I found a really interesting picture of line flowing out on what looks like a conventional baitcasting rod with progressive guide spacing.

[sports.espn.go.com]

It is interesting how the line comes straight off of each guide until it reaches the next guide which is smaller, then it has to make a turn to get down to the new guide size. The end result is a line path resembling a stair step pattern with the line having to make a hard turn at each guide. Seeing this should help validate those of us who have seen excellent performance with rods having a drastically reduced number of guide sizes on them including rods with only a single size guide for the entire length of the rod.

Fewer guide sizes results in a straighter and smoother line path.

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Very interesting - that must have been one high speed camera and film setting.

The cameraman was also very very lucky to catch it at that point.

I wish they would do a film loop in motion!

Instaneous straight line - no telling where it is in the next milisecond!

Mike why do you think you will never find the correct place for an open ended hook keeper in front of the seat!

Line wanders all over the the place on rods with larger guides!

This is what sells all on top all same size micro to anyone that has the chance to observe.!



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/21/2010 06:40PM by Bill Stevens.

Yes, very interesting! Thanks for posting Mike!

I have had good luck putting open hook keepers in front of the reel by putting it as close to the reel as possible, I trim my reel seat threads to the minimum and put the keeper on with only about 1-2mm gap between the end and the reel seat. If it is a treble hook rod I put the keeper on top so the lure and hooks are on the same side as the reel and less likely to get hung up in the carpet, if it is a single hook rod I put the keeper on bottom so salt in the plastic bait or trailer isn’t in contact with the reel.

Mike another thought - at this point no telling what guides are on the rod in the picture.

They now have everthing in the book - from all micro same size to - transition micro - to all six single foot on top - they are in a mad scramble to test stuff for their manufactures for final field test before ICAST.

Things are in transition!

This is going to be a fun ride for all custom builders that keep up with the times!

I stopped putting HKs in front of the reel seat once I had two spinnerbait rods break above the handle... both breaks were where the head of the spinnerbait sat against the blank.

I recommend all clients to hook to the top of the reel or have a split grip and put the hookkeep behind the handle. Another good reason for a split grip.

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In my area guys are unwilling to try something that doesn't look/feel "proper" for the intended job at hand. That is a nice pic to help convince folks that what "seems proper" just might be wrong.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Looks to me like the guide ring size is good -- but it may have to be a higher frame ??

As the line comes off the real - it is rubbing on the TOP of the butt guide A little resistance and that is what happens ??

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/21/2010 06:39PM by bill boettcher.

It is also possible that the picture was snapped at just the right moment of downward thrust and bait release.

So that what is actually being seen is the end of the billowing effect of wind resistance on the line during downward motion, at just the moment of thumb release, right before enough forward momentum of the bait has the chance to pull the line tight again.

Kind of how the wind catches a stack of sails and yet the mast is straight, with the sails being pulled back to the mast at each tie down point.

The water spray would indicate that the lure has already been cast (and probably landed) and that you are seeing over-run.
i.e the line is till travelling faster than the lure so it's piling up between the guides.
You'd probably see the same thing no matter what guides/spacing is used.

This is a very interesting picture. I blew it up on the computer to take a better look. It does indeed look as if this cast was caught imediately after the release as Steve Gardener describes. Further more, I think that the picture indicates as Bill Boettcher suggests that a taller guide frame could be beneficial. My own opinion would suggest to me that as well as a taller framed guide, the actual spacing of the guides could be improved. I also think that the Fuji "k" type guides especially the stripper, might help improve the line flow by allowing a less obtuse angle of between the braid and the guide. Just my gut feelings on this.

Bill - just eliminating one potential issue (although see your point about creating #2).

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