I have some graphite rods both spinning and casting that seem to have taken on a twist over the seasons. I know I put the guides on straight when I built them because I spend a lot of time doing that. But now when I sight down them the guides are not exactly in line. They sort of spiral or turn as you go up the rod to the tip. The rods aren't bent or warped but more like they twisted a little over the years. The tip top is no longer aligned with the reel seat or butt guide. I'd say these are now off less than 10 degrees but more than 5 degrees. I just wonder if the internal structure of rod blanks tends to shift or change over the years with use or temperature change.

Fiberglass rods were bad to take a "set" if you left them leaning in a corner. Graphite isn't prone to the same thing but I understand that you're talking about a twist around the center axis, not a set or warp. At least I'll assume that.

I really don't know why it happens, but after looking at a few of my own rods I would say that at least some seem to have twisted by a few degrees over the years. The further out towards the tip you go, the greater the amount of twist is. I can think of several reasons that this might happen, nearly all having to do with the internal stresses that might be present due to the way most rod blanks are manufactured. But I'd have to give it more though - I'm just not really sure. But yes, it does appear to happen at least to some degree in some rods.

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

I'll be darned! I just went and checked some of mine and yes some do seem to have twisted as you move up towards the tip. I can't believe that I would have put the guides on in corkscrew fashion!!! But that's what some of them look like now. Not very bad, but more than enough to notice.

I know my back is doing that, too...

Putter
Williston, ND

Its the evolution of the "spiral wrap". Darwin was right.

Mark Janeck
Custom Rods, Campbellville, Ontario

I think this is more pronounced with baitcasters than with spinning rods.

This is probably due to the twist the rod suffers when cranking a baitcaster which is placed on top of the rod. Baitcaster rods then to suffer a torgue, twist, when the reel is cranked due to the cranking action. Spinning reels handing below the rod does not seem to have this problem. Hence the twist in rods after sustained usage.

My 0.2 cents worth. I stand corrected to avoid arguments on this.

Ding