Hey guys, when spining a float rod especially a long rod with light action...Woudl you place the guides on the inside of the curve or place the guides on the natural droop when holding the rod parallel to the ground. What happens most of the time on long light rods, is they droop due to gravity and the weight of them. However, the spine of the rod does not always match this droop. Just want some good advice.

I've been placing the guides on the underside of the droop. When the rod is bent, I have no "torque" or twisting of the rod when playing a fish.

paul

Spine has nothing to do with rod twist. Guide placement has everything to do with it.

I normally sight down the blank and find the straightest axis. There will be a natural curve or warp in most cases. I put the tip and butt "up" and the belly "down" and mount the guides accordingly.

...........

I have done both sides of spine. I have even tried it on the same blank to see what the difference is. There is a difference but not a huge one. A larger factor IMOP is the about of finish is used and number of guides. When using 13 gudes and tip for a 13 ft rod, I have found that adding 1 extra coat of finish could make the rod whippier or less finish could make it stiffer. Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Dan Colville

TOM..
Thanks Tom, I'll try that next time.

Dan..
I agree 100% about the number of guides used and amount of finish used. More of all that = more wight and more "whip". In the past float that I have built, I use one less guide per foot. 14' = 13 guides, 17' = 16 guides etc. And light coats of finish too. The next guides I'm gonna try are the Recoils..pretty nice.

Thnaks gents..

Paul