Tiger decal.
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Batson 12mm
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Simple wraps. The blue hue of the blank really complemented the dark blue wraps in the sunlight.
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The thread matches the blank almost perfectly. Shouldn't have used it for a trim wrap. IIRC, it is Sunburst.
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Extra long split grip, but not past the elbow.
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These are two cranking rods, one autographed by Skeet Reese.
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Auburn fans?
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Lower is autographed by Skeet Reese when he was at the Southern Challenge.
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Reverse taper front grip, Heavy blank, Batson guides. 5.6oz Tiger wrap'd but hard to see.
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Stretching it too much can also rip the inlays on EVA. Only takes a second to open up the ID and I feel it makes the work a bit easier.
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On casting rods, I ream and glue the carbon grips to the blank and finish it all together (blank, grips) before gluing up the reel seat. These are usually split grips and I have something between them like a tiger wrap and decal. Doing it all at once gets the first coat on my tiger wrap base.
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I've used a Portaband. Seems a bit easier than a cut off wheel. Covered the rear cut with a EVA butt that worked out pretty well.
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On the kick of stress concentrations- There may be a slight stress concentration ahead of the ferrule. However, if it caused the rod to break under an applied load, then it wasn't designed correctly in the first place. It turns out that rods don't break unless abused- and sometimes they don't break when abused. There is a thing called "design stresses" which are > "actual
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I put some teflon tape on the thread to keep the wing nuts from moving. Anthony AKRods
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I have always liked the Helium LTX handles. I guess it is time for me to pour foam. Especially since I do it at work anyway... Anthony AKRods
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I agree with Mr. Vivona. They don't look too comfortable. I don't mind the extra innovation though. Anthony AKRods
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I have made some frog rods with a reverse taper front grip. I did it as another way to not throw the rod in the water on those hurling casts. I'll post a pic. Anthony AKRods
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It just keeps the rod tip down. The effect in the hands is so slight I doubt it makes real difference either way. I am only talking about a couple of inches in front of the reel seat at most. AKRods
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I think they make for more accurate casts. It is only a little forward of neutral though. I also like a bit tip heavy with still lure rods to keep the rod slightly below neutral to make for better hooksets. It is all up to the customer though. I try to get as much information out of them to get what they want. Anthony AKRods
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I think the length of grip is more important than balance, and I will usually only move a reel seat maybe 1/2" either way if I need to change point of balance. Anthony AKRods
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I builId almost all bass rods and almost never purposely balance a casting rod. I find that most all of them balance right in front of the reel regardless. I think the only rods that need any kind of balance are those used for still baits like soft plastics and jigs. It doesn't make sense to balance moving bait rods. I like spinning rods to be a bit tip heavy, but most of the ones I b
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The only bass anglers I see using foregrips for anything are the old skool round reel users that hold the foregrip and the line with their left hand while reeling with their right. Like Tuberville. He does that. Anthony AKRods
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I have built a handful of rods on the Lamiglas MB84 1E glass blank and I have had no complaints. It is an excellent med-heavy cranking rod. Finished weight is 5.3oz with micro Alconites and split-grip EVA, ECS17-17mm. I could probably take 0.1oz off or so without the 12gauge buttcap. Anthony Robertson AKRods
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It took me about a week and a half to get a back copy that I ordered. I didn't get any confirmation either, but it got here. Anthony AKRods
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You could get all the grips/reel seats glued up in a night, set them aside and wrap the spinning rod. Could epoxy it that night or put the decal on and wait one. Why not try the High-build and do one coat? I don't see why it can't be done. Adapt, Improvise, Overcome. Anthony AKRods
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I like to mix my grip finishes up. Some of them are burnished smooth with 400grit , some of them I leave cut up with 60grit. the rough grips eventually smooth out anyway. Anthony
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Moth Inlay maybe? Anthony AKRods
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Are you fitting the butt cap into the handle? If not, you could leave a foam cap a bit proud and round the edges. I think that looks good. If my rods didn't have big butt caps my ribs would break. Anthony
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The $139 Kistler are the Graphite Series. I have a couple of the Helium LTAs but I wouldn't pay retail or close for one. They are light and sensitive though I have a friend who has broken one on a hookset. I don't like there silly lying marketing. Anthony Robertson AKRods
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I think it really has to do with the rating of the blank. While lighter or heavier guides change the feel somewhat, I find that the rating of the blank is a bit more subjective than some people believe. I use the rating as a guideline and go for what "feels" right. I have two rods I built with the same exact blank. On one rod I feel comfortable throwing a 1/2oz double willow blade,
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