I broke two WalMart Abu rods, or my pal and his brother did, one on a bottom snag and one that tangled in the downrigger release. I called the tech support phone number in the Pure Fishing website and spoke to their representative. The rod is called a Salmonid, and is made just for WalMart. She assured me that the quality was just as good as the rest of their rods, and to send them in with 9.99 check for return freight and a letter describing what happened. Since these were combo's with Abu6500C3 reels, she said I would need to send the reels with them. After pleading my case that I still need to fish and these are my only reels for salmon and are loaded with expensive braided line, she put me on hold to talk to a supervisor and then came back and said to just send the rods, since the issue is with the rods and not the reels. They would do this because they had a large surplus of the rods in inventory, and would not have to break combos to replace just rods. I figured I may have to send a check for two new rods, but to my suprise about a week later a tube arrived at the house with two brand new rods.

My pal who borke the rods replaced them with some fantastic Rapala casting rods from Sportco. So, now I have a couple of nice rods for me and a couple of cheapies for guests. I am all set for rods now, and love the Abu's.

Call the tech support for Pure Fishing and speak to someone and tell them what happened. If you can, get their name and send the rod to their attention. Let them know of the knick in the rod and see what they will do. Phone calls are cheap, and if you try you will find someone who will work with you.

If I had my receipt, I could have taken it back to WalMart for a warranty swap, but I didn't have it. I have since broke the tip off one of the Rapala's, took it back to Sportco for a new one. After a little stern talking to about rod care from Bill Herzog, they gave me a new one. Funny, I thought he would be taller......