I just built my first 130 lb class rod. It has big foot guides, and it came out real nice but..........

It looks like the weight of the guides made the rod slightly curved in the direction of the spine. I didn't notice when it was in the power wrapper or even when I applied the finish, but now that it is done, I was looking at it and it is slightly curved. It shouldn't hurt the rod, but i was wondering if this is normal? Should I pre-load the guides somehow to stop this from happening on the next?

The curve is in the direction that the rod will bend when it is being used, so it should be no problem.

With that heavy of a rod I doubt that the guides caused it to bend. It is just probably a natural curve in the blank. Like you said it shouldn't be a problem.

What blank was it?

Heavy offshore trolling rods, particulary in glass, are better off when you disregard the spine and build on the straightest (stiffest) axis. Sight down the rod, position any natural curve so that the belly is down, and the tip and butt are up. Build it that way.

Remember, twist is a function of the guides, not the spine. All offshore trolling rods will attempt to twist under load from a fish, but the gimball prevents that from happening.



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The blank is a Seeker 660XXH rate 50-130. The blank appeared to be straight when I got it with the exception of one very small crook near the tip. I bought two of the same blanks and both have a minor crook near the tip, so their Mandrel must be flawed..... E-Glass.

I was thinking maybe each foot progessively pulled the blank as I wrapped it. It is a very slight curve and it is progressive not in one area. I know it was a little tough to wrap due to the weight of th eguides. The wrapper would have trouble starting because it was pulling the weight of those big guides and if I got heavy with my foot it would vibrate the table pretty bad.

Seems so far no one has experience that phenomina, so it must be something else. I am pretty sure it was not curved when I bought it. Thanks for the info about disregarding the spine. It seems that if you want the stiffest straightest axis you would find the spine and turn it sideways to gane a stiffer position as long as the blank is straight.

thanks for the info...... keep it coming......

I built a rod out of the same blank and had the same experience. That blank has VERY fast action, hence the term "long range stand-up". So just the weight of the Aftco guides that I used on it give it a slight bend. This is not one of those "pool cue" blanks, it has a very soft tip which allows it to bend under the weight of the guides. Mine has brought in many big fish and it's a heck of a blank. Enjoy it.

The stiffest axis does not relate to the spine in any certain way. Sometimes the spine is 170 degrees from the stiffest axis, other times it's 40 degrees from the stiffest axis. Remember, the spine as we experience the effect in a rod blank is not a thing - it is an effect.

The weight of the guides will indeed cause a rod to deflect slightly - the rod has to carry that weight. This is another good reason to put any natural curve so that the tip points upward. The weight of the guides often brings the rod back to "straight."

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