When is an under wrap desired or needed?

James,
“Desired” and “needed” are completely different entities. You may have opened up Pandora’s Box, especially concerning the “needed” aspect. From an aesthetic point of view or the “desired” concern, if you like the looks and can afford the additional weight of the underwrap, then by all means go for it. From a structural or “needed” point of view, many, me included, feel an underwrap affords a cushion and/or helps stabilize the guide foot to the blank. Personally, I feel it is unnecessary for rods under 40lb but employ its additional security on builds over 40lb. The additional weight and stiffness to the blank from an underwrap will be more noticeable on a lighter rod rather than a heavy tuna stick. Additionally, many fail to realize that an underwrap requires additional time; basically it is like wrapping two rods. This has been an ongoing debate for decades and it is doubtful it will cease with this post. To each his own!

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Thank you for your insight Mark, I really wasn't trying to open pandoras box with this!

Typically, underwraps only serve a functional purpose on very heavy rods wrapped conventionally such as heavy surf and offshore. In these instances you may wish to have a little more protection against guides slipping or twisting on the smooth blank surface. The idea is that the underwrap provides a little bit of give for the guide foot to sink into. Coupled with overwrap and finish, the end result is very secure and any additional weight added isn't much of an issue on such heavy rods.

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Pandor’s Box may have been dramatizing a bit. But you will find vastly varying opinions even amongst the veterans. I am surprised you have not received more replies, both pro and con.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.