The most common mistake when doing a CCS analysis is not securely anchoring the very end of the butt of the rod. Make sure the rod butt does not pivot when weight is added to the tip. If it does than the IP will be lower and the AA will change. I discovered that I made this mistake and most of my initial reading where lower than they should have been, based on known IP numbers. Securely anchor yo
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The choke guide is called a choke guide because of it position, not it’s size. It is the first running guide after the last reduction guide, a position where the line is ‘choked’ going into the rest of the runners. I have been using the KR since they first arrived in the US and I really like them, and have found them to be very durable. Norm
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Oh, as a PS I forgot to mention the Fuji KL-H guides. These are high frame small ring spinning guides that are used as reduction guides to control and rapidly choke the line coming from the spinning reel and to smoothly transition the line to the KB/KT runners. Based on the reel and/or the line used these KL-Hs are grouped for optimal performance. For example, a KL16H stripper groups with KL8H,
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Hope you did not buy the Mudhole KR guide kit. In my opinion, they don’t do a very good job putting the kit together according to Fuji’s recommendations. The difference between the Fuji KB guides and the KT guides is that the KBs have a longer and wider foot but still have the same ring size. The KB guides are meant to be used in the mid section (or belly) of the rod to better resist pullout fo
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You’re welcome. Norm
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For a tentative spacing using a 1000 reel this is what I would start with. From the tip top in inches. 3.5” KT 5 or 4.5 7.5” KT 5 or 4.5 12” KB 5 or 4.5. - Choke guide 17” KL5.5M 22.5” KL8H 28.5” KL16H If you want to go lighter use the Minima4 guides as I mentioned above, in the same positions. This should put the stripper at 18.5” in front of the reel spool and the cho
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It can be done. Norm
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14’ surf rods are hard to find in the continental US. In Hawaii they do use 14’ surf rods for Ulua Rods. Might try to contact a Tackleshop in HI. Carolina Cast Pro sells 13’ blanks The owner Tommy Farmer May know where to get a 14’er. Norm
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In my opinion Mudhole has exceptional service, and I have never had a problem with them. They are always more than willing to stand by their products. The warranty on their blanks is the best I have ever used, it is hassle free and the the replacement is shipped very quickly. Just make sure you register the blank.on the MHX website. I whole heartily endorse them. In fact, I have never had any iss
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Ok fellas, let’s help Bob with some information. Bob, if you want tentative spacing for a KR set up let me know the tip to reel spool distance, or the butt to reel spool distance. Norm
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Any spinning blank can be made into a casting rod and vice versa. A blank is a blank, do with it as you wish. Fuji KR guides are low profile, and are top notch guides. By using smaller lighter guides you also help to balance the rod in your favor. The MHX are a really good bang for the buck, and their warranty is one of the best out there. I bought an MHX EliteX NSJ 843 blank at the Expo and I’
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What’s the distance from the front of the spool to the tip of the rod? You can certainly use KR guides. The Stripper would be a KL16H, folllowed by KL8H, and KL 5.5M for the reduction train. For the choke guide use a KB 5 or 4.5 or 4 followed by KT 5 or 4.5 or 4 runners (I would use 2). The tip top would be a matching Fuji LG. If you wanted a lighter guide train, the use the Minima4 Match
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You can build a casting rod on any type of blank you like. Sounds like a spin jig blank (6’6” or 6’9”) would fit your needs. They have a fast to extra fast tip with plenty of power in the midsection and butt. They are designed for jigging, and also cast very well. There are a lot of very good spin jig blanks out there, including MHX, it depends on how much you want to spend. The Fuji KR concept
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As always, different likes and dislikes. The only way for you to to know for sure is to try one. Norm
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They deserve your gratitude. Norm
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Experimentation is good not bad. Without it we would know nothing! Norm
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My point was, DON’T be hesitant to experiment and satisfy your curiosity. It’s the best way to learn. Norm
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I enjoy trying different things and techniques just to satisfy my curiosity. It’s all about educating yourself through experimentation, how else do you know what’s hype and what’s not, Besides that, it’s fun! Norm
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I did pick up some CrystalCoat from CTS at the Expo. I have not tried it yet, but it is very clear and colorless in the bottles, I.e. no yellow tint in the hardener. Here is the description from CTS. I have also tried the Hitena finish and it reminds me a lot of Threadmaster. Both are excellent in my opinion, if you want a quicker set time and a harder finish. Norm
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Mark, you really did a nice job on that rod support, looks great. Norm
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I don’t think either Sic or Torzite are worth the extra money for most freshwater or light inshore rods. I use mostly Alconite with the corrosion control frames., but if you want Titanium guides you have to move up. I miss the Alconite Titanium guides. Norm
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Sic rings are harder, however, Torzite rings are lighter, stronger, and smoother than Sic rings, or any other ring material for that matter. Norm
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Could also use the molded polyurethane foam grips. Norm
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Sic has a Vicker hardness of about 2200-2400 and Nanolte has a hardness of about 1800. So Sic is harder. However, both are overkill as far as hardness is concerned, since neither will ever groove under normal fishing conditions. Norm
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I don’t think the magic marbling is water based. It is hydrophobic and floats on the surface of water and does not mix with it. I don’t think I would use it on Winn grips because it would defeat the whole concept behind the Winn Dry polymer. Magic marbling can be used on almost anything you might want to marble. Jeremy Reed, a member here on Rodboard, developed the method for mad swirling various
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For weight comparisons, I just weighed some split grip casting rear grips all in the 3 5/8 to 4” range. Winn grip 4” - 12 gm All cork grip 4” - 11 gm Cork & ruberized cork trim 4’ - 16 gm CFX carbon fiber 3 5/8” - 9 gm Batson Carbon fiber 3 3/4” - 13 gm Batson Carbon fiber 4” - 13 gm So the Winn grips are right in there with the other types of grips as far as weight is concerned. For
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Not for me but for my friend’s son who is a pilot in the AirForce and is stationed in Charleston, SC. He loves to fly fish for many inshore species, and always wanted a high end fly rod. I have built every rod he and his brother have ever owned. This will be a wedding gift to him, he is like a nephew to me. Norm
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The only time I have ever used a ferrule lube was when the ferrules were metal. This was to give a snug fit and to prevent them from sticking together making the rod easier to separate. The modern integral tip over butt ferrules really don’t need a ferrule lube, in fact the lube can collect grit and cause unnecessary wear and tear. Norm
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Golfers don’t use Winn grips to reduce feel they use them to increase feel because they give a better grip on the club. I’m not a very good golfer but the really good golfers I have talked to believe that feel is an important part of the game, and they say a better grip throughout the swing means better feel, and more control. Many professional golfers use Winn Grips because they are the best, an
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Use Permagloss. It drys quickly, and gives a very thin, hard and durable finish. However, it may require several coats depending on the depth of finish you want. Norm
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