Has anyone experimented with a double-sided rod? This would be with casting guides along top and spinning guides on the bottom and using 2 plate-type reel seats.

Tony,
Why in the world would you want to have a rod that is 2-5 times heavier and less responsive than a conventionally wrapped - single rod.

However, why don't you build such a rod and let us know your thoughts after you have used it for 10 years - both as a casting rod and as a spinning rod.

Always willing to try unique ideas.

Good luck

I believe there was an article about doing something similar. The difference was spiral wrapping the casting side so you used the same running guides for both. Still not sure why somebody would really need such a rod but if I were going to do it that would be the way.

I can see a lot of problems with it too but the thought just came to me and figured I would ask if anyone has tried it.

Seems to me you would have either heavy (as in mass) bait caster with questionable spinning capability, or a heavy (as in mass) spinning rod with questionable bait casting capability.

Having a hard time thinking about a single blank doing double duty with guides and wraps everywhere being a fun thing to fish.

Tony,
Actually one thing that does work pretty well and that is to simply use a spinning reel seat and guide setup and then use either a casting reel on the rod or a spinning reel.

Remember the picture of one of the President Bush's on the cover of some magazine holding a spinning reel upside down?

So, if our president says it is all right, then we can all do it.

But, actually, if you want to put a casting reel on a spinning reel - go for it. It will work all right. -- With the typical guide spacing of a spinning reel, it is quite possible that the line might be touching or be below the blank on a loaded rod when used as a casting reel, but that won't hurt the function of the rod.

Good luck

kind of a crazy ider and the one thing not mentioned is how you or what kind of tip top do you use or make to accommodate both sets of guides ?
you often see people using a spinning rod upside down or using a casting reel on a spinning rod but not so much the other way casting rod with spinning reel.

The best day to be alive is always tomorrow !!
Think out side the box when all else fails !!!
Wi.

The best education and experience comes from doing and then learning from the results. We know that when we see a sign "HOT SURFACE" there is always someone who touches it and burns themselves. The consensus is that it is not the way to go, however, building such a rod will enhance your experience and building skills and be a good conversation piece.
I agree with Roger try it and give us a report.

Good luck

John

Matthew: An old vintage Agate stirrup tiptop would work

Interesting idea - for me I think if I was looking for a type of all in one deal - I'd probably try to find a 2 piece rod that will do the job, and find an extra bottom segment. Probably can cheat the top running guides to work with either spinning or casting - but then you'd have two bottom pieces - one built for casting the other for spinning. Then again, I'd probably just build two rods.....lol....interesting idea thought having both on one.

I think it could be done satisfactorily with minimum weight gain by using spiral wrap (as stated above) with two reduction spinning guides for the spin side. So the running guides would be the same for both reels. I would consider using electrical tape or similar for attaching both reels. I'm not saying it would be an optimum rod, but I don't think it would be a disaster, either. It would gain the weight of two spin guides and lose some weight in the reel seat function. Or at least break even. Limit the line to about 15 braid for spinning.

You could use fly-rod snake guides on a spinning or casting rod, or you could use roller guides on a fly rod, but the generally agreed upon goal of rod builders is to supply the best rod for its intended use.

Tony, think about it for a while, then build it and enjoy it...

a stirrup tip like tony said or I also have tips that screw on to a ferrule that gets glued to the rod tip and you can spin ring 360 degrees . if you need some email me

Tony
I have not built a double sided rod -casting/spinning

But I did build a double sided rod, all casting about 8 years ago, guides all on top verses a spiral wrapped guide train to demonstrate how much further the spiral would cast opposed to an all on top guided train.
(link posted below).
The result was that all the extra weight hindered to rods over all performance.
Based on that I would advise against it

[rodbuilding.org]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. It was just an idea that popped into my head today. I have a couple of other project rods that I need to cpmplete first, but I may try to make a 'double duty" rod - i like the spiral wrap idea.

Tony,
Ever try a spinning reel on one of your casting rods? Even though it's about the worse combo there is due to the low and small guides, I think you'll be surprised by how well it does. Might help you brainstorm a bit.

Rodmaker magazine. December 2015.

Mac

I use to modify a DPS seat so that i could rotate the hoods from top(casting) to bottom(spinning) and leave the guides on the bottom for both..

Use a Carbon tube Tennessee handle with a Fuji plate reel seat, And use a set of american tackle Airwave guides. It will Fish