Static tested my first spiral wrap rod last night. Was planning on going a simple 0-90-180 but the micro guides I'm using will not allow me to do so, line touching the rod. So I ended up going a 0-60-120-180. Is this a common occurrence with this? Do you guys have a preference for rolling right or left? If so why?

I've always used the simple spiral, no problems. The only reason I know for selecting which way to spiral is to end up with the reel crank on top when the rod is placed on the boat deck. So the reel crank and the first guide are both up.

Keep in mind that the 0-90-180 and the Simple Spiral are not the same thing.

Check your distance between the 0 and 180 guide. They shouldn't be more than maybe 7 to 10 inches apart from each other on the Simple Spiral.

If you are using the 0-90-180 and making the 90 part of the regular spacing, you may have a line rubbing problem depending on the height of the guides being used.

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I should have called the guide that is up when the rod is on the deck as the second, or added guide, in the simple spiral. It is not the first guide.

Jacob,
Fine.
I wrap all of my spiral wrapped rods using the same guide alignment as you posted. It works well.

How many guides do you normally go with on a 7ft rod? I think I have too many on it now which is an easy fix. I have a total of 10 on it. I need to get it out and do some test casting with it before I wrap it.

Jacob,

You should only have enough guides on the rod so that the line stays in reasonable proximity to the rod blank when the rod blank is bent while fighting a fish.

Be safe

Jacob,

You should only have enough guides on the rod so that the line stays in reasonable proximity to the rod blank when the rod blank is bent while fighting a fish.

Be safe

Jacob, keep in mind that with the line running below the blank you need not worry so much about the line contacting the rod (most of us worry too much about that anyway) and can simply go with your static test and possibly that extra guide on the simple spiral. The static test will look different for a fast action than a slower action, and the slower action most likely will require fewer guides since the blank is not bending as sharply anywhere as it does on a fast or xfast.

A 7 foot rod generally requires 8 guides + the tiptop and the possible extra for simple spiral. BUT, since it's a spiral you most likely can get by with 7, or maybe even 6. Your static test and your judgment will tell you.

I played with it some more got rid of a couple guides. Changed placement of a couple and changed angles. 0-90-180 with the 90 just being a bumper # 5. Slight bit of tenting between guides now but the distance between line and rod stays very even. On the bumper it doesn't even touch the guide when the line is tight but under load it does touch the ring. So now I can see how you can go 0-180. I just refuse to let the line touch the rod. Probably not a big deal but personally I don't like the idea or possibility of that happening maybe I will learn with time and experience. If I used larger stripper guide it would give that security clearance.

How far apart are your 0 and first 180 degree guides?

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20" Tom with a bumper at 6" from the stripper.

That's not a Simple Spiral wrap - you're still doing a standard 0 - 90 -180. Not the same thing - you don't have a "bumper" guide, you have a standard 90 degree transition guide.

Try this, take the 90 degree guide you have now and turn it to the 180 axis. Then put a guide at 90 degrees between that one and the 0 axis guide. This will take care of any line rubbing problem and remove any possible side load from the 90 degree guide.

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Thanks Tom