I am getting ready to build on a Batson RDR100H. I am wanting to build a long range spinning rig for catfish or light saltwater or light surf rod, hopefully a crossover rod for all three. I am having trouble with the guide selection. Would the ngc work on a rod that long or should I decrease the amount of guides? I have never built anything over 7' so I,m kinda lost. I have looked at a couple of store rack rods of that length, but they usually have only 5-7 guides. The total handle length will be around 30". I appreciate any help. Thanks.

Good Wraps..
Russell C.
Bastrop,Tx.

Russell you could go th Batsons new web site and take a look at there guide spacing charts. See what there lay out is for a RDR100H

Bill@midwestrodandreel.com
www.midwestrodandreel.com

Thanks Bill. I looked at their guide spacing chart and couldn't find quite what I am looking for. That blank is intended for a different use. The only spacing they have is for a casting set-up. Would that work for spinning as well? I know I'm trying to use the blank outside its intent, I just figured it wouldn't matter that much. I hope anyway..

Good Wraps..
Russell C.
Bastrop,Tx.

Russell; The blank doesn't care what you use it for or how it's rigged. The easiest thing for you to do, is set it up as suggested in the Library, here for spinning rods and stress test it to see that the the line follows the curve of the rod. Then test cast it and adjust your stripper if necessary and go ahead and build the rod.

I am just trying to figure out guide selection mainly. I haven't purchased the guides yet. I am not sure how many I should go with to get the most casting distance out of the 10' spinning rod. Thanks.

Good Wraps..
Russell C.
Bastrop,Tx.

Russell,
If you have some info, like what reel your using, line, shock leader size, etc. We can probably get you pretty close on the guides. It's best to have a few guides, or other components extra than not enough as shipping and handling will eat you alive. Than you'll have some for the next rod.

Russell,
Guide selection and placement is pretty straight forward.

For example, in your case with a 10 foot rod - I might suggest the following. Start with a size 40 stripper guide and work down to a size 8. Sine you want a lot of distance and reasonaly heavy line, you don't want the guides to restrict your casting distance.

I would put the first guide at about 24 inches from the reel and then work down from there. Simply put a good flex in the rod, and either yourself or a helper mark the rod where there is any significant bend. At these points, make sure that you place a guide to load the
blank and carry the line. Actually, with a 30 inch handle - you are reall,y fishing with a rod that is a bit over 7 feet. Then, with the first guide at 2 feet from the handle, you are looking at your first guide about 1/2 way down the blank. I would suspect that about 6 or 7 guides would be plenty of guides to load the blank and carry the line. As long as you have a guide where the blank bends, you are loading the blank and it will all work out fine.

A big mistake that too many rod builders make is to put on too many guides. More guides tend to make the rod tip heavy, as well as place unneeded drag on the line - when you are trying to distance casting.

If you really want to go for distance, and if the blank would accomodate it - it would nice to go with only about 3 guides. Fewer guides, more distance. of course this small number of guides would not load the rod, and you would have troubles when trying to land a fish.

Take care
Roger

Thanks guys. I think i'm gonna go with about 8 guides. 3 sizes 40mm stepping down to 8's. Thanks for the help guys.

Good Wraps..
Russell C.
Bastrop,Tx.