I am hoping to get some guidance on what side of the spine to place my guides. I read you can place on either side as long as there all the same side. I also read one side will give you better casting and less power fighting a fish and the exact opposite for the other side. Is there any truth to this? If so what side of the spine do I put the guides on to get the most casting power and a little less fighting a fish?

Also I can set the blank across smooth rod at each end and it will always roll to the same spot (heave side down) is this an accurate way of finding the spine? Can any one give me some insight or direction?

Thank You
Rob Whitney

Make sure you read the FAQS page on finding the spine. The rolling method you describe will not find the spine, only the natural conclave warp of the blank.

The spine will make little difference in casting accuracy and cannot prevent rod twist. If you want more power, buy a more powerful blank. If you want less power, buy a less powerful blank. The difference between the stiffest and softest axis (and these are rarely 180 degrees apart) is very slight. Not enough to really make any real difference out on the water.

Go ahead and find the spine, but be aware that there is no wrong nor right place to orient it and it won't make much difference either way.

.......

Lots of comments here at RBO Forum Archives under "Spine" or "Spline" or "Orientation" etc. Try a SEARCH after you read TK's article on Spines in the FAQs Page.

One other recent Post & Replies was [www.rodbuilding.org]
Reading that should help solidify your knowledge and help explain, as Tom said, why usually the spine makes little to no difference in rod performnce under actual fishing conditions. Other forces are often stronger than the spine's effect. -Cliff Hall+++

effective spline guide placement ... Joe Baylog ... March 4, 2006
[www.rodbuilding.org] Read the whole Thread.