Hi Guys,

Im building an acid wrap casting rod on a Black Hole 691UL Blank. Im sure anyone who has used this blank know its got a very parabolic bend.

Ok So here is what i have come up with.


I put the stripper 16in from the reel face. I tried 19 but the rod is starting to get some bend at that point. I spaced the fist bumper 4 in at 60deg. I spaced the next one 4 in up at 120 deg, and 4in up from there is the last one at 180deg. So the whole transition is about 12in. In load tests, the line doesnt touch anywhere.

Is there anything i have to be concerned about by moving the stripper so close or how the line goes through the guides during the transition? This rod wont see much casting and will be used mostly for vertical jigging.

The guide train from stripper to runners is BLNAG 08 to BLNAG 06 (60deg) to BKBAG 06 (120deg) to BKBAG 05 (180deg) to BKBAG 05 to BKTAG 4.5 to the tip.

First off, you don't have any "bumper guides." Such guides do not in any way direct nor transition the line. What you have is a standard type Revolver system with a couple of transition guides.

Just do this - put ALL the guides on top of the rod. Set it up just like you would for any normal casting rod. Do your static spacing per normal and set all the guides that way. Then do this - flip all but the butt guide to the bottom of the rod. That's it. You're done.

If you want you can add an actual "bumper guide" between the top mounted butt guide and the 2nd guide, which will now be at 180 degrees. Do not adjust spacing to accommodate the bumper guide.

Last step - just go fishing.

..........

Will,
If you offer a bit more information, I will offer my humble, apprentice opinion; reel spool diameter and level-wind or not, line weight rating of the (UL?) blank, and length of blank (6’9”?).

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

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the reply. I will be using a a Quantum Accurist S3 baitcast reel (levelwind). The rod is rated for 8-16lb braid, i will be running 10lb.

Some more info after fiddling with it again last night:

I moved the stripper back out to 19 where i had it originally. But i left the shortened transition from top to bottom, with 5in of spacing between the Stripper > 2nd > 3rd > bottom guide for a total of 15in. This layout appears to have plenty of clearance around the blank.

Please let me know your thoughts.

If it works, it works. Essentially that is a pretty standard Roberts/Revolver type wrap and thousands have been built and worked just fine.

.............

Will,
Since we have been in contact off-site, there is no need for further comment here.

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