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What's new?
Posted by:
Phil Ewanicki
(---.res.spectrum.com)
Date: April 19, 2020 02:07PM
Out of curiosity, what would you name as the most significant innovation in rod building components and the most significant innovation in rod building techniques in the last 10 years or so? Re: What's new?
Posted by:
Tom Kirkman
(Moderator)
Date: April 19, 2020 02:35PM
Foam-Core, Carbon-Fiber skinned grips (although they're 14 years old now). The Microwave System has simplified spinning rod guide set-up by a large measure.
Otherwise most of the assembly techniques haven't changed by much. ........... Re: What's new?
Posted by:
Norman Miller
(---)
Date: April 19, 2020 02:48PM
KR guide concept. Best I've ever used.
Norm Re: What's new?
Posted by:
Terry Kirk
(---)
Date: April 19, 2020 05:52PM
I'm going to go with the soul and accuracy built into todays blanks. Re: What's new?
Posted by:
Steve Cox
(---)
Date: April 19, 2020 09:11PM
I don't know if it's considered innovation but the ease and speed of getting useful, accurate information on building technique from other builders is a major plus to rod building today!!! Re: What's new?
Posted by:
Reed W Atkinson
(---.cust.exede.net)
Date: April 20, 2020 09:32AM
Hands down, Microwave guides. The original are amazing and AT continues to come out with new applications for the system. I use these almost exclusively on my spinning and casting rod builds, and the 18/8 is becoming a major feature on my fly rods. Check them out if you haven't already. Re: What's new?
Posted by:
Jason Franqui
(---.pbso.org)
Date: April 20, 2020 10:53AM
I would have to say the Microwave guides. The first time i used them i knew they were a game changer. The ease of setting them up and the durability are some of the reason I use them on 99% of my builds. Re: What's new?
Posted by:
Jonathan Hotham
(---.hsd1.mi.comcast.net)
Date: April 20, 2020 10:57AM
I haven't been in rod building for many years like alot of you. However I would say the readily available carbon fiber grips, and grip making supplies and of course Microwaves.i started building rods and built every variety of spinning guide layout I was able to research. I built a couple rods with the same blank and different guides. From the first cast I was impressed with microwaves. Now the majority of my rods wear microwaves. Re: What's new?
Posted by:
Richard Bowers
(---.ptld.qwest.net)
Date: April 20, 2020 03:36PM
The American Tackle Microwave stripper guides (18/8 & 12/6) have improved my fly casting way more than I deserve!! I put an 18/8 on a 5-wt 9' 3" fast action fly-rod and was overcasting my targets by several feet!! And I am not a good fly-caster! Made up another similar rod for a Fly Fishing guide and he loves it as well. Re: What's new?
Posted by:
Kladis Tasos
(---.home.otenet.gr)
Date: April 20, 2020 09:25PM
For sure Microwaves. I am using the new 30's and 50's on my surf builds and now I have started using the 18/8's on my slow pitch vertical rods. If you can't find it ... build it! Re: What's new?
Posted by:
Eric MONTACLAIR
(---.ipv6.abo.wanadoo.fr)
Date: April 21, 2020 12:49AM
Carbon foam grip and Microguide/KR concept (in relation with braid line). ________________________________________ @+ Eric [www.emfishing.fr] Re: What's new?
Posted by:
John Keough
(---.bltmmd.fios.verizon.net)
Date: April 21, 2020 07:32AM
Microwave guides keep getting better with different options, plus the new CCT carbon seats, and carbon grips from American Tackle are awesome. Re: What's new?
Posted by:
Robert Church
(---.inf6.spectrum.com)
Date: April 21, 2020 11:31AM
Microwave guides, carbon grips, carbon reel seats, Vortex air guides, Bushido 3k blanks, Nanophene slow load blanks, and let's not forget the 40+ Burl cork options that continue to improve every year. Re: What's new?
Posted by:
Phil Ewanicki
(---.res.spectrum.com)
Date: April 21, 2020 12:18PM
The shortage of even lousy cork has made an alternative pretty much a necessity. Everyone has his/her own opinion on which is more attractive, durable, and efficient, cork or carbon? - but cork oaks grow very slowly and wine drinkers pop corks very quickly. As for changes in guides, is it the difference in size, shape, or materials which make the new models so superior? Re: What's new?
Posted by:
roger wilson
(---)
Date: April 21, 2020 01:25PM
Phil,
Actually in many cases, some of the new models are not so superior. Different - yes. Superior - maybe not. Re: What's new?
Posted by:
Tom Kirkman
(Moderator)
Date: April 21, 2020 04:11PM
Good cork is as available as it ever was. But now, just as then, you have to expect to pay a premium price for it.
Foam Core, Carbon Skinned grips offer greater advantages on fly rods than any other rod type. All the caster's input moves through the grip. Until you try one of these on a fly rod, you have no idea how much energy is being wasted moving through spongy, soft cork. Most folks aren't even aware of how spongy and soft cork actually is, until they have a rigid grip on their fly rod. Then the trick is to ease up - relax and let the better energy input allow you to do more with less effort. .............. Re: What's new?
Posted by:
Phil Ewanicki
(---.res.spectrum.com)
Date: April 21, 2020 05:33PM
Tom: Your "do more with less effort" statement is well made. At least half the fly-casters I see could do considerably more with a lot less effort. I saw Joan Wulff, a petit woman, cast over 100' and make it look easy. If/when we get past this pandemic I plan to test cast a fly rod with a foam/carbon grip, although I grasp a fly rod rather lightly and let the hauling hand do the heavy work. Re: What's new?
Posted by:
Phil Erickson
(---.dsl.pltn13.sbcglobal.net)
Date: April 21, 2020 08:01PM
I'm with Tom on the fly rod application of foam core carbon fiber grips. Many of my customers come back and rave about how they have improved their casting. Re: What's new?
Posted by:
ben belote
(---.zoominternet.net)
Date: April 24, 2020 11:37AM
another option is to coat the foam core with granulated cork and sand down to a smoother texture..you can use the contained flocking method except you use granulated cork in the jar instead of flocking fiber..it,s very firm like the carbon grips but is corky looking and way more durable than regular cork handles and maybe even the carbon handles.. Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
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