I've done that with my trout pole. Except I was casting while it happened, sometimes a pole just HAS to break...and it seems like it always happens when the bigguns are in the picture.

I wasn't there so I don't know what happened, but keep in mind that "choking up" on the rod reduces the amount of shock absorbance that a rod has. A lot of people reach higher onto the rod to put more pressure on the fish. Just be aware that rods are more likely to be broken this way.

Sorry about losing that fish. I would be disappointed even if it was a giant shad or a drum. When a big fish is on the line, you still want to be able to land it. Better luck next time!

I was fishing for speckled trout on the grass flats west of the Chandeleur Islands off Louisiana some years ago when a big jack crevalle hit my lure. Since it was the lure the trout had been hitting the best, and was the only one of that kind I had, I gave chase in the skiff and we went round and round for over thirty minutes before the rod (an old and valued Betts) broke, like yours, right above the first guide. I tried a while longer to land the jack, but he broke off. When I examined the rod, I saw that the foot of the guide had worn into the rod as it had flexed, creating a weak spot. It was my fault sine I'd replaced the guide myself and hadn't epoxied it to the rod which allowed it to move and wear on the rod. Just another mistake for me to learn from.

I was fishing with a 1 piece cane pole at a local reservoir. Had a massive Northern hit my bait and take off. It bent the rod nearly in half before the thing snapped. Would've been the fish of a lifetime had I brought a different rod.

Sounds like the rod had a week spot, grmlin chew, door slam, window rowed up, stepped on. It happins.

I guess they've had to replace too many rods over the years and doing so have shortened the warranty, I dont blame them for doing so. They still have a very good warranty.

http://www.shakespeare-fishing.com/service/warranty.shtml

7 Year Warranty

Limited Warranty I:
For 70 days from the date of purchase, the Shakespeare Company will replace or refund the purchase price of your Ugly Stik Series rod if you are not totally delighted with the way it feels, handles, and fishes.

Limited Warranty II:
For seven (7) years from the date of purchase, the Shakespeare Company will replace your Ugly Stik Series rod if it breaks, snaps, or cracks while you are fishing.

This warranty does not cover damage by addition to or alteration of the product, accident, abuse, or normal wear. This warranty does not extend to products which are put to commercial or rental use.

The tip of my pole snapped off when it got stuck on a tree, some rod's are collapsable, so it is fairly easy to get a replacement, some are glued together and is impossible to find a replacement. Unfortunately for me, mine is one of those that there is no hope in finding it a replacement.