Hi Everyone

I have got a buddy of mine who wants me to re condition 2 Saltwater Big Game trolling Rods, 30/80lb stand up. Now i have been told and i have noticed on his rods that there is wraps underneath the guide feet which are to protect the rod blank when under heavy loads.
I am a fly rod builder and this is a bit new to me but i did have a play with it once and i had trouble with the threads pulling into each other when i tried to put the second set of wraps on that hold the guide feet in place. Somone once mentioned that to achive a good finish with the wraps i need to to use two different size threads.

Questions.

1) Which size threads should i use.

2) Which size goes on first

I use Gudebrod Nylon Thread in 100yrd spools and the only sizes they come in is A, D and E.

Some expert advice would be greatly appreciated

Regards


Rob Hardaway

I use size A as an underwrap and size D as an overwrap and on the pound class you mentioned I double the overwrap...wrap it twice. If I use trim bands I use size A.
Good Luck,
Rick

You can also try putting on a thin layer of epoxy to the underwrap and let it dry -BEFORE -putting on the overwrap!

You have several options. As Mr. Rick says, A for the underwrap and D for the guide wraps. If I wrap a rod that isn't going to be used over 50# or so I normally don't double overwrap. If the intended purpose is 60# or more I do my first guide wrap in A and then my second guide wrap in D. Personally I have no problem wrapping an A guide wrap over my A underwrap.

You need to be sure the underwrap is packed tight & burnished. This will aid greatly in wraping A over A. If you still encounter problems, all you need to do is apply a coat of epoxy over the underwraps & allow it to cure for a few hours before wrapping the guides. I commonly use epoxy or Permagloss for this. If you use Permagloss, be sure to allow 24 hours before applying any epoxy over it. I tend to have problems with the fumes bubbling up my epoxy top coat. All in all you shouldn't have any problems. Best of luck!

Capt. Rick are those bonitas biting down your way yet? Hope to see you around the cape some this fall when the footballs move in.

Jay / Harkers Island

I use Gudebrod A thread for all wraps on my saltwater rods and have never had a failure in the several hundred wrapped so far. I do finish each layer of thread with a thin coat of finish. The use of A thread will result in a thinner overall wrap than if you use D thread(looks like rope to me) which I prefer.