Hey guys so I’m building my first boat rod and need some tips or guidance on components. I’ve build some spinning rods, casting and fly rods but these boat rods have me stumped as far as guides and spacing and the grips and reel seats(pretty much everything). I’m fairly new and trying to branch out and learn some new things. I’m building on the MHX GFC84M it’s a 7’ 20-40lbs line. Thank you so much in advance.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/24/2023 10:02PM by Alex Tway.

Alex Tway Wrote:
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> Hey guys so I’m building my first boat rod and
> need some tips or guidance on components. I’ve
> build some spinning rods, casting and fly rods but
> these boat rods have me stumped as far as guides
> and spacing and the grips and reel seats(pretty
> much everything). I’m fairly new and trying to
> branch out and learn some new things. I’m
> building on the MHX GFC84M it’s a 7’ 20-40lbs
> line. Thank you so much in advance.

Well for a boat rod, if you are planning to put in a rod holder, you need to think about taking it out of the holder with a fish tugging on it. Consider a slick butt.

For guide spacing I think it's that same for any rod, any technique. Locate them with a 2 line stress test. Start with the number of guides equal to the length of the rod in feet + one + a tiptop. If you don't like the stress test add a guide and repeat.
Probably for that power blank it would be good to use double foot guides all the way. I assume a casting reel rather than spin, and if I'm right, I would use a simple spiral guide setup.

The use of a rod holder, as mentioned, should factor into your grip design and material. Hard to beat exotic burl cork for a rod like this. (very tough stuff)

I would do a spiral wrap and i would put a gimbal on the butt so as the boat is under way the reel is not getting beat up spinning around..

You need to figure out if it is a stand up rod or one that fishes off the rail or in a fighting chair. Because it is only rated for up to 40# it seems it would be a stand up rod. Is it going to be a spinning or conventional reel rod? Figure out what you want and this site can help you with the right information.

Alex,
As Lance suggested, with more information I’ll be glad to offer my ideas for you; salt (I assume) or fresh, casting (I assume) or spinning, stand-up (I assume) or rail-rod or trolling (East or West coast), top live bait, jigs or bottom, and anything else you can think of to explain the conditions / methods in which it will be fished. Be forewarned that I am pretty much a Fuji guy.

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

Couple things to consider:

how tall is the reel you will be fishing it with? Taller reel = taller stripping guide. Probably either a 25 or 20. For the rest of the guides what kind of line and connections will you plan on running? Anything bulky would probably need a size 10 tip and runners. I personally like the Fuji MN or Alps MXN guides for these style of rods.

For grips I find EVA either plain or with a casing of shrink tube works well. For a seat for this class of rod I really like the Fuji HD seats, but aluminum ones may be your preference. Slick butts also are nice for this type of rod if it’s going to be fished in the holder a lot.

Also if you are fishing in a holder a lot you may want to incorporate a gimbal or possibly a rounded rubber gimbal. It’s nice for the rods to stay upright while in the rod holder like for trolling or drift fishing.

Apparently, Alex has “left the building”.

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