If going with a microwave system I much much prefer the 25, 8, 6 which is being advertised in this thread . I use either a 25, 10 , 5 or a 25, 12, 6 transition train and it's currently on all my surf rods and it works better than any other setup I've tried and I'm using a long cast reel with a 76 mm spool diameter . The ONLY reason it works so well is because I use braid in the 10 to 14 pound
Forum: rodboard

Line choice is the most important aspect above everything else when talking about spinning reel builds . Reel specs etc... is a distant second. If using light braid it doesn't matter if you have a spinner with a 76MM spool diameter which I have or a reel with a 52 MM spool diameter which I also have . They will both work incredibly well UNTIL you switch to a stronger and larger diameter line. A
Forum: rodboard

The precision in which the angler in the video showed while reeling in was stupendous , will definitely attract the ladies .
Forum: rodboard

Wow , what a heart felt post . Even though I'm certain I had nothing to do with helping you myself it's great to read posts like this because so many forum members really do go out of their way to help their fellow man so I just wanted to say very well done on your part for expressing how you feel . Now as far as Tom goes what can you say that hasn't already been said ? There's a very good
Forum: rodboard

If Quinn , the OP mentioned the line he planned on spooling up with whether it be mono or braid and the pound strength (Which would give a very good indication of what the diameter range the line would be in) it would make choosing the best possible guide types and ring sizes much more tailored to his specific setup but in the event the line type and strength is not known then the recommendations
Forum: rodboard

Once again the most important aspect of an ideal guide train setup when it comes to spinning that you need to know before making suggestions is the line choice . It's not mentioned by anyone here . If the OP is spooling with heavy mono then the above recommendations are good ones but if he's using braid up to 30 pounds the above recommendations are far from ideal . All my MH saltwater insho
Forum: rodboard

Congrats to Aleks and Composite Ventures and as Kent said I'm thrilled Tom will stay around as a moderator . He's irreplaceable .
Forum: rodboard

It definitely works and it does make it much easier to remove and replace a guide if need be . If the user plans on replacing or altering guide placement regularly it's an excellent solution . I've gone with this method myself and the guides are still rock solid and don't move at all unless you really force them with your thumb etc.. I would go with Permagloss as mentioned or a light coat of
Forum: rodboard

Don't be afraid to go small on the running guides , typically surf fisherman use anywhere from size 8 up to size 12 mm runners but after very extensive testing I have gravitated to size 5 mm runners and have used that size not only on my smaller inshore rods but 11 foot surf rods as well . What a major performance difference , I love them . I don't use heavy lines and thick leaders and I neve
Forum: rodboard

Agree with Roger , the 25 mm ring is the best choice if using mono in the 15 to 20 pound range . A 25 mm ring would also be my choice for 30 pound braid but anything up to 20 pound braid a 20 mm ring is fine even on spool diameters considerably larger than a 5000 size Shimano.
Forum: rodboard

David described them not me I just quoted his post .
Forum: rodboard

Alconite is a quality ceramic . If I was planning on targeting mostly long running hard fighting gamefish I might opt for SIC but Alconite is extremely popular and a huge seller for very good reason even on top end rods .
Forum: rodboard

Dup
Forum: rodboard

"Introducing the new TRGS, thermal reactive guide system. The only guide system in the world that adapts to environmental conditions, allowing your rods to cast more accurately, with less effort, and for greater distance in any kind of weather, and with any kind and size of line. You have to experience it to believe it ..... it will touch your very soul" OMG Phil would go absolutely
Forum: rodboard

I second what Phil said .
Forum: rodboard

Contact Herb L and HNL rod blanks on the sponsor list if you're interested in having a custom made blank built to your exact specs . CTS can do it all , they built me a bunch of high performance surf rods blanks with my last couple of blanks also being 10'6 in length with one being rated to handle 2- 4 1/2 ounces and the other 10'6 is rated to handle from 1/2 - 1 3/4 oz . I went with CTS b
Forum: rodboard

Here's a direct link to purchase the issue about surf rod builds .
Forum: rodboard

I have found the same thing Herb has found in that even when using the one line static testing you will find that when you attach a second line the best locations for the guides are exactly where the single line static testing method initially showed they should be. I do employ the second line just to verify however. Now regarding much smaller running guides, I don't follow the one guide pe
Forum: rodboard

Some of the things you can do to lighten up the upper half of a build is to apply minimal epoxy and make sure your wraps end exceedingly close to where the guide foot ends . If you look through the photos section you will see many instances of light rods with runners that have wraps that extend twice the length of the guide foot sometimes more . Much much longer than necessary to hold a small g
Forum: rodboard

Guide height AND guide ring size are both very important in how well your spinning guide reduction train performs . knowing your line type and it's characteristics and reel and spool specs makes things much much easier in determining the best height and ring size choices to go with . Proper height but ring sizes that are overly large for your line type and sizing will allow much too much play (
Forum: rodboard

Dup
Forum: rodboard

Experienced anglers in general can tell just after a few casts if a rod is a real performer or not and so can you Phil . You just like to come across as needing extensive data and measurements to be convinced one rod performs better than another but we all know you can tell just as quickly as any other profoundly experienced angler with many decades under their belt if a rod performs up to their
Forum: rodboard

Philip Bogardus "IMO you will start to understand that the $700 rod casts a better than a $70 rod. If you fish 10 times a year you probably will not ever feel a difference" For anglers that have the skill set to take full advantage of the higher end rod I would agree but in many instances anglers with average skills often come away thinking the higher end blank that costs a
Forum: rodboard

"The original question asked specifically about a 6 inch decorative wrap right above the grip. The answer given in the first response was accurate" Yeah , we all know that but the weight factor regarding performance has taken over and just like yourself and others decided to do , I decided to add my two cents . Don't like the term dynamic efficiency then lets change it to overal
Forum: rodboard

You will rarely find rods built for ultimate performance displayed in rod building books and it's very difficult to find them in the photos section of this website . Most who build for ultimate performance don't bother posting pictures because there is really nothing to show off and that's intentional . Camo rifles , walnut or synthetic stocks, engraved receivers etc.. does not take away
Forum: rodboard

I see lots of ferrule wraps on tip over butt types that are not very close to the edge which is baffling to me because while it might prevent complete failure it may not stop the initial split right at the edge which is the one thing you most want to prevent .
Forum: rodboard

CTS labels are top notch , no need to epoxy over them . Many people like to apply a carnauba wax to keep their rods looking brand new , if you do this just remember to avoid 'cleaner wax' , get regular non cleaner wax because cleaner waxes have mild abrasives in them which could possibly wear off the label a bit over the long term. Decal connection makes perfect CTS labels and are approved by
Forum: rodboard

I would like to wish all RBO members and sponsors a Happy New Year as well .
Forum: rodboard

If you look through the photos section on this website it will become readily apparent that the overwhelming majority of guide wraps are exceedingly long . Much longer than what one would consider minimal but as many have stated already it's custom rod building and each builder has their reasons for how a build turns out and if they approve that's all that matters. I just build rods for mysel
Forum: rodboard

"I can't recall him ever missing with that single shot but I often unloaded three shots and just scared the rabbits into the next state" Ha ha ha , I bet my father was a worse shot than you , my father (Bless his soul) after 20+ years of hunting ducks managed to nail one flying overhead ( A golden eye) duck but when he went to pick the duck up at the taxidermist the taxidermist
Forum: rodboard