Hello All,

I stumbled across the video linked below where Gary seems to contradict popular opinion on guide placement:

[www.youtube.com]

He seems to state that guides should be placed on top of the bend for casting setups and below for spinning. Am I interpreting this wrong? If no, what are everyone's thoughts on this? I suppose i get the casting distance argument, but wouldn't this put the rod under increased stress during hooksets and fish fighting/flipping?

This topic came up a few weeks ago. If you'll go back into the archives you can read several pages of comments regarding this issue. Somebody may have a link to that topic - it was ongoing just about 3 weeks or ago.

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I think this was it - 8 full pages for your reading enjoyment: [www.rodbuilding.org]

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Eric if you will unhide your email address so members can discuss it with you off the forum because on the forum it becomes how shall I say- controversial...

But between you and I, I think Gary got it right in that video. I adhere to his method strictly while others adhere to other ideas and theories. We can discuss it in private off the forum, but like Tom said... click on his link and enjoy the reading...

Eric,
A casting reel sits on top of a rod blank.

A spinning reel sits under a rod blank.

If you want a straight line for your line to run from the casting reel to the tip top of the rod, the line will be on the top side of the blank.

If you want a straight line from your line to run from the spinning reel to the tip top of the rod, the line will be on the underside of the blank.

That is the way that fishing rods have been ever since reels have been put on rod blanks. If you wish, you can wrap the line around the rod between the reel and the tip and that is your choice.

But, if you wish to have essentially 0 angular changes in the line path, keep the line on the same side of the rod blank as the reel is mounted.

Take care

Who can argue with a legend like Gary Loomis? That being said, just as he did, thinking outside-the box is what instigates ingenuity and progression. Mr. Loomis is a fine example for all of us to attempt to follow!

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

I like to build along the straightest axis, OK, keep your guns in your holster, because I have found most of the time the spine falls along the straightest axis or very close to it.

When I build along the spine I place the guides on the side as shown in the video.

Have Fun

John

The effective spine is the weakest axis. The straightest axis is nearly always the stiffest/strongest axis. The spine and the straight axis are almost never 180 degrees apart, but rather anywhere from about 170 to 90 degrees apart.

Actual tests and data show that building on the straightest axis results in the strongest orientation in terms of maximum deadlift strength. There are no tests nor data regarding "spine" in terms of any benefits it offers, only theories and ideas.

Do what you prefer - the rod will be fine.

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It is possible to measure the performance of a rod in feet and inches and actually demonstrate the superiority (or lack thereof) of different rod building techniques. Reports or comparisons of actual rod performance in feet and inches are not published. This would suggest such differences are trivial, at best.

Phil Ewanicki Wrote:
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> It is possible to measure the performance of a rod
> in feet and inches and actually demonstrate the
> superiority (or lack thereof) of different rod
> building techniques. Reports or comparisons of
> actual rod performance in feet and inches are not
> published. This would suggest such differences are
> trivial, at best.


No, there is not and you know this Phil .

Instead of speculating, why not read the measured and documented test done. It's the Blank Strength article in the library above.

I think you're referring to spine orientation and how Tom tested dozens of blanks and documented their failure points . We just went through all that a few weeks ago with many members chiming in . It was ugly and seemed to never end . Many of us are still attempting to recover from that thread to this very day .

I’ve done some reading in that post. Tom thanks for dispelling some of e myths I’ve seen out there. I think my plan is just to use this info to customize my builds in the future. Maybe a cranking rod can be aligned to increase flex when loading the rod for casting? Perhaps a rod is too stiff on the straightest axis but is perfect for my application when on spine? While it’s great to know where the blank is at it’s absolute strongest and weakest, I think the data really seems to indicate that any difference is negligible and it should be more about feel/application

Just keep in mind that the softest and stiffest axis are not 180 degrees opposite each other. And, few people are able to cast on a single, particular axis each time. Rarely do fishing situations allow for that.

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