First time building a travel blank so I could use some advice on building. Blank is an Amtac at844-3 3 piece 7' long. Reel supplied to me is a penn550s with an outside spool diameter of 55 mm. Rear grip is 10". I tried measuring for the new concept method of guide placement and the 27x method places the choker guide about 8" from the tip. I personally think the reel is abit to big for the blank. Any advice as far as guide sizes and spacing would be apreciated.
Thanks,
Tony Fialkowski

Don't think being a travel rod changes the spacing much if any. The library article will help with the rest. Line size, shock leader use and test casting will tell you what works as far as guides.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/08/2010 10:09PM by Spencer Phipps.

Where the choker guides falls in relation to the tip of the rod is not an issue. The choker guide, nor the reel nor the line, cares where the tip of the rod is. Forget about that. Once the line reaches the choker guide, it's under full control and on a straight path. It makes no difference if the tip is 8 inches away, or 80 inches away.

A Penn 550 is a large reel for a rod of that power. But it will work. What line size and type does your customer intend to use?

............

Some ideas on guides for travel rods:Go for the toughest frames you can get and also the smallest that will work.
Titanium is good and never an overkill on travel rods.
Travel rods have a lot of stresses put on them: Every time that rod goes in or out a tube, suitcase or backpack the guides hang on something.The tips jam on things when being put in.
I tell the folks i build them for to use a flat gun case to carry them in: it just works way better than any tube:simply because the rods go in or out easier. One to carry that amtack you have there starts at < $20 at BPS and is often carry on cabin legal ( a very big deal on overseas trips !) Another plus:you can fit three rods in it and a few spare spools for spinning reels.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/09/2010 08:10AM by Lou Auret.

Tony,
You may or may not be able to do this, but when possible when building multi piece rods, I try to be able to use the guide layout so that I have a guide wrapped at the rod joints. This takes care of rod reinforcement and guide wrapping at the same time.
Sometimes this is possible and other times not.

Take care
Roger

Thanks for the input. The rod is going to be used in the Florida saltwater inshore & backountry. Line will probably be 20 lb. test powerpro. Guides are more than likely to be Amtac HLG's or Fuji BSVLG.
Thanks,
Tony

Yes, the reel will work and used to be common for the area. Times have changed and he could do much better for litte more money. BPS has a sale "at a too good to be true price" on daiwa bradia's for $150. That on line @#$%& place had them for $300. Do ask for a raincheck because I doubt they will be in stock.

IMHO it is twice the reel in half the size and this coming from someone who only bought penns once upon a time.