Ok Got and read twice back issues covering new concept. Not all that new was doing something very similar before I stopped building. Am ordering back issue that covers spiral wraps and also BI's of Rodcrafter covering same subject. Want to get as many different views as i can reasonably find. In the afore mentioned articles is the issue of guide placement relative to the spine addressed? I would think that this is of the utmost importance. Also wonder if left or righthanded fisherman makes a difference especially considering the direction of the "Jump" for the spine. I have noted that rods up to 8ft are being built using the spiral but that they're flippin/pitchin rods. Has anyone built a surf rod using this system? From what little I've been able to read using a shockleader could prove to be a problem because of the knot unless braid to braid is used or braid to something like 80lb Spectron so that the running line can be inserted inside and either whiped or cemented. Lastly how do I locate the archives for this site? All commentary will be deeply appreciated. Warren

The beauty of the spiral wrap is that there is no incorrect position for the spine. The guides running along the bottom of the rod result in automatic stability. If I want a bit more power for fish fighting, I put the guides opposite the stiffest axis. If I want the rod a bit softer like I might want on a live bait rod I put them opposite the spine. Either way the rod is 100% stable. Or I can position the spine to give me the best casting attributes but rest assured that the rod will never twist because those guides are on the bottom and the line pressure will hold it there. Just about anyway you cut it I think we can say that guides belong on the bottom of all fishing rods.
The July-August 1999 RodMaker had the best thing I have yet read on rod spine and rod stability. But again, with the spiral wrap you are free to do whatever you need to do with it.

I don't know about any jump for the spine. It was my understanding the spine was where the rod did NOT want to jump. The place where it wanted to come to rest and stay put.

This is just my way, but I cast with the reel handle facing up. That's how I was taught. So I put the spine so that it is facing down to the ground when I put the reel handle up. That would make it 90 degrees to the guides in either the guides up or guides down [spiral style] set up. It works well for me and I have never had any problem with rod twist particularly when using the spiral wrap system. I now use the O'Quinn style 100% of the time on my casting rods and have made them up to 9 feet long and for up to 17 lb line for surf use. I think you would want to have the guides large enough to pass any shock leader knots. Me, I'm not using any so it's a non-issue.

For the archives use the 'search' toggle at the top of this message board and just type in whatever you are looking for. It's a quick way to find previous info on all the stuff. I often print some out and keep it in a scrap book sorted by topic. Comes in handy when you need to reference something.

I like the spine in line with the casting plane. If you cast in the same plane as the reel handle put the spine there. So yes that makes it 90 degress off the guide position if you cast overhand with the reel handle up, or sidearm with the reel handle horizontal. The spiral wrap will keep the rod stable in a fight so you get the best of both worlds; best casting distance and accuracy, and stability for the fish fight. Hard to beat.

iv built a 12ft surf rod with the spiral wrap and used big enough guides so leader runs through guides ok a pleasure to fish with.