My Black Max 3 6'6" M/M rod finally gave it up. Not permanently, but at least for the short term. One of the middle guides broke off. I had snagged a crankbait on some buck brush and was whipped the rod a little to free it, when I made the next cast, the guide was dangling on the line. It had broken at the foot.

 

I've used it for 3 years as my all around bank fishing rod. It casts good. I can cast lighter lures with it, down to a weightless zoom lizard. And I'm accurate with it. It doesn't have a huge amount of backbone for dragging fish out of cover, but I don't drag fish out of cover a whole lot.

 

Since I've gotten a Lews Hank Parker M/F, I've been using the Black Max M/M for crankbaits and flukes, and using the Lews for texas rigs, flukes, and jigs.

 

I purchased another combo the day it broke, took my reel off and put it on the new rod and went back to fishing. I wish you could buy the rod separate, though I've never seen it offered. 

 

I do plan to learn to replace the broken guide, and hopefully put it back into service. I doubt I'll be able to find a guide that matches. It wont hurt my feelings to have 2 of the same rod, as I love it for moving baits.

3 minutes ago, Bazoo said:

I doubt I'll be able to find a guide that matches.

Only matters for the looks.   Any guide the same size will perform the same.

The Vengeance is just slightly upgraded from the Black Max rod, and can be had for around $50.

Get a new guide on that rod and get back to casting. 

 

Most of my rods are 30+ year old Cabela's brand. I've replaced a few guides here and there. They still fish. 

4 hours ago, Bazoo said:

I do plan to learn to replace the broken guide, and hopefully put it back into service. I doubt I'll be able to find a guide that matches.

Scan eBay if you can't find a match from the usual suspects like Mudhole, etc. Tons of guides listed as Buy it Now.