I broke a chunk out of the side of my reel seat on a brand new rod. The reel still stays put when I am practicing, but I am afraid it will fall off when I am fighting a big un. Can I epoxy the reel in? Is there anything I can rebuild the side with? Any suggestions would be helpful as I can't really afford a new stick. Thanks!

Im not saying I have a solution, but I would definately think don't epoxy the reel on. Maybe try to return it or send it to manufacturer (and insist that they pay shipping  ;D)? Can't hurt to try.

What's the reason I shouldn't epoxy the reel to the rod? Would it kill the sensitivity?

What happens if the rod breaks at the second guide?  What are you going to do with the reel if that happens?  -Just something to think about.  I don't know much about rod building, but why couldn't you have a new reel seat put on?

Good point. Is it hard to put a reel seat on? Could I zip tie the reel to the rod? The rod is part of a Bill Dance Quantum combo, so its not worth putting alot of money into it.

what kind of rod is it?you may have a warranty on it and can get it fixed or replaced

I have absolutely no idea if it is hard/expensive to put a reel seat on. I would assume it would be fairly expensive/intensive, and if the rod is inexpensive, it may be easier to try and take it back, send to manufacturer or just dump it and get a new one.  I don't think the zip tie would be very effective.  you want the rod and reel to feel like one unit, I am not sure you could get that effect with the zip tie.

Good point. Is it hard to put a reel seat on? Could I zip tie the reel to the rod? The rod is part of a Bill Dance Quantum combo, so its not worth putting alot of money into it.

Your not going to have a new reel seat put on that would take taking all of the guides off, cutting the old seat off and re-sizing an new seat on, and, that is done from the front to match the taper of the blank.

If that is a Quantum rod then I would contact Quantum fishing, and, see what all has to be done to get the rod replaced.

DO NOT epoxy your reel to the seat you will be sorry sooner or later...

Just the .02¢ from an old custom rod builder..

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

Good point. Is it hard to put a reel seat on? Could I zip tie the reel to the rod? The rod is part of a Bill Dance Quantum combo, so its not worth putting alot of money into it.

Your not going to have a new reel seat put on that would take taking all of the guides off, cutting the old seat off and re-sizing an new seat on, and, that is done from the front to match the taper of the blank.

If that is a Quantum rod then I would contact Quantum fishing, and, see what all has to be done to get the rod replaced.

DO NOT epoxy your reel to the seat you will be sorry sooner or later...

Just the .02¢ from an old custom rod builder..

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

x2

Is there anything I could use (bondo?) to rebuild that small chunk?

IMO, those Bill Dance combo's are cheapies.  Go ahead and epoxy the reel to the rod.  Regardless of what happens in the future to either the rod or reel you'll have a perfect excuse to go buy better equipment.  Those BD sig combo's aren't high dollar nor are they designed to last that long anyway. 

if its "brand new" then take it back to the store and get a replacement.

If it was me the word "duct tape" comes to mind...

Is there anything I could use (bondo?) to rebuild that small chunk?

Believe it or not there is way to much torque and flexing going on to add any BONDO to the seat and expect it to hold. The seats are spin molded graphite.

How did you break a chunk of the reel seat out anyway?

If you dropped the whole system and the seat broke, I would be wondering/worrying about the reel that was mounted.

Take/send the rod back and get an exchange.

Tight Lines!!!!

If it was me the word "duct tape" comes to mind...

I once fished for a year or two with a beat up old baitcaster on an even older Fenwick rod that had a broken reel seat. A few raps of electrical tape and you're good to go.