your budget will of course influence your decision. I would consider the same model rod in either the Max 3D or Inferno series, as well as a similar rod in a Dobyns.  Gary Dobyns helped develop many of the Powell rods as they worked together on many of them before Dobyns brought out his lineup.  Maybe that is why i like both companies rods so much.  Another good option would be an Irod Genesis II.

I love the feel of this rod, honestly can't believe it's an $80 rod. I did read all the bad reviews as far as durability goes prior to ordering it, just couldnt pass up the price. Kind of makes me leery about Powell, though I have had my eye on the inferno and max for a while now. Guess I'll start planning something new. Appreciate your responses 

Do not be scared off Powell. My 683CEF is my main jig/texas rig rod. I love it.  It gets a ton of use per year.  The Diesel rod was a good rod series but it was sold with "no warranty" only because the retail price was what the "no questions warranty price" would have been. I have heard of a few of their other rods breaking, but the factory does have a warranty on the Max 3D and Inferno lines.  If it worries you I would look at a Dobyns Fury series rod instead. I have no worries and trust all 3 brands.  I have had personal conversations with the owners at all 3 companies and they have gone out of their way to help me when I was interested in their products.