Hi all ..
Ok , I built a casting rod , my first. I new in the beginning the blank might be a little soft for the application I wanted ( drop shot ) but built it any way . After finishing and fishing it I realize my guide placement is a bit off and maybe in conjunction with the soft blank sometimes I dont get the hook set I want ... My question is if I R&R and possibly add a guide, moving the guide train down the blank and closer to the reel ( now at 23" from reel ) will this change the power or action any ?? I now understand a little better, guide placement and the static line testing so I wont make the original mistake again ... thank you... Mychael

Nope, sorry to report that any re-arranging of guides will have minimal if an effect on solving your problem. Just fish it as a rod for what it works for (probably cranks, probably light cranks) and build another with the right power and action for what you want it to do.

Your issue is not so much guide placement as it is blank selection.

Mychael - If you've been using mono/fluorocarbon line on the rod, switching to braid with a fluoro leader will increase the rod's hook setting power, but changing the guide placement won't increase the power or change the action.

True, but I don't think that is the real issue here.

Mychael,
Sharpen all of the hooks that you use on terminal tackle to get a better hook set.

Use only braided line - all of the way to the hook for minimal stretch to get a better hook set.

For a rock hard hook set, build another rod with a stiff tip - NOT a drop shot rod blank. Drop shot rod blanks, by their very design have a very soft top 2-3 feet. Hence, tough to get a normal hook set with that sort of rod. As a result, when using a rod as you have built - learn to use a different, but equally effective hook set. All that you have to do, is to reel down on the fish - taking all of the bend out of the tip of the rod and then bust the fish. Hook up every time.

Best wishes.

Cut six or eight inches off the end of the rod before you re-arrange the guides and use circle hooks.

Phil,
That would work.

However, if you do that - you would ruin a perfectly wonderful drop shot rod.

A drop shot rod is designed with an ultra soft hook and baits and hooks are to be used in such a fashion as the fish hook themselves.

No hook set necessary.

Take care

Roger:

No hook set is necessary with a circle hook.