Found this in a recent issue of a popular fishing magazine:

"Despite the complex materials and components that go into modern fishing rods, a simple trick will stiffen one's action if you find yourself in a pinch. Johnny Poff, a developer and engineer at All Pro rods, has 20 year's experience in the rod-making business. All Pro and other rod companies use this technique when fine-tuning prototype rods. "You can use several 2" by 1/4" strips of duct tape to stiffen the action," he says. "You can make a medium action rod medium-heavy pretty easily by placing a strip between guides No. 3, 4, 5, and 6."

So, following this thinking through, would making permanent "wraps" in these areas work in stiffening a rod? Interesting concept that I've never heard of.

Cheers

Walt

First of all, he's not talking about action - he's talking about power.

Anything you wrap around the blank will soften it, not stiffen it. Even if you could stiffen that short area, the weight added would have the effect of softening the rod, reducing the power and slowing the response and recovery. For many years there was a common misconception that underwraps would stiffen a rod. In reality they softened it. You can prove this to yourself by trying.

Now what he's attempting to do is put something on the rod that requires that it be stretched when the rod is flexed - not at all what you'd be doing by making a thread wrap there. The idea he's using is to add something that actually resists or impedes rod flex. The strips would be placed lengthwise between the guides, not around the blank. I haven't tried it but as long as the weight added is overcome by the amount of stiffness or resistance it adds, it could indeed work to some small extent. But you'd also be talking about something that I don't think you'd ever make a permanent part of your finished rod.

If you wanted to give it a try, take any rod you have now and run the CCS ERN measurement on it. Then add the strips and take the measurement again. It'd be just that easy to see if it works for you.

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Thanks for the reply - I was hoping you would!

It's nothing I would consider but found it interesting. The picture in the magazine showed the tape wrapped around the rod, not lengthwise, but that could have been a misunderstanding by the magazine folks. LOL, there is no duct tape on my rod bench!

Walt

Are you saying that the strips are wound around the blank instead of being placed lengthwise?

The only way that would have any effect would be if it could manage to constrict the natural ovaling when the rod is flexed. But now you're back to the thread idea. Give it a try but I seriously doubt you'll effectively stiffen the rod. The CCS measurement has enough resolution to record even the slightest change in power. So you can try it for yourself.

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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/30/2010 05:20PM by Tom Kirkman.

Walt,

Notice he said "place a strip" not wind or wrap a strip.

I think my interpretation is the only one that makes any sense. Wrapping a band of tape around the blank just isn't going to do anything other than add a little weight.

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I agree - along with the article, they had a picture and the tape was not wrapped lengthwise but around. Page 4, Bassmasters, July/August 2010. A test is the only answer, as always.

Cheers

Walt

How does someone "in the rod making business for 20yrs" not know how to use the correct terms for rod characteristics?

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

Depends on exactly what part of the business you've been in.

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Ok now I'm completely confused...and yes I'm new to rodbuilding.

In Dale Clemens book (from what I understand) if you put heavy double footed guides with longer wraps it will stiffen the rod? If you want to make the rod softer (bend more) you put smaller guides and make the wraps as short as possible.

Or am I misunderstanding something.