I have been planing to build a spiral wrapped convenional surf rod, but I have to admit I have never casted in the surf with a conventional rod. When these guys are casting for maximum distance, the line has to start directly behind the caster. This puts the line straight back, and the guides (on a traditional guides on top rod) will actuallly be on the "right" side of the rod. There should be no twisting of the blank on a cast with the traditional set-up. Fighting a fish is another story.

Now, if I spiral wrap teh rod, on the initial cast the guides are actually on the "wrong" side. Any thought on this?

Billy

I was just talking to a guy who was at last summers Surf Rod Long Distance Casting Contest here in NC. The winner had a custom built rod, 14 feet long, 2 guides, and a tip top. The 2 guides were really large "Perfection Wire" type guides. The tip top was oversized with an alloy ring, alconite, SIC, or something like that. Based on that, I would say the guides, not the tip top, have little to do with the cast.

Rod twist, due to guide placement, happens when the rod is bowed under pressure, as when fighting a fish. I would guess it would work fine while casting.

Bill Doherty

Hi Billy.

Something I have noticed with limited testing.

The spiral wrap has more effect on small diameter rods. Actually the torque caused by the guides being on top.

When I tested the "meat stick" and the "reef rod" the reel did not twist either way. It stayed right where you would expect it to be.

Have to try the test on more rods.

Capt Neil

My first attempt at a 12' didn't work. Casted much worse than an identical 12' set up the standard way. In fact I stripped it down last night to rewrap it the regular way.

I may give it another chance but it is doubtful.

On the other hand, the fighting rod that I built to match it did just find with the spiral.

Bill - I know why the rod torques - but aren't the guides on a spiral wrapped rod on the side of the rod that will cause twist in the rod during a cast?? That's what I'm trying to say.

Neil - you are correct about it being more effective on thinner blanks (actually the advantage is more noticeable) - You wanna see the Meat stick twist - take it out to 17 Fathoms where there are Gators (still around up to 20 pounds) - hook one and what what happens when the fish runs under the boat. The rod will twist. Also when swinging a fish (Brookyn style) - every guy on that boat before he swings the fish, flips his rod upside down - I assume because the rod has absolutely no stability when a green 15 pound Bluefish is being swung 10 feet. Long Island talk here guys.

Anyway, I am specifically asking what happens to the rod while power casting with a spiral wrapped rod.

Billy; When I cast with a conventional reel the rod is turned so it is actually on the side of the rod not on top. That puts the spool in a verticle position so the rod doesn't really load with the guides straight down. It's more on the side. If it was doing what you are thinking the spinning outfits would be having the opposite problem wouldn't they? I must say though the guys casting for distance are a breed unto themselves.