diff --git a/zone/forage.cpp b/zone/forage.cpp
index 24c4641e4..7941c2000 100644
--- a/zone/forage.cpp
+++ b/zone/forage.cpp
@@ -368,7 +368,8 @@ void Client::GoFish()
 	//chance to break fishing pole...
 	//this is potentially exploitable in that they can fish
 	//and then swap out items in primary slot... too lazy to fix right now
-	if (zone->random.Int(0, 49) == 1) {
+	const EQEmu::ItemInstance* Pole = m_inv[EQEmu::invslot::slotPrimary];
+	if (Pole && Pole->GetItem()->SubType == 1 && zone->random.Int(0, 49) == 1) {
 		MessageString(Chat::Skills, FISHING_POLE_BROKE);	//Your fishing pole broke!
 		DeleteItemInInventory(EQEmu::invslot::slotPrimary, 0, true);
 	}