Recently finished a XMB843 using mostly #3 micros, Pearsall's 6/0, and TM Lite. I really like the transparent look (no cp) and would like to do more of the same type in the future. Mostly building rods for jigging lake trout, I just wondered if there were any "cons" of using silk vs. nylon for this application. Thanks!
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Hi Scott -- for lake trout jigging using similar 1/2 - 1oz. jigs, 50 - 100fow, my rod of choice has been a 7' SCIV, in either MF or MHF. As a sidenote, I just received a couple of very nice blanks today (thanks to a very helpful recommendation from Bob at Custom Tackle) that look like the cat's meow for this application, Rainshadow RX7 ISF904.
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To keep my glued-up cork grip from spinning on the mandrel, I lay a flat toothpick parallel on the mandrel and insert the cork into it. One toothpick usually keeps the cork from spinning, if not, add another at 180 degress on the other end. Simple and works great, especially for small, split grip sections. I go "wax-free" also, and clean up the mandrel with steel wool when done.
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...almost same scenario a couple of weeks ago, Murphy struck. Rotated a just-finished rod by hand for a half hour or so, making sure everything was leveled and looking good. Flipped on the dryer and left for work. Came home to a mess. Found that the plastic cable tie that holds the outer portion of the dryer on slipped off, rotated it's merry way four feet or so up to my first V support, and
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Could anyone please pass along the length of an Abu Garcia Cardinal 101 spinning reel foot? I would like to trim reel seat threads accordingly based on this measurement (no foregrip). It's a gift rod and I can't get my hands on the reel! Many Thanks for any help - sincerely appreciated!
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Steve, sorry for the confusion, in a hurry at work! Thanks for starting this thread also - I'm probably in a boat with many here that regard it as a greatly appreciated, continuous learning experience! Just a personal setup "quirk" I guess, I'm using micros on just about every build now. For jigging-only purposes though, I've stuck with the simple spiral (bumper) setup, and foun
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...very happy with the overall feel and casting results of several rods that I've used #4sf guides on lately - will test smaller sf's soon. 6' ul and light spinning: #20 byag, #10 byag, #4 Batson sf choke and running guides, concept method employed. Split cork grip w/ Aero seat. Questioned using a larger (#5 or #6) choke guide, but the #4 seems to work fine. 7' m and mf casting: #8 bln
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Thanks everyone, appreciated. I've been using the Fuji BY series mostly, but will dig out some M guides to test. I'll do some test casting this week and report back with the results if all goes well.
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Just curious after reading some past posts...what the steps would be to set up (bass) spinning rods implementing a smaller butt guide (16, 10, etc). Hit or miss test casting? Am I correct in thinking that finding the location of a choke guide must be discarded, d/t the lower line path created by the smaller butt guide? Butt guide still 17 - 23" from spool face? Planning on micros for
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I recently built up a "bumpered" 3C70MF designated for jigging. Used #8 blnag, a #5 Batson sf (bumper), and #4 Batson micros on out, including tip. Split grip, foregrip-free, without any other "decorative" weight added (thread, inlays, etc.) So far, so good - light as a feather and zero casting problems. (My only wish now is for sturdier, and larger-tubed micro tip tops
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Thanks Tom, switched my brain on finally. Giving Permagloss a go.
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Thanks for that option George, appreciated!
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Tom, I was thinking of using a light coat of Tru-oil as a stain to darken the blank just a bit, then top coating with the spar urethane. Sounds like they don't gel together from your reply though. I may just go with using the urethane only now. Thanks! Mike
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Thanks Cody, appreciated! I may go the Permagloss route for the guide wraps. This rod was one of the mass-produced "J.C. Higgins", handed to me by a friend only asking for a tip top replacement. It was in pretty rough overall shape - I'm having fun completely revamping it, he's in for a surprise. Thanks again!
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...restoring a bamboo flyrod, varnish has been stripped. Any "hiccups" with the following recovery order?: Apply Tru-oil, allow to dry. Apply Helmsman Spar Urethane, allow to dry. Wrap guides, finish wraps with a couple light coats of TM Lite. Many Thanks! Mike
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Thanks Bobby, I appreciate the help and may give you a call! I'll take a look at some thinner-walled tips this evening and see how it goes. Thanks again, Mike
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I haven't tried either Scott, but will also attempt x-acto surgery on a micro tip this evening to fit a 6.5 tip. (Man the bandaids!) Really hoping that micro tips with larger tube sizes will be available soon!
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Thanks Scott, I think a Forhan or similar spiral may be the ticket when starting out with small, low-ringed guides. It would be nice to get away with a bumper setup using the single transitional guide, but the use of two micros instead (60deg, 120deg?) should only reduce weight further anyhow. Your setup sounds great, it must result in a very nice, lightweight rod! Appreciated, Mike
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Thanks Tom and Steve, appreciated. I really have enjoyed the bumper system so far, many of the casting rods I build are for lake trout jigging and the torque-free feature really shines. Steve, do you bother using any type of spiral wrap at all? I wondered if one was even necessary having the line so close to the blank when using these small micros. Thanks again, Mike
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...just delving into the use of micro guides, and really liking the results. I'm building a 7' casting rod, and just wondered if other's have tried using smaller initial guides while implementing a bumper setup. Previously, I typically used a #10 blnag, #6 blag bumper, then a #8 blnag for the first 180deg ("bottom") guide. On this rod, I tried substituting using smaller guides - #6
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Highly recommend Billy Vivona's "Decorative Wraps" book for easy to follow, detailed instructions for this wrap (and many others). Basically wrap in one direction (r or l), then continue by wrapping the same sequence of colors in the opposite. One of my favorite open wraps - very simple (quick!), and very striking when completed.
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Thanks Scott! I appreciate your help. This rod will be used in a similar manner on the NY Finger Lakes for smallmouth.
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Thanks Les. I've read many good reviews on those 68MXF blanks, guess there's only one way to find out!
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Thanks Bill!
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Thanks Billy and Matt, I'll look into those suggestions. I was also looking at some CTS spin/jig blanks. I appreciate your help!
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Looking for a really good blank for veritcal fishing 3/8 -1/2oz. tube jigs. So far, St. Croix's Med/Fast series in 6'6 or 7' look to fit the bill, but I sincerely appreciate other suggestions! Many thanks, Mike
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Thank you Jim and Hank, I really appreciate the help and extra info! Mike
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Just studying the 720 form - line 110 correct? (Library article mentions line 41). Thank you, Mike
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Thanks Tom, the rings do align great (archery target). I've rarely had a problem positioning guides using the concept method, just thinking here about how to balance the weight-saving micros vs possibly adding an extra transition guide. I wondered if this would be a case, if an extra (third) transition guide was required, to pull the choke guide back into alignment with the (two) transitio
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(Still) attempting to set up guides on a 6' 10" RX7 ISB822.5 blank, and want to try out some 3mm running guides when they arrive. Using the concept setup, I'm at 20 - 10 - 5, 3's... with the choke guide (#5) 30.5" from the tip, and a #20byag butt guide 48.5" from tip. (An 18" span with one guide in the middle.) I just wondered if this setup was in the ballpark to
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