Prepping for Trout Opener: Getting our stuff together before we hit the water 

If it's just the clear coat then there shouldn't be a problem. Rod manufacturers usually place a fibreglass scrim beneath the clear coat, covering the carbon fibre. The scrim helps to protect the carbon fibre underneath. Unless the hook really dug in, it should be fine. Rods can function perfectly well with entire chunks of finish missing.

@@hooked4lifeca I took electrical tape and wrapped that particular section, second section from the handle. It seems that section get the most abuse.