Was thinking of attempting my first spiral wrapped pitching rod for my own personal use. What are some things I should take into account with this rod, regarding setup and placement of the guides. I know I will need to static test, just looking to get a starting point from which to start with. Any guides that people prefer to use with this setup.

Last, with this guide setup would most still opt for a moderate fast action or would you feel I could be fine with a fast action blank. Never built using a spiral wrap so just wanted know what I was getting into.

The blank has no way of knowing which side you put the guides on so whatever blank you normally use for this application will also work with a spiral wrap.

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hi Jay..i built them the same way as my flip rods only on tetescopic rods which when extended left about 45" of space for guides..i placed 9 guides at every 5" equal spacing..fished with guides down or on top just rotate rod tip 180 deg...no bumper guide...i let line rub on the blank, never ever a problem. if you sell the rod the buyer has option to use it with guides up or down with no bumper guide in the way..have fun..

I like to use the high frame guides from Hydra.

I've been using Pac Bay FX-04W as bumper guides on simple spirals.(also as runners) They are very small, low to the blank, and unobtrusive. They are very stout and have wide foot. I usually test cast these rods with 50# braid to a 17# floro leader and can hardly tell there is a knot. I start with a double foot 08 20-22 in. in front of the reel guide and go from there. The bumper goes halfway between the first and second guide a little more than halfway from top to bottom. Be forewarned, if you do one spiral wrapped there's little chance you'll want to put them on top in the future.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/25/2017 05:44PM by Lynn Behler.

Back in the archives during the time of the M&Ms, Steve Gardner put out his results on a Batson RX8+ pitching rod using Alps micro guides, he increased his accuracy and pitching distance over a standard build and even running guides larger an 3 mm. Casting distances were similar either way if I remember right, but he was using a flipping reel at the time and not one of the reels he uses for distance casting.
If I remeber right he uses a spiral wrap system similar to the Forhan system and used a 6mm stripper, followed by a 5mm, 4mm, transition to 3 mm guides in the 180 position. As I said before even 3.5 mm running guides weren't as effective as the 3mm guides. He was using braided line.

Right handed reeks the spiral placement should be to the left correct. And do most start the stripper guide at 0 degrees or do u find u need to offset the first guide to allow the line to lay consistent on the reel.

There is no difference on which way to go. I don't offset the first guide and get it around in three. That's my method and I'm stickin' to it. Go Hawks.

the spiral is great way to get the most power out of your rod but even more important is the number of guides..use at least 10 guides to get every inch of effort from your rod..you gotta turn them around first. lol.

Jay,
I always offset my first guide to get perfect line lay on the spool.

I suggest that you tape the guides in place on the reel. Then, pull off about 300 feet of line and lay it on the floor. Then, while holding light tension on the line, reel the line back onto the spool without touching the line at the reel.

Keep an eye on the line as it spools onto the reel. If the line spools onto the reel perfectly - great. Wrap the guides in the locations where you have them taped in place.

However, if you find that the line is laying on one side of the reel or the other, offset the first guide a few degrees in the direction that is opposite from the stacking line and retest.

Continue to test and retest until you get a perfect line lay on the reel without touching the line at the reel as you reel a few hundred feet of line back on the reel under light tension.

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After doing this test, I find that I ALWAYS have to off set the first guide a few degrees to achieve perfect line lay on the reel without touching the line at the reel.

Good luck

I put my guide closest to the reel at o degrees without an offset. I do however angle the foot toward the next guide. I also do like the spiral to go to the left on a right hand caster although I don't think it matters. I create a choke point on the rod where the line will cross the blank behind the most critical bend of the rod at 45 degrees. This will be just behind the 3rd guide that is below the blank at around 135 degrees. The forth guide is at 180 degrees and also just behind the critical bend. I align the guides to create the straightest line possible. I do not want my line to touch the blank even when critically bent. Fuji RV guides are the correct height for rods 7' and shorter then I will go with a KW for rods over 7'. I do not use guides smaller than 4 mm rings, I have found no advantage to it. My typical guide set up would be; Fuji RV 6, KB 5 and the rest KB and KT 4s. 9 guides for a 7' and under and 10+ for 7' and over.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/27/2017 04:14PM by Lance Schreckenbach.