So I have someone wanting me to build them a surf rod on a SU1088F-2-MHX. It is 9ft MH and throws 2-5oz. I need some advice as I have only built bass rods before. What kind of guides should I use with this rod? It is going to be spinning. I just dont know if double foot is a requirement for this size, or what model guide or anything else to go with. He also wants Winn grips and a foregrip. I see the 10.5in winn but Im not sure it would be long enough. Then I see the 12in foregrip. It is labled foregrip but I dont see how with it being 12 inches. Is that actually a rear? Thanks!

Cameron,
the reel will to a large extent determine the guide size.
Bigger reel = bigger stripper guide.
Then the kind of knots being passed, you need to know that.
Wind on leader or braid to uni + floro or?
Genuine surf or from a pier or mixed?
What line does he use?

All season and some mono gets hard in winter, you will be wanting to flatten out those loops.

How does he use it? Lures, weight and bait? Freelined live bait? baitboat?Kite?

How does he hold his rod? American style in his armpit? In fishing belt?

Does he have paunch? That drives handle/grip sizes.
How big are his hands? That determines diameter of grip.

Does he have RA in his hands so you need to enlarge and cushion the grip area?
Just some of the things i would want to know before i even began to do the build or advise someone else what to build on.

Check out the MicroWave 50 system.... it has been successfully tested on surf, carp and boat rods.... It is available through your favorite distributor.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

_______________________________
God Bless, Don Morse

800-516-1750 ext. 1207 / don@americantackle.us

Rod Building..... It's What We Do.

Lou Auret Wrote:
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> Does he have paunch?

I resemble that remark.

John, i speak from experience too!

Cameron,
I primarily surf fish and this lead to me building primarily surf rods for the couple years I have been building my own rods. here is my 2 cents.
Guides - I seem to be going more to Fuji. I have used there BVSLG and like them and they are a good price. I find myself going to Alconites more though and don't mind the extra price. I usually put double foots all the way up the rod. Of course the use dictates, I do have rods with a double foot guides transitioning into single foot runners. Without considering other more expensive guides, the black Fuji seem to hold up nicely in the salt and my particular abuses. The silver ones seem to not hold up as well. (Of course there is no science behind this)
Handle - Typically I use either cork tape or I make a split grip eva. Never used winn so don't know much about them. The foregrip needs to be big enough to be useful, I like one around 6 inches. It does get used, unlike in other types of fishing. You need to use a butt cap that matches the way the rod is used (fishing belt or not)
My surf rods spend a good amount of time in pvc rod holders, so the handles can take some abuse going into and out of the holder.

That being said, I am building a 8 foot rod with similar butt and tip dimensions as the one you are looking at. I went with a 12 inch eva rear grip and a 4 inch eva fore grip. Havent fished it yet as I just finished the dec wrap and haven't put guides on it yet. It is getting Fuji BKWAGs, starting with a 30j. all double foots.

as others have said, more specifics on what its primary use will be will help make the answers more specific. My pompano rod is different than my drum rod, but the above is sort of a starting point for a basic all around surf rod. And of course, a Rodmaker back issue is out there that has a surf rod primer. The article explains several of the methods and types of materials used.

Good luck
Mike



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/09/2015 10:10PM by mike thacker.

Thanks for all the replies guys, it has given me a lot to consider. Basically he is wanting this rod as an all around rod without a set use.

My suggestion is to maybe have him pick a factory rod or find a custom built rod he likes and use those specs as a guideline.
I surf fish on the west coast for striped bass and my needs for tossing swim baits and plugs if very specific. I tend to like a medium heavy
action 9 1/2 foot graphite steelhead rod with some backbone and a bit of a faster action. Like an 8-17. These are just some thoughts as
locale,style of fishing and environment along with personal tastes and needs are all variables. There is no such thing as an all around rod,so he
may want to do some research so you guys at least have a direction to move towards. Good luck!

I really like the microwave 50's. Smooth casting