For a size 1000 reel, a size 16 is the appropriate size reel seat. I have built several hundred rods, most with size 16 reel seats, and they will handle all of my reels from size 5 through 30, and would possibly handle my larger reels if I tried. I have never had an issue with fitting a reel in the seat. The only possible issue could be if the hoods are not far enough apart for the reel seat fe
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The Bushido blanks are one of my favorite lines. I absolutely love the SP72-2/4-8 2-piece spinning blank for Trout Fishing! I have several now, and will probably buy even more as I build rods for others! I also am a huge fan of their Matrix Series - love the carbon fiber weave in the butt section...
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I am extremely pleased with the Aero CCT reel seats, expecially when matched with the G2 rod handle system. Doesn't get much better than that, and it's a lightweight combination as well. Paired with the new Microwave 25's, you can have a truly custom rod with high tech components that really perform. Rich Bowers TroutStyx Custom Rods
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Robert, I have never built with the Fuji KR Concept guides, but I have done some tests on the MicroWave guides as compared to the old standard "Cone of Flight" guide train. I took identical blanks and built one with the MW 30's and the other with the AT NanoLite Ring-Lock single-foot spinning guides (30-25-20-16-12-10-8 "Cone of Flight") I then went with a friend to a foo
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Looking forward to testing my skills against the best in the world! Will also keep me out of my wife's hair for much of the winter...
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Robert, I have used the 12/6 Microwave Strippers on 3, 4, and 5 weight rods, and the 18/8 on 5 and 6 weight rods. I now use them on every fly rod I build because they do such a good job passing the line along to the running guides. I even had to modify my casting because I was suddenly overshooting my targets! They are that good!
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Can't wait for these to be available! Got big plans for them with a couple inshore rods... Great looking and outstanding functionality!!
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Hmmm. mush? Should have read "much"...
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I would use the Microwave finesse set, or the Black on Black Airwaves. Both are phenomenal, and mush of the guide spacing is already laid out for you.
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I can't wait for these to be available, they will be a great option to retro-fit an older rod, and will be the talk of the town when used in a new build! The hand-laid carbon fiber reel seat is spectacular!
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The American Tackle Microwave stripper guides (18/8 & 12/6) have improved my fly casting way more than I deserve!! I put an 18/8 on a 5-wt 9' 3" fast action fly-rod and was overcasting my targets by several feet!! And I am not a good fly-caster! Made up another similar rod for a Fly Fishing guide and he loves it as well.
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I have built many rods on various Bushido blanks and IMO, you can't go wrong with them. Their quality is far superior to any other blank at a similar price point, and even better than many at much higher price points. I would not hesitate to use a Bushido blank, or any of the AT family of blanks for that matter... Excellent quality and price, a winning combination!
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I have been building rods for 48 years, and ALWAYS spine my spinning and casting rods. For a spinning rod, I put my guides opposite the stiff side for two reasons; 1) greater casting difference 2) more accuracy. While I cannot quantify the casting difference, I can definitely attest to the greater accuracy. In a test, I temporarily wrapped a spinning rod with the spine opposite the spine, an
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Randy, I have never used heavier silk thread, but when wrapping a split bamboo rod, I was very frustrated at the low breaking strength of the silk (size 50) I must have broken the thread a dozen times on that one rod alone. I have used polyester, cotton and nylon threads, and in my opinion, they were stronger, I have never had them break in mid-wrap. You do however need to pay attention to
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I was a serious skeptic - I could not believe they could outperform the accepted standard for over a hundred years, but I was wrong!! I wrapped two identical blanks, one with the Microwave guides and the other with a standard "cone of flight" set. I then took three different reels with three different types of line and cast a 1/4 oz lure 10 times with each rod/reel combination on a fo
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I have typically measured from the top of the guide and it always seems to work out well. One thing to take into consideration is whether or not you will be using different reels on the rod. Differnt reels have different profiles and it can change the position of the spool, so if you plan to use various different reels, measure with the one you will use most often.
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Frank, I would consider the American Tackle Bushido line. They have an excellent price point for rods using the high-tech nano resin, and speaking from experience, they work very well and have great quality control. There are several that would fit your parameters. In the next couple months, they are even bringing out Bushido Fly blanks - can't wait to get my hands on their 3-weight!! If
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I have to agree with Randy on the Bushido SJ series, they are great blanks with a nice price point for a rod with the nano-particle resin. If you are looking for something with an action that is not quite as fast as the Spin/Jig series, there is the Drop Shot blanks, where the DS69/4-10 is again a great light line blank. It is a little shorter than the rod Randy mentioned, with a slightly softe
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Tom, I collect broken and hard-used rods that I repair and freshen up so I can donate them to local kids fishing derbies. I have run the gamut from extra hard and brittle epoxies all the way to the same kind you experienced, soft and easily removed, and the clarity has generally been a light amber but has been like caramel in some instances. In my experience, most of the softer epoxies appea
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I would imaging there are many variables that can affect how you modify these rods, including their application. If these are for a heavy off-shore application, you could go with the aluminum or wooden handle assemblies, installing the ferrule piece on the end of the cut-down blank. If you are talking fresh-water trolling, for species like Walleye, I would go with Roger's recommendation. The
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I have always used double-foot guides for strippers on fly rods, and have made rods fro 2-wt through 12-wt, ranging from 6 1/2 tf through 11 ft. There are a few reasons, tradition being but one of them. The stability of the guide is another, with the stress from the hand action of strippinr, double-hauling, etc. The ability to use different materials for the stripper guide also lends a lot of
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I have several spinning rods I have built using the Microwave guides, and am extremely pleased with their performance. The variety of sizes and styles will accommodate any fishing situation, and I have even seen where a Jigging Rod was wrapped in spiral fashion. I have a new set of Microwave 30's (mid-size between the originals and the CarpCasters) and can't wait to get them on a Steelhead rod.
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