I was contemplating a spinning rod with the blank off-set (not centered) as I have seen in some of the photos posted here. I had thought about it before, but seeing some other rods built that way brought it back to mind. SInce the blank is a bit further from the spool do we need to adjust the 27X factor? Or is the small change/shift in blank relative to reel enough to get concerned about?
From those who have built such a rod, any feedback? Did it do what you wanted? Or was it just a novelty with no real difference in casting or sensitivity?
Thanks!
I have also wondered if off-setting the blank would help with having better contact to the blank with your hand / finger on a baitcaster rod for posssible increased sensitivity.
Andy K

You need to start by reading Steve Gardner's excellent article in the Volume 10 #4 issue of RodMaker. Handle to blank offset is fully discussed there and addresses many of the questions you've asked.

As far as the 27X factor for choker guide location - you'll have to try it for yourself. I have no doubt it will still work, but you may find that it will do even better with a little tweaking. All the figures used to arrive at that factor were taken from rods that did not have the blank offset in the handle.

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I would suggest staying with the 27x.
Depending on your blank, you are talking about 3/16 to 38 vertical clearances. This provides additional clearance between line and blank. But your choke point should be in about the same place.

Some may consider it a novelty, but I consider one of the best things ever done to improve performance on spinning rods, and based on client feed back I would say they agree.

I have played around with this on bait casters, but there are some other things to consider, and other things that don’t make a deference like in the spinning handle.
The rod is held differently.
Stability issues are different
Reels on top
Realistically the blank has to be offset towards the bottom or you loose some contact with the blank.
Seats are smaller so unless you went with an oversized seat or some other type of mounting arrangement you would be talking a very small amount offset.

I have one in the works at this moment, but for different reasons then I offset the spinning real handles.

Rod Maker issue Tom is refering to should answer most of your questions.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/03/2009 08:24AM by Steve Gardner.

Not sure if I understand this offset. Got a picture. Tried a search, nothing came up.

Bill - willierods.com

Look at your cover of the issue mentioned above also some pictures inside.
Some other people have posted pictures in the photo section. But I don't know under what heading they are posted.

Go here:

[rodmakermagazine.com]

Look at cover volume 10 #4. I think you can see it well enough to get the idea.

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OK, I was thinking of the offset casting reel with the blank above the seat with the line going under the blank and could not figure how on a spinner.

Bill - willierods.com

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Here is the start for one.

Would it not be better if the blank was in contact with the real seat. More sensitive.

Bill - willierods.com

The blank will be in full contact with the entire length of the reel seat.

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Oh, Lookin at the link Andy had it did not look like it was .

Bill - willierods.com

That was one I found from a quick look at the photo section to show the idea. The blank would be in contact with the reel seat along either the top (for a spinner) or else the bottom (for a baitcaster). I thought putting the blank in contact with the reel seat would better transmit vibrations and maybe allow better contact to the blank with the users hand / fingers. Mostly I use baitcasters, my friends are split. Some use spinners and some like baitcasters. I guess I need to mock up a baitcaster. I haven't really got a good vision of how to do the grip area so it looks good yet. I would be using a blank exposed or split type reel seat. Maybe starting with something like the AmTak SCRTH and make a skeleton form it so I can have a trigger.