my Okuma swimbait rod to break in half on a cast? At a tourney this week end, I casted a Hudd and BLAM, my 7'6 XH Guide Select broke cleanly right above the second eye from the bottom. I would return the rod if the force of my forward motion caused the butt section of the rod to fly out of my hand and land 10 feet or so a way from my in the lake. As I watched the rod and reel sink slowly out of site I could not see any frayed graphite at the break, but I could not tell for sure as I was frnticly trying to snag it before it sank out of site.

I only used the rod for Hudds, and I have put some serious hours on the rod since I bought it in August. Have any of you guys that use these rods regularly had a problem like this? While one of the things i loved about the rod, its ability to throw a Hudd a mile, should I calm down on the force of my casts?

I also want to say that I am not bashing Okuma rods. I loved the rod that broke and I plan on replacing it with another Okuma as I don't think you can buy a better swimbait rod for the money. I just want to make sure that I don't break the next one.