I work with a bunch of disadvantaged kids at a summer camp when school is out and a few times a week after school when school is in. I volunteer with the arts and crafts and I'm always amazed at what they can put together with just odds and ends. Last week I brought in a box of empty small thread spools. There must have been a hundred of them. Why I kept them is beyond me but by the end of the da
Forum: rodboard

I'm a hardcore flounder fisherman and have used a number of different rods from different companies. My favorite blank by far and the one I use for all tournaments is the MHX L 842. Just enough power to enjoy the fight and get your fish on the boat. I tried the L844 for flounder and it has a bit too much power for my liking unless you've latched on to a 10+ pounder Kiss her where it stinks..
Forum: rodboard

I'm finding the same problems with their metallics, more knots than should be acceptable. I was amazed at how many times a piece unwound after cutting a 10-12 inch piece and just letting it dangle. It was wound up tighter than a clock spring. Hopefully someone from American Tackle is paying attention to these posts and takes some action to correct this problem.
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Sadly it's becoming more 'Made on Earth' than anything else.
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Got one today. Very nice. Well built and solid. However if you're looking for something light weight this isn't it. I was surprised how heavy it is. It weighed in at 2.6 oz.
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This may sound weird but I'm wondering if it's possible to create a flat finish (non-glossy) when epoxying guides?
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A friend brought me a surf rod to install a reel seat on. It's a 16' 2 piece made by Hatteras Jack and doesn't have any grips or a reel seat on it presently. He uses some sort of clamping to change the postion of the reel for his different casting styles.The entire bottom piece is covered with pretty hefty shrink wrap, I assume for a better grip. The outside diameter where he wants the reel seat
Forum: rodboard

Both Grizzley and WoodCraft offer brad point bits in the 9' range. Woodcraft carries the Colt extra long bits. The complete set of 8 is around $100 but you can buy individual bits to suit your needs.
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I'd definately have to find something else to use. Peanut Butter is a major food group and I couldn't see wasting it on something that DNA would usually take care of.
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I've used them for several seasons now on my flounder and red fish rods and they see a tremendous amount of almost daily use with both braid and mono. They have been my guide of choice on the inshore rods I build. I have an order in now for some to be used on a couple of off shore live bait rods. I don't foresee any problems there either.
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I'd like that info on making them myself as well if you don't mind sending it. Thanks, Richard
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I've been wondering why they have been so 'Elusive'? Production problems? They're my guide of choice for my inshore rods and have been hard to get until now.
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I was certain I had the winning number for the recent Mega Millions $319M jackpot, especially since when I bought the ticket I asked the guy to punch in the secret code that spits out the winning ticket. After finding out I didn't win I decided to suck it up and head over to the local Harbour Freight and finally buy the new lathe I would have bought with my new winnings. Along with a new center c
Forum: rodboard

I'm building my 1st live bait rod and looking for guide recommendations it's a 7 ft Gator blank. I'll be using a Penn Slammer 760L, 25-30# mono but may consider 50# braid. Thanks
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Got it. Thank you very much.
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Thanks. I think I unhid my e-mail. not sure if I did it right
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Is there any sort of computer program that is used to keep historical data on rods that have been built, perhaps showing layouts, parts used, etc? Thanks
Forum: rodboard

They are my guide of choice. No issues with mono or braid. Very light weight and sturdy and stand up well to all the usual abuse rods take in the course of a summer of fishing
Forum: rodboard

Thank you for the input. Hopefully I'll find a deal on a couple of these blanks at the show.
Forum: rodboard

I want to build a couple of new trolling rods for my boat. I troll mostly for spanish and king mackrel just offshore and over some of the near shore reefs. The spanish here usually run anywhere from 2-6 lbs and occassionally higher. The kings usually run between 15-20 lbs nearshore with an occasional 30+ lb smoker. I use both #1 and #2 planers and the reels will be Penn 330LD lever drags. What wo
Forum: rodboard

Will there be back issues of Rod Maker available for sale at the ICRBE?
Forum: rodboard

In the latest edition of Rodmaker magazine there is an interesting article by Mr. Kirkman on a rods spine which basically says that everything you've ever read about in books, seen on videos or have learned from others is an unnessary step in a build. What I find even more interesting is that on this forum nobody has come forward to discuss and/or dispute that claim. Any takers?
Forum: rodboard