My next rod will be a 13 foot Hatteras Heaver I want to minimize the the size of the guides as much as possible I have always used a guide size of 25 for conventional casting as my first guide. I place the reel where I want it, then place the first guide in position so as the line goes through it does not hit either side of the guide. Is that the correct way to do it or should I use a smaller guide and choke the line right off the bat. I could use a smaller guide and advance it up the rod more as long as there is no line slap.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/02/2011 08:38AM by Maryann Cohen.

Maryann
You should not get "line slap" on a conventional set up. The line doesn't "spin" off the reel like a spinning rod. Depending on your reel width you can probably drop down a size and reduce all your guide sizes to whatever diameter will pass your knots. If you are using a shock leader to main line that will most likely be the largest diameter connection you will have coming back through your guides (assuming that your leader length puts one wrap on the reel spool - personally I don't like that method but it seems to be the standard locally.
When I set up a conventional I like to put the reel on; allow the line to get to the far edge of the spool (maximum off-angle) and set the first guide so that the line touches the guide - not radically but enough to gather the line from off-angle, too much and the line will not spool back up evenly on the reel unless you are using one with a line guide



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/02/2011 09:01AM by Ken Preston.

Does the blank have a 50/50 split?
Will the reel be mounted high or low?

Don Becker

Don the rod is 50 50 I use it both ways .

how does the customer cast the rod

TALK TO THEM GET TO KNOW THIS

Bill - willierods.com

In most cases, not all due to blanks with different characteristics:

Low reel, butt guide a minimum 40" above reel face.

High reel, butt guide a minimum 30" and should be at least 36" above reel seat.

Butt guide size, 25mm or 30mm depending on reel size and rod action.
25mm if the rod has a powerful handle, minimum bend under load and you are using a small reel such as an ABU 7500 or Akios 757.
30mm if the handle has a lot of bend or you are using a larger reel.

Try to land a guide on or near the ferrule. The use of a ferrule wrap and guide wraps will enhance ferrule strength. The location will also take some stress off the ferrule.

Since I cast only high reel, my butt guide is on the ferrule. Your guide positions will be different due to your desire to cast both high and low reel. If I had the desire to cast a rod both low and high reel, I would probably build it as a high reel rod with the butt guide on the ferrule. I would then tape on a second butt guide 30" above the high reel position. Do a static load test to determine the remaining guide positions and tape them in place. Make test casts and change guide postions until you are satisifed with the results.

For guides
25mm 30" or more above upper reel position. I might be tempted to make this a size 30 guide to help (a little) keeping the line off my hand when casting low reel.
25mm or 20mm on ferrule
20mm
16mm
12mm out to tip top
You may want to add additional 20' and 16's to help keep the line off the blank.

The bottom line is that you have to lay it out and check how it casts both high and low reel.

Don

Don Becker

Don, Sorry but, I have to ask. What do you mean when you ask, Is the reel going to be mounted high or low?
Are you asking if the reel is a high or low framed reel? or Where on the butt the reel is going be mounted?
I do believe your talking about a tie-wrapped or taped plate type reel seat that can be adjusted for power casting, NO?

Dennis J. Danku
(Sayreville,NJ)

Dennis you can get reel seats that are moveable . Its where the reel is mounted on the reel seat.

Hi Dennis,

In the US, most fishermen use the reel in the high position, while most tournament casters have the reel mounted low.

In the low position, the reel is mounted about 6 to 10 inches from the butt. The high reel position usually has the reel mounted 26 to 40 inches above the butt.

Maryann wants to use the rod both in high and low reel positions. Coasters, plates, or movable reel seats could be used. The main issue with movable reel seats is that the handle needs to be as near to parallel as possible. The other problem that can arise is that some of the movable reel seats are designed to tighten on the handle by forcing down on the reels foot. this can cause an undesirable pressure point on the blank.

Don Becker

Don/Maryann, I got ya, It's no longer a fishin rod. It's just for distance casting. A catapult !

Dennis J. Danku
(Sayreville,NJ)