Don't give up on the Sharpshooter 6 rods. I own 3 (2 in GA and 1 in NC) and they're my favorite of all I own (even the G-Loomis). I've never had any issue with them and one is over 5 years old. I suspect something damaged yours before you received it. I had a similar experience with some striper rods in the truck bed a few years ago. The bed cover opened and whacked them while going down the road. 3 of the 4 broke on the first fish that was caught after the whack and they didn't visibly appear damaged.