Built my rods around a Shimano reel, and the intersect point is abot 2' from the tip or the rod. Great caster.

Switched to a different reel, and now the intersect point is about 2' from the reel! The rod casts terribly now.

Is there any way to make the setup cast better without changing the rod? I almost want to heat the reel seat and see if I can get it to aim a little lower...

TH

It must be an unusual reel to have such an angle as to move the intersect point that close. Are you sure the reel hasn't been bent? I don't think heat and bending it would work. It's probably cast metal or some sort of hard plastic. Some reels have no converging angle between the spool shaft and mounting but one like you speak of is something I haven't seen. Maybe you could shim up the front part of the seat so as to get a better angle on the rod if you need to use that reel.

Tony,

The one disadvantage with a true custom rod, is that it has been dialed in to fish with a specific reel. Geat if you continue to use that reel, somewhat less than great if you or your customer switch reels around!

If you know the rod may be fished with more than one type or size reel then you will have to build a little like the factories do - with some measure of compromise.

If you know the smallest, and largest reels likely to be fished on the rod, you would plot the intersect point for both and then locate the choke guide at a point about halfway between those two locations. Guides would be sized for the larger of the two reels. Now you will have something that will work pretty good for a certain range of reels, although might not be optimum for any. Sometimes you just have to do this.

As far as your current dilema, try shimming the seat hood base or reel foot at one end to adjust the spool centerline angle. That should do it.

............................

A client for a custom rod may get a funny look on their face when asked "What reel will you use with this rod"? . That is what I do and for the reason Tom states above, and for the best balance to the rod.
Much of the time balance may be more related to the weight and size of reel for the particular blank, and also the handle configuration and butt length, etc.
Often a similar size reel can be used, but antother thing can happen if the angle off the rotor varies between reels that can change the intersect point and throw things off kilter a bit for optimum casting.

Shimming the reel can usually work and a great idea for the rods you might use and switching reels. For the customer of the rod it's best that they be convinced the rod is 'optimal' for the reel/rod setup you have done for them OR if they are 'reel switchers' to err on the side of
average point a bit further down the blank. This intersect point is not really an absolute, but is a good determining factor for where you should be starting to place the smallest size guides you can get away with (thus weight reduction, better performance, and all that).

Rich
Solyrich Custom Rods.

Thanks for the replies!

This reel is the same size as the Shimano, but it has a rather extreme angle. I bought two on a closeout sale, and they are both like that.

I sent my Shimanos to the factory for servicing, but when they return, these other reels just might be going up on @#$%&! It's too bad, because I like them.

TH