I'm preparing to build my 4th rod- a 6.5' rod for MN walleyes.
I'm interested in opinions of the thread size for guide wrapping.
I've used size A on my past rods, but lately I've been noticing a lot of
people recommending size D for just about everything, save for ultralites.
I guess I don't see the benefit to a thicker thread here, a time saver with less wraps?
Comments/opinions will be appreciated.

I wouldn't use it on anything but heavy saltwater rods, not even sure I'd use it if I underwrapped and finished my underwraps before putting the guides on. The wraps look coarser to me. G Loomis and some other factories use B thread on their rods.

Doug,
I use A on everything, even heavy duty catfish rods. I don't even have any D thread. It will save you time in wrapping, but personally I don't think it looks very good at all. It will take more wear and abuse than A, but if an average walleye rod is taking the amount of abuse that would require D, you are going to have bigger problems than wrap wear to worry about. Plus it adds that much more weight to your wraps, not something you want on this type of rod.

I never use anything but A, although I don't do heavy salt stuff. I do primarily walleye and musky and always use A, no underwraps and single foot guides (as small as I can get away with) with the exception that I sometimes use a double foot as a butt guide on Bumper wrapped musky rods.


Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

For GUDEBROD Brand of REGULAR Nylon Thread:
Size 2/0: 8 threads / millimeter x 1.8# = 160# per cm-band
Size A: 6 threads / millimeter x 2.7# = 155# per cm-band
Size D: 4 threads / millimeter x 7.4# = 285# per cm-band
Size E: 3 threads / millimeter x 11.6# = 350# per cm-band

From: TITLE: "Gudebrod Thread Table: Strength & Weight of Guide Wraps for Size 2/0 - E". For general reference, a Table of Calculated Strengths and Weights of UNFINISHED Gudebrod Thread Wraps for Sizes 2/0-E, for Silk, Regular Nylon, NCP and HT Metallics, assuming a thread wrap bandwidth of 1 cm, around a rod blank of circumference of 1 cm (OD = 1/Pi = 3.18 mm), is available at: [www.rodbuilding.org]
Calculated values, not direct "in-situ" measurements.
-Cliff Hall+++, Gainesville, FL-USA*****

I like "C" for cobia, blackfin and mackeral sticks. It seems the best tradeoff for looks versus strength.

Try some B size thread. Made by National Tackle. That could be a little different for you. National makes the B size.

Toll Free 866-285-0673 for any info.

Pete
ACK Fishing & Tackle

For GUDEBROD Brand of NCP ("No Color Preserver") Nylon Thread:
Size A: 6 threads / millimeter x 2.2# = 125# per cm-band
Size C: 4 threads / millimeter x 4.6# = 175# per cm-band
Size D: 3 threads / millimeter x 5.1# = 155# per cm-band

Notice that the WEAKEST Nylon Thread in ALL Sizes is the NCP, and that the Size D of NCP is NOT any stronger (and may even be weaker) than the Size C.

For GUDEBROD Brand of TRIMAR Nylon Thread:
Size C: 4 threads / millimeter x 4.5# = 175# per cm-band

For GUDEBROD Brand of HT-METALLIC Sheathed Nylon-Core Thread:
Size A: 7 threads / millimeter x 3.5# = 235# per cm-band
Size D: 4 threads / millimeter x 8.0# = 310# per cm-band

Notice that the Gudebrod METALLICS have higher theoretical wrap strengths than the SAME SIZE (A or D) of REGULAR or NCP Nylon Thread.

For GUDEBROD Brand of REGULAR Nylon Thread:
Size 2/0: 8 threads / millimeter x 1.8# = 160# per cm-band
Size A: 6 threads / millimeter x 2.7# = 155# per cm-band
Size D: 4 threads / millimeter x 7.4# = 285# per cm-band
Size E: 3 threads / millimeter x 11.6# = 350# per cm-band

AGAIN, Since most testers who make such a claim around here at the RBO Forum say that it takes over 35 pounds of force applied DIRECTLY to the guide ring to seriously dislodge a guide from its footing under a properly wrapped line guide, then EVEN the WEAKEST Thread (NCP Size A) has a SAFETY MARGIN of over 3 TIMES that failure point (125# / 35#).

Typically, the Size A Threads have a Safety Margin of over 4 to 1,
and the Size E Regular Thread has a Safety Margin of 10 to 1.

From: TITLE: "Gudebrod Thread Table: Strength & Weight of Guide Wraps for Size 2/0 - E". For general reference, a Table of Calculated Strengths and Weights of UNFINISHED Gudebrod Thread Wraps for Sizes 2/0-E, for Silk, Regular Nylon, NCP and HT Metallics, assuming a thread wrap bandwidth of 1 cm, around a rod blank of circumference of 1 cm (OD = 1/Pi = 3.18 mm), is available at: [www.rodbuilding.org]
Calculated values, not direct "in-situ" measurements.
-Cliff Hall+++, Gainesville, FL-USA*****

I have done 80# IGFA chair rods triple wrapped with all size A thread. No problems so far and you get some nice flat wraps w/o all that build-up of thread.

Jay

Cliff, you are nothing if not very thorough. I apprecaite all of your information. Thanks.