My friend and I are building a 8'11 American tackle snook rod got the guides taped on and load tested it casts great (thank you to everyone that steered me toward using the KR concept on a longer rod like this) I was wondering would it add any use/protection to use an underwrap on the guides. I've heard others say no before but it seems like alot of pressure on a relatively small foot directly against the blank.

Not if you prep feet properly - no burrs.
Also - fill the tunnels first - drip by drip. Don't let the tunnels get dry - otherwise you will get bubbles under the wrap and stop the wicking. Let the finish wick all the way to the guide foot end. It will also wick under the guide feet - adding cushioning.
Herb
CTS



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/04/2021 10:38PM by Herb Ladenheim.

I wouldn't prep the feet unless you absolutely have to. It compromises the outer finish of the guide.

That's what I was told by Jim Ising as well that it will compromise the corrosion resistant properties. The guides are pretty nicely shaped from the factory especially the KTs and KBs. I'll just wrap them without any underwrap or prep. We put a crazy amount of pressure on the snook we target for the first 10-20 seconds of the fight and wasn't sure if the small feet will damage the blank but that doesn't seem to be the case.

Good to hear you are still catching some big snook on some some great gear Tyler!

Thank you Fernandez! Got out last night with my good friend and he whooped me. He got 4 slots and I got 1. And then we hit a docklight and got two nice fat trout.