Waxing Fishing Rod Ferrules

Waxing Fishing Rod Ferrules

Ensures a tight secure join between fishing rod sections

Have you ever seen an angler cast one or more rod sections along with their sinker or lure? I have observed this unfortunate casting technique on several occasions. It happens quite a bit at surfcasting contests. It sure is hilarious – so long as it is happening to the other bloke and not you!

The most frequent cause of the rod sections parting during the cast is the ferrule joint having become sloppy through lack of maintenance. The rod joint becomes too smooth and shiny with the result that the tight friction fit between the sections is lost. You have likely noticed that sometimes the two sections of your rod have gone out of alignment after having fished for a while. You then have sight down the guides and realign the sections. This problem is caused by the same looseness in the ferrule joint.

This tight friction fit is quickly and easily restored by the application of ordinary candle wax to the surface of the inside section of the rod joint. You don’t need to get carried away. Just a few strokes with the wax is all that’s needed.

Sometimes after applying wax the fit can become so tight that you can’t separate the sections. By holding the joint with your hand for a few minutes you can usually soften the wax enough to get it apart.

I believe that three section rods are the worst for flying apart at the ferrule during casting. The top section in particular is almost always the first to end up in the drink! For this reason I prefer a two section rod, or better still, a rod made in one section only.

If your rod does fly apart when casting the first reaction is to run down into the surf after it. This is very dangerous because your attention is focused on finding and retrieving the errant rod section. In this situation it is all too easy to get tipped up by the backwash and drowned. If your rod tip does fly-off try winding your line in straight away. You could be luck enough to get the section back. But if the line has broken there is little hope because the rod section will sink to the bottom. If your mate is close by he could try casting over where the lost section hit the water in the hope of hooking it with his ticer. Don’t laugh! I saw this done successfully once at the mouth of the Waimakariri River.

Prevention is always better than cure, so, if you haven’t already, get hold of a bit of candle wax and carry it in you tackle box or bag. Now and again give your fibre-glass ferrule a quick once over and you will be saved from the embarrassment of suddenly shortening loosing the end of your rod.

Doing this maintenance job once or twice a year will ensure your rod’s tip section doesn’t fly off when casting. This is particularly important with three section fishing rods which are the worst of all in this respect. Apply wax to the ferrule joint of all of your fishing rods both fibre-glass and carbon fibre.