I purchased a Dobyns Sierra ultralight pole this week to use for crappie or just as a throw and go pole for local ponds. Was super pumped to try it out today for the first time, however when I went to set the hook on my first fish, the pole snapped in half about half way down the pole (was using 6 lb braid with a 4 lb leader)!  This has to be a manufacturer defect correct? Maybe the pole had a small crack in the blank during shipping…Guess I’ll see how their warranty is this week!

It has their top warranty - I would give them a call - wouldn't try to overthink it, tell them it broke when it shouldn't have.  

https://dobynsrods.com/warranty/

These things happen from any manufacturer. Dobyns warranty is top notch. I had a 704c Extreme develop pressure cracks halfway down the blank after my first outing with it. I emailed them a picture and explained the situation. They immediately replied back with a return shipping label for me. They mailed me a replacement as soon as they saw my defective rod was scanned in at UPS. I had my new replacement rod in under a week from whenever I first emailed them. 

Do that first, then get some Daiwa Ajing jig hooks and never set another hook in your life.

7 hours ago, fishballer06 said:

These things happen from any manufacturer. Dobyns warranty is top notch. I had a 704c Extreme develop pressure cracks halfway down the blank after my first outing with it. I emailed them a picture and explained the situation. They immediately replied back with a return shipping label for me. They mailed me a replacement as soon as they saw my defective rod was scanned in at UPS. I had my new replacement rod in under a week from whenever I first emailed them. 

I emailed them and completed the return shipping label form plus payment (through a link Dobyns sent). I suppose now I will wait for them to send a shipping label for me to return the rod. Thanks!

You have to pay to have this rod replaced even if it was a defect?

7 minutes ago, MiceNReets said:

You have to pay to have this rod replaced even if it was a defect?

You pay to ship the broken rod back to them...so just shipping charge.

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

You pay to ship the broken rod back to them...so just shipping charge.

Ahhh yeah that makes sense.    They should just adopt the same practice as St Croix and a few pics will do it.  No shipping.   
 

shimano is the same except they’ll send you the rod first and you have to ship it back in the tube within 45 days or they’ll charge you full price for the replacement.   Oh well hopefully it was just a dud and the next one is a gem

5 hours ago, MiceNReets said:

Ahhh yeah that makes sense.    They should just adopt the same practice as St Croix and a few pics will do it.  No shipping.   
 

shimano is the same except they’ll send you the rod first and you have to ship it back in the tube within 45 days or they’ll charge you full price for the replacement.   Oh well hopefully it was just a dud and the next one is a gem

Ya it’s a little confusing. They have a link to fill out and pay $35 for a shipping label… I would have thought they would have sent me a label to print out, however after I paid the $35, there was no follow up instructions. I am assuming they will  perhaps mail me a shipping label, or email me one tomorrow?

20 hours ago, MiceNReets said:

You have to pay to have this rod replaced even if it was a defect?

All rod makers have u pay shipping