I am building a pair of Mag Bass MHX 843 blanks. Question is should I spiral wrap? If so does somebody have an idea on spacing? I have only spiraled one rod a 10' salmon rod and it took me forever to get the spacing correct. Thanks guys.

Eric,
I think it really depends on how the rods are going to be used.
For example if the rods are going to be used for fishing jerk baits, which is a tip down jerk style fishing I would suggest that you use a conventional wrap.

But, if you are fising with a top up style so the bulk of your fishing will be lifting the tip, rathern then pushing the tip down - the spiral wrap should be just fine.

With respect to spacing. Start with the same spacing as if you were using a conventional wrap and then adjust from there. Either add or subtract guides and adjust guide orientation and up and down the rod to keep the rod properly loaded during both the cast, retreive, as well as fighting a fish.

Good luck
Roger

Sorry the rods will be used for spinner baits, working plastic, jigs.

Roger,
What is the reasoning behind an on top build for tip down?

Eric,

I'll have several spiraled rods at the gathering. If you want, we can discuss the couple of methods I've used and the details of how/why I do it. It will be a little easier with the rods in hand. Basically, I rely on the static test to tell me where to put the guides, and spiral around the blank more slowly than some methods. The resulting rod will have some torque in the butt section, but on bass rods, it isn't that big of a deal.

You could spiral one and not the other, then you will be able to make some great comparisons for yourself.

Thomas,

Where does the line spend most of its time when the rod tip is pointing down and towards the lure? Where does it spend most of its time during a tip up presentation, i.e. T-rig or skirted jig?

Joe

Thomas,
I am suggesting this, because this is what my clients have requrested of me when I build their rods.

i.e. I made the mistake of assuming that all of the rods would be used for the same application, and was asked to rewrap several spiral wrapped rods, because the users found that the spiral wrapped rods simply didn't satisfy - their - particular needs for a rod.

However, when I switched these rods to a conventional wrap, they were very satisfied with the blank and overall build of the rod.

Conversely, for the spiral wrapped rods, when used for tip up fishing, these clients were also very pleased.

Never assume that you know best. Be sure to discuss the needs and wishes of the client, and the potential uses for the rod, before finalizing the build order.

p.s.
It is not the fact that the spiral wrapped rods did not work just fine. They did. It is not the fact that the conventional wrapped guides did not work fine - they did.

It was a matter of personal preference of the users, who found that when using tip down fishing techniques, they liked to see the guides and line coming off of the top of the rod.

Roger

Sounds good Joe. I will take you up on the offer! See you Saturday.

When you are using the rod with the tip down you most likely are retreiving the lure on a tight line. So as you retreive, the line will only hit the guides so there is not a chance of the wet line hanging on the blank. WIth the tip up, the retreive is mostly with slack line, so with the rod spiral wrapped, again the line will be hitting only the guides during the retreive. Taking out one thing that could cause you not to feel the bite as well.

thanks guys, was only looking to further expand my understanding!! Great explanations.

Tom