Just realized I missed a chance to tell a story my fellow fisherman might enjoy about why I need a new rod. Remember I am novice trying to relearn the art of fishing.
So my 5 year old son and I were at one of our favorite little spots in NE Iowa (state park, lake, little offshoot of it we walk through about 150 yds of woods to get to and have good luck at). Anyway, little JM was having some luck and I was wanting to make sure he didn’t have all the fun. I had just put a new 10lb test on my pole. Switched to 3” minnow powerbait and bang, first cast, 12” large mouth. So naturally I go right back the same spot as my son watches hoping I get another one. Well of course, a snag, a bad one. I’m growing increasingly pissed as I try to get this thing undone because I had JUST fished little JMs line out of a tree he had cast it into. I’m pulling and pulling and nothing, won’t come lose. Finally, I give the ole one more firm anger infused tug and either it will come loose or line will break. Sure enough the line does NOT break but my freak pole snaps in half and the top end flies straight down the line out in the water. As I am standing there completely confused for a second and even MORE pissed now, my 5 yr old who was watching this all unfold looks at me goes “Holy sh*t, dad. That was kinda cool.”
All anger left me. Great moment. I smiled and said “yes it was, son. Now don’t use that word around your mom, ok?”