I'm building a rod for my dad using a spiral wrap. I've got everything set up where I like it, but now I'm not sure if I should underwrap the guides. While looking on the photo page it seemed every 2 foot guide was underwraped. Is this necessary? What are the advantages. This is going to be spec and red fish rod used primarly in the bays. It is a 7.5' rod. Do I need to underwrap or is wraping the feet enough?
Thanks.

HI PAUL,
My 2cents, an underwrap can give a more attractive overall job with 2 foot guide. I see the rod is not a big one , 7'6"
but you didn't mention the strength or action , lbs. line. But I do like to have that cushion between the rod surface and the metal feet.

Dave von Doehren
PRRODS......If man built it , man can fix it.and if man built it man can break it !

There is no reason to underwrap guides other than for cosmetic purposes. On lighter rods, the additional weight of thread and epoxy can make a difference in regards to some measure of lost performance (see RodMaker Volume 8 #3 for more scientific measurements proving this).

If your guide feet are nicely prepped, and have no sharp burrs on the bottom, underwrapping is not necessary. If, however, you want to added look of a second color there, go right ahead or consider doing false underwraps where the wrap is only made between the guide feet instead of all along and underneath them.

....

Hi Paul
I will chime in with Dave here. An under wrap can add a lot of beauty to a rod. And I like Dave use underwraps on my ocean gear. Call me silly buy I like a buffer between metal and blank.

But Is it necessary. No. I am sure others will let you know why.

Bottom line is Do what feels right to you.

Doc Ski

I only build freshwater fly and bass casting-spinning. I don't use underwraps as I feel the added weight does make a difference on these type rods. I also don't use double foot guides on the mid and tip areas for the same reason.

Yep, that's why they're called custom rods!!

Putter
Williston, ND

Now lets not bring up CP, or world war 3 will erupt.

Cheap blanks, solid fiberglass = no underwrap. Expensive blanks = underwrap . I do it to protect the blanks.

Lou

Just out of curiousity, what are you protecting it from??

As custom builders I think we do not give enough credit to the manufacturers of rods and blanks. If underwrapping were to actually protect the blank and possibly keep even a small percentage from breaking I think they would provide instructions with the blanks telling us to underwrap all guides. There would be no reason for them not to do this if it would save them money on warranty replacements in the long run. For that reason I see no reason to underwrap blanks and would only do it on very heavy rods and only if you just like the look of it.

It's not often that I do full underwraps anymore, but I like the look so when using double foot guides I almost always use false underwraps.

Being a underwrap person, and having fought this battle many times. I will stay out of it this time, except to say that the extra time it takes on heavy rods is worth it. John Butterfield