Hi all,

I'm in the process of setting up my first simple spiral attempt and I have a bit of a concern about the loading on the blank.

Ive found that when the rod is loaded the the line passes from the 0 degree butt guide in a near prefect straight line through the first 180 degree guide and onto the second 180 degree guide.

This seems to me to create more pressure on the butt guide and the 2nd 180 degree guide but very little pressure on the first 180 degree guide as the line passes through them under load.

My concern is that the load the blank is recieving through this area is not consistent and therefore may put extra stress on the blank through this zone.

I've tried different sized butt guides and different spacing but that doesn't seem to make a difference.

Am I worrying about nothing or do I need to Change my layout.


P.S. 10-20 lb GL2 16mm butt at 19 inches from line guide on reel 1st 180 degree guide 8mm single at 8 inches ahead of that. Then 8mm singles to tip. 7 guides in total plus tip not including bumper, 5' 6" rod.

Any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated, Thanks

Cam.

If you tie a line to the tip, with no guides, you'll have perfect loading.

There is no problem unless and until you create a bowstring effect between a pair of guides. This is highly unlikely to happen unless you are using a very small number of guides.

If you feel unsure or worried, use a slightly smaller, lower, guide for the first 180 degree guide. That will place the line on the guide ring at the same time as that in the 2nd 180 degree guide. This should take care of your concern.

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

Thanks Tom, everything came to a grinding holt last night but your bit of reassurance has got me itching to get back into it.

If you look at the Standard Load Tutoral from Angler's Resourse, sponsor on the left, you'll see exactly how I set up my spiral wraps. I set the upper guides first and use the last guide as my first 180. I string two guides behind the first 180, set the blank in a good flex and set them where ever the line tells them they need to be. I incorporate the bumper "into" the guide placement instead of adding it. This way the first 180 loads every time whether it needs to or not - they cast great and land fish..