Being new to the rod building,(I've been building for around a year) I have heard a lot about spiral wrapping. My question is, what exactly is spiral wrapping, better to wrap to the left, to the right?? I'm kinda lost on the subject. Done a search here and didn't find much.

Is there really a need for this? I use mainly casting rigs and have always fished with all eyes straight, never spiraled.

Any help would be appreciated and a direction to find out more information would be great!

Thanks in advance,

Lee Smith

All casting rods with guides on top will attempt to twist towards the direction of load (the water). They are inherently unstable.

Putting the guides on the bottom of the rod makes the rod inherently stable. Fly rods and spinning rods don't twist with a fish on the line.

Thus the point of spiral wrapping a casting rod. Do a search here on "spiral wrapping" and you should turn up enough material to keep you busy for a month's worth of nights.

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

When you do a search, make you select ALL DATES

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

I would recommend rotating the guides to the same side that you have your reel handle. That way, if you lay the rod down, you are not banging up the transition guide.

Thanks Guys! Good info! Is there any spacing differences, as compared to traditional? I only use Micro's BTW

After searching correctly, I have found plenty to read LOL. Thanks again!

I do still wonder with Micros will there be a spacing change?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/03/2011 08:01PM by lee smith.

You may find when you static test that you can use one or two less running guides depending on the blank.

Bill - willierods.com

Lee -

I spiral all rods fished with the tip up (worms, jigs, shaky heads). Rods for fishing moving baits I wrap all guides on top (crank bait, spinnerbait, rattle trap). I got this idea from an old, grumpy rodbuilder. Works very well for me - and I greatly appreciate his help and advice!

Todd

Thanks Todd!!

Why the difference? I would think if it's great when fighting a big fish with a worm/jig it would work just as well with crank baits. What is the reasoning behind wrapping on top for the cranks?

Thanks Again,

Lee

Lee, I build a spiral the same as Todd. When casting, such as a crankbait, I like the way the line flows off of the rod better, with the guides on top. When I am flipping, or fishing plastics and jigs, with the rod held at the 10:00 position, the spiral is a real good setup. To me, it is more in the castin type baits, I like the guides on top.However, I like the way the spiral eliminates the wrist twist tendency.... when fighting the fish. I do use mine for some casting baits also. After you build one, experiment, see what works for you!

Spacing, I space the guides close to the spacing for a regular spaced bc rod, but I pay close attention to the transition guides. I use 3, counting the top butt guide, not a simple spiral. A lot depends on the blank. i like to static place the guides, to mimic the bend of the rod, while making sure the transition is smooth, not rubbing the blank with the line.

Look at what is happening in the micro guide builds. All on top, with smaller micro guides. This is a great setup for the casting of the cranks and that type of baits. There are some guys on here that are doing some great builds with micros. They are for a seperate application than the spiral. Check the search for micro guide info.
Good luck!

Kyle Robinson