When a new rod or reel gets it's first scar what are your reactions, are you mad or do you just let it go. Do you get the feeling that you need to get another new rod. Are there any ways to get the cosmetic problems fixed.

That's part of fishing , just keep on fishing.

eh. i dont stress it.

most of my gear is either used from our flea market or i just got a great deal and dont really care about a few marks.

depending on how deep the scratch is , you may be able to get it with some touch up paint of some kind. i think it gives the reel/rod character. like dirty cork handles. 

Thats just part of fishing.  I try hard to not beat up my gear, but it is going to happen eventually no matter what you do.

It dosen't bother me one bit.  As long as they perform, it dosen't matter to me.  I bought them to fish with, not to protect like it is a Mickey Mantle rookie card or something.   ;D

Throw that mangled up rod away and buy another one.

Then quit fishing.

That should solve the dinged up gear problem and save you a lot of money in the long run.

It dosen't bother me one bit. As long as they perform, it dosen't matter to me. I bought them to fish with, not to protect like it is a Mickey Mantle rookie card or something. ;D

I completely agree. I feel the same way about my  boat. They are tools to help me catch fish. As such, they need to be taken care of and maintained properly, but they are not display pieces.

I was fishing last fall with a friend who has low end tackle (he could easily afford better) that looks like it is brand new. It is junk, but there isn't a mark on it. : His baitcast reel is kept in a neoprene cover, although it would make a better paperweight...anyway, he was having trouble casting so I let him use one of my Pro Qualifier combos. He went on and on about how nice it was. He then told me he had a nice rod at home his dad had given him, but he wouldn't use it because he was afraid he might break it. I asked if he had some sort of emotional attachment to it-nope, just safer at home. I told him he then must be a collector; he denied it, but I think the facts speak for themselves.

When a new rod or reel gets it's first scar what are your reactions, are you mad or do you just let it go. Do you get the feeling that you need to get another new rod. Are there any ways to get the cosmetic problems fixed.

Makes you look like you know what you're doing

buy a reel with a titanium depostion finish.

its like oh crap for the first scratch then i dont care anymore as long as it works

Use finger nail polish, lot longer lasting than model car paint. Walgreens has a lot of cool colors and isn't too pricey using their store brand polish.