I decided on a blank and got my new reel as a birthday present yesterday. Now comes the learning curve. I have never spiral wrapped a rod and wanted to give it a try on my new striper fishing outfit. Any suggestions on what guides (particularly size and numbers of them) I should be using and approximate spacing. The blank is a Batson RCLB70L and the reel is an Avet SX. Also what axises should I be placing the guides to get the proper distribution of power.

Thanks again! I know I can count on you guys to give the most trusted information available.

As long as you have the Rainshadow blank, which is a great choice, why not try the Alps guides, also from Batson Enterprises. The XN series look good and offer a range of frame and ring materials. Also SS316 stainless, good for salt water use. The LXN's are a bit lighter, but a good choice. As for the spiral, you'll have to figure which method you want to use to get the guides around. Thats the key, just get them around. I have a bunch of spiral wrapped rods but still think that the three guide transition is alot better looking than the other methods. Personal choice. Start with the butt guide, using the Avet on the seat. Then just get the guides around using one or two to get to the bottom. You could put your transition guide, (the first one on the bottom) at the "choke point" or cut off point, where the blank makes it's most flex under load. Sounds simple and it is. Ahhh, simple? You could use the simple spiral method as well. Do a search for the simple spiral, it's as easy as it sounds.

Derrek...is the avet sx left or right hand retrieve??? on non level wind reels you can set up your stripper guide and transition guide to stack the line to one side of spool as you reel... you might wonder why you would do this on purpose..but by doing so you only have to level one side of the spool manually and the guides will pull the line back to the other side of the spool..make sense? Just a little tid bit I learned from this site...just wish I came across it earlier.


Dave

A few suggestions Derrek,

The Avet SX is a small reel so you won't need a very big butt guide. A #12 or #10 is where I would start. I think the Batson website has the spacing chart for all of their blanks. Check the Batson website & forum. There are also 2 articles in the library section here (see link in black bar above) both having to do with guide placement. Do yourself a favor and don't just rely on the spacing chart. Use it as a starting point and make your adjustments from there per the article in the Library Section of this board.

I also highly suggest getting the special RodMaker issue on CD that has much information on guides. All rod types are discussed with specific details on guide sizing and types, spiral lay-outs included as well as an article by Rich Forhan. An awesome referance source for any rod builder.

On my website there is a "Degree Wheel" created my Mark Griffin at @#$%& that is an aid to guide placement for 3 of the popular spiral wrap methods. I think it's on the Misc. page..

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

Check out the Simple Spiral (topic search or Rod Maker mag). I love it and it is sooooo easy!

Les

Derrek, I built a striper rod on that exact blank -- it's a wonderful blank for live-lining spot or croaker to bass (I built mine for my once-a-year charter trip in the Cape May Rips). I used a larger (and cheaper) reel than you (Penn 330 GTI), but otherwise the setup is very similar to what it sounds like you're looking for.

I used the simple spiral, and it worked well. I would actually highly recommend the simple spiral for this kind of live bait rod, because the blank is fast -- extra-fast, really -- and you won't have to resolve the most difficult aspect of of building a spiral, which is configuring the transition guides in an area where the blank has a lot of flex (almost all of the flex in this blank is in the first half). Figure out the size of your running guides, and the size of your stripper -- and Ray is right about the stripper; you won't need a big one -- and you'll be most of the way there.

I don't have my striper rod at hand, but email me, and when I get home I'll send you the details of the spacing and configuration I did. It won't work exactly for you -- you'll still want to make sure you configure things for your blank, not mine -- but it will give you a starting point if you don't know where to start.

Whatever you do, stick with a spiral wrap on this rod. On this kind of rod, a spiral is a natural, and once you've determined a good configuration, you'll be glad you went with a spiral. My last trip in the Rips, I whipped some decent fish -- over 30 lbs. -- very easily, while guys with heavier conventional rods had to work a whole lot harder. It's worth spending a bit more time getting a good spiral setup, because the finished rod will be a superior fish-fighting tool.

RodMaker Volume 8 #5 has an article on Live Bait blanks and includes a Simple Spiral setup for a 7 foot live bait blank. It includes handle dimensions and guide sizing and spacing. Just something else you can consult.

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Thanks guys for all of the valuable information as always. Tom, I will be in touch to get that copy . . . and Chris I will be shooting you an e-mail shortly. Thanks again!