[Hardyreels]

Being patient; not jumping on the bidding - buying wagon is a real key for on-line rod buying. I can't say it enough, ask questions, lots of questions about the condition of the rod. When buying old fiberglass I learned a new hidden danger; split cork rings! The full flexing rods flex all the way into the grip and sometimes this will split a handle. I don't just mean separate the cork rings where they were glued, I mean break them in places where the old contact cement that was used has lost its bond.

So.....when after an old glass rod that is a thousand miles away......ask about the cork. Ask the seller to examine it and to flex it a little to look for splits. If they don't reply or act as if you're crazy, you may not want to deal with them.