@Ben Miller going to a rod shop is a great idea. Those guys know how to deal with problems like this. And it probably won't cost much so its a win/win. As for the paneling, take it down and replace it with nice, new drywall. Some drywall screws, tape, a little sanding and a couple coats of paint and you're back in this decade.   Oh and send the velvet painting of Elvis/ Bruce Lee/ dogs playing poker to me. I got a cousin who loves that stuff. 

I would try to find a local who fixes rods. I did that when my favorite rod got broken at the tip like yours, and he made it look brand new for $20 bucks. 

9 hours ago, reason said:

And probably knock the lava lamp over too...

Eh, leave the poor guy alone, hes got enough to worry about.

Hey Guys!  I appreciate all the comments and gestures!  So, I had some great advice from this thread and took em up on it.  1st. I contacted Abu Garcia and it's under warranty.  For $9.95, they are shipping me another.

2nd. And oddly enough, Abu did not want my rod back.  They were easy to deal with and I only took pictures, two emails, and two phone calls.  But since they didn't want the rod back, I've already had the broken one fixed today for $4.70 at the local shop.

 

Last night, bummed big time!  Today adding a brand new fav to my collection for $9.95 and fixing my other for $4.70 "just 3" shorter", I'm ecstatic!  Thanks for all the help!

Awesome. Thanks for keeping us posted man.

9 hours ago, Ben Miller said:

Hey Guys!  I appreciate all the comments and gestures!  So, I had some great advice from this thread and took em up on it.  1st. I contacted Abu Garcia and it's under warranty.  For $9.95, they are shipping me another.

2nd. And oddly enough, Abu did not want my rod back.  They were easy to deal with and I only took pictures, two emails, and two phone calls.  But since they didn't want the rod back, I've already had the broken one fixed today for $4.70 at the local shop.

 

Last night, bummed big time!  Today adding a brand new fav to my collection for $9.95 and fixing my other for $4.70 "just 3" shorter", I'm ecstatic!  Thanks for all the help!

Glad it turned out well. Now what to do with the $ saved not having to buy a new rod? Maybe put it in a piggy bank for a new ride, I'm thinking red Grand Torino with racing stripe...

12 hours ago, pondbassin101 said:

Eh, leave the poor guy alone, hes got enough to worry about.

This is a prime example of why you should check what's in the background of a photo before posting it.

1 hour ago, reason said:

Glad it turned out well. Now what to do with the $ saved not having to buy a new rod? Maybe put it in a piggy bank for a new ride, I'm thinking red Gran Torino with racing stripe...

Oh yeah, the "Striped Tomato"!!!!!!!!!!

Stop back and let us know how that Veritas works for you and what you're able to use it for...just curious.

 

I still use mine after giving it only a haircut of only about an inch and a half.  It WAS a 7'MH....now it's a 6'10.5" H.   Works well for WPloppers and magnum spinnerbaits; and OK for heavy jigs, but not a lot else....I'm guessing that if it had to be trimmed five or six inches, it would be best used as a lure retriever or stake-out pole.