Phil Ewanicki Wrote:
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> It is a serious mistake to assume everyone else
> uses the same fishing reels, rods and techniques
> that you do: casting reel rods, closed face
> spinning reel rods. snatching rods, open-face
> spinning reel rods, trolling rods, down rigger
> rods, drop-shot rods, kite rods, worming rods,
> ice-fishing jig rods, casting rods, dry fly rods -
> you name it. One size/build does not fit all.
> Before proclaiming how someone's rod should be
> built it is necessary to determine exactly how
> this rod will be used and what features are
> desirable in the completed rod.


While many do make the mistake of not revealing rod specs and planned usage this particular thread it was clear that it's about flipping rods.

I love this place too Lynn ..... I've never been asked to write a book. I'm actually shocked by the suggestion. I figured everyone would be tired of reading my long winded posts on this site, and they surely wouldn't want to read any more of my ramblings in book form.

I'm open to title suggestions guys. I'm leaning towards something to do with beating your head against a brick wall ..... or maybe a play on some song lyrics? Will Smith, back in his Fresh Prince days did a song with DJ Jazzy Jeff titled "Parents just don't understand." Of course I'd change a word or two. Wouldn't want to be accused of plagiarism. .

Oh and as far as my naming Mr Forhan numerous times in my one earlier post. I meant no disrespect towards Mr Forhan. It's just that a lot of times I end up talking to myself, because ......... well .....just because. :o)


Oh, and I fished a small tournament today. It's was a benefit tournament for a fellow angler that was diagnosed with cancer a month or so ago. I won big bass with a 3 lb 9 oz largemouth. I would love to say that I caught it flipping with one of my counterbalanced tip light flipping rods, but I caught it walking a frog parallel to cat tails. Only caught 4 fish today, Just couldn't get that 5th one to finish out my limit. Would have been interesting if I had though. Might have been collecting more than just big bass money.

Good on you David , well done and I appreciate your honesty , I can tell just by your writings that you're a guy with integrity with a true passion for fishing.

My Fenwick S glass Flippin' Stik has a 10 inch grip. My GLoomis L904 custom I built many moons ago has a 9 inch grip, because my raingear got caught a few times in some positions I had to fish in the rainy, windy and cooler Pac. NW, don't own an 8 ft rod so they have all been that same length ever since. Most seen to like their grips 1 1/2 to 2 inches short of their elbow. My 9 inch grip feels a bit heavy tipped, but it gets the fish in the boat and frankly I think such a short line presentation doesn't present sensitivity problems be it feel, or visually.

i still have two of the fenwick flip rods some where..i didn,t know they were s-glass or maybe i just forgot..lol.

I never expected this to go five pages. WOW!

Anyway, I finished the rod and got it in the hands of a very happy young man. Threw in a hand skirted flippin jig with a live rubber skirt to go with it. He requested some pro wrap metallic braid for trim. I have learned to hate working with that stuff. It is too wide. Managed to get the desired look he wanted though.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Aaron, looks good. I have wondered how that Pro Wrap metallic braid looks when actually on a rod. I'm liking it. When you say it is too wide, is that because it's like size D thread in diameter? And how is it when pulling through? Does it shed or grab more than a normal metallic thread would?

Additionally. Chris, I would be remiss if I didn't thank you for the compliment. Thank you.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/25/2021 06:31AM by David Baylor.

Think size D times 3. It is wide and flat. It has to be rolled on flat and if it ever isnt flat it fluffs and loses shape.

When I say it is too wide I mean it is as wide as a 6 wrap size D trim band. The underwrap in the picture is only 8 passes.

Because the braid is actually braided the metallic thread tend to have depth to them. It eats a lot of finish and requires multiple coats.

The pull through is the worst part. Remember wheb you first started this craft and your pull throughs looked like V's? It is next to impossible not to with braid because every pass is like six. I pulled through under only 1 wrap to reduce it but could never get it perfect. Also on the pull through you have to make sure it does not fold or roll.

I did not have shedding issues. But I will say this. You cannot overwrap it directly. You have to finish it prior to overwrap because of the rocky depth it has.

I was told by a Fenwick representative way back when that they were a saltwater blank built out of S glass for this rod. He told me which one, but it is no longer relevant, so it been filed in the WHO CARES cabinet of my brain long ago. It's spent more time catching other species than it bass over the years.

Aaron, thanks for the heads up on the Pro Wrap braided metallic. Based on your synopsis, you just saved me $6.60. lol It sounds like a real nightmare to work with. A definite "no thanks" kind of thing.

I don't know how many of you tried braid back when it first came out, and I realize there were braided lines prior to what most people know as the braided line of today, but anyhow .... I tried it when it first came out, I believe it was called Kevlar and the Stren company made it. That line was flat. It was horrible to tie a knot with, and the knots wouldn't hold because the line would slip, so it was suggested and pretty much required that you hit the knot with a spot of Super Glue in order to secure the knot. It would also affect your cast because the line would start planing. You could actually see the line shifting back and forth in the air. It was horrible.

If I remember correctly, 20# test was the highest strength available.Or at least the highest strength I saw it offered in. And it definitely couldn't take the shock that today's braids can. More than once I popped the 20# test on a hook set like it wasn't even there. It wasn't the knot slipping, it was the line separating. Thankfully, today's braids are light years ahead of the early stuff.

The braided metallic definitely looks great once finished. However it added a considerable amount of time, headache, and finish. I am not totally counting it out. I will practice with what is left from this 15yds. I really wanted to do a trim band but it will take some ingenuity to figure out how to do a single wrap trim with it. I have an idea how. I will try it and create a different post about it if y'all are interested.

What blank did you end up building on?

Joel Babin Wrote:
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> What blank did you end up building on?

MB874 MHX. I build a budget series on MHX mag bass.

Nice... I understand that to be a very powerful rod.

Joel Babin Wrote:
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> Nice... I understand that to be a very powerful
> rod.

It is a good match for what he will be doing. Most of our flipping is in water willow and nothing heavier so it will work perfect. The plan is for him to use this rod and when he grows we will move him to a NFC MB 7108 or 7109. Then with the shorter handle the MB874 will actually make a decent frog rod. We made this plan together when we sat down and really discussed where he is at and where he is planning to go in competitive bass fishing.

Good planning... I wrapped up a MB7108 last night. I trimmed it down to 7-4 for personal use.

Very nice. I have one on the bench right now. I have had the NFC soft touch 1k handle on it for weeks but set it aside to finish customer work. I am leaving it full length.

This is the braid compared to size D.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Don’t make me come back there, OK I’m coming back there, one last time before I croak. Perhaps in two seminars I’ll be able to separate fact from fiction or opinion, or maybe not. These discussions seem to get a little long primarily because of the misunderstanding of the terms Flippin and Pitchin. I have no opinions here, I learned from the best ,D Thomas, Dave Glebie, Gary Klein, then proceeded to test, test, test. See you at the expo.

Rich,

Being able to attend your seminar will be worth the trip alone