Aaron, First of all, I apologize for stepping on your post. Kent, Thank you for taking the time to supply me with the photo of the first rod in its relaxed state. As with my spirals, your line path is not as straight while in the relaxed state as when a 90* load is applied, hence the request for the photo. I have found that it is often easier to get a straight line path under load with a spir
Forum: rodboard

Kent, I have already stated in a previous post (with your same photo) how well you did with the placement of the spiraled guides / line path = that is how it should be under load = good job. Is it possible to show a photo of the same rod and its line path without a load? Additionally, I noticed, in the photo, the line path PAST the tip top coming right back towards the reel which does not seem t
Forum: rodboard

Phil, Allow me to suggest your conception of “(line release)” timing may be off, possibly way off. When the line is restricted/kept from pulling off the spool (fly= hand, spin = finger or casting = thumb), the abrupt forward motion of the rod (cast) subjects the blank to flexing simply due to the weight of the line / weight / lure restricting the the free movement of the blank in its straight,
Forum: rodboard

Ron, If the bamboo blank has not been cut/sectioned yet, the ultimate would be a CARL ferrule, much better than a chrome-plated brass ferrule or even a hand-drawn NS ferrule. While initially intended and developed for traditional round blanks, it can also be employed for a 6-sided bamboo blank! Look for the CARL article in the most recent issue of RodMaker magazine, V-24, I-3 or contact me dire
Forum: rodboard

Russell, Listen to Norman = he’s a smart cookie! I set-up my reduction train differently but the end result is the same = a bullseye with the guides down, in the fishing position. From time-to-time, I will employ something learned from another smart cookie, Roger Wilson; with the reel mounted and the guides in their temporary positions, I will thread the line through all the guides and pull out
Forum: rodboard

Peter, Fuji’s new Corrosion Control treatment in the “BC” finish is a very dark, matte grey, almost black. Personally, I really like the look of them as well as the “CC” (matte silver) BETTER than the black or polished previous offerings. The old powder-coated black coating could (and would) chip, leaving the guides to look quite dingy after time. While I commend Fuji for developing their new Co
Forum: rodboard

Denham, I can appreciate your consternation = a size 30 only 18.5in from the spool does not seem correct to me either. But, admittedly, I am not well-versed in surf spinning rods either = sorry, I am not qualified to offer assistance. Although I am not sure how many surf rods he builds, hopefully Norman Miller can offer some help or possibly Mr. Fuji himself, Jim Ising, will offer his insight. I
Forum: rodboard

While tine type certainly plays an important role in the performance of an UL spinning rod, especially a KR Concept build, my replies have been more directed to the other part of the equation = reel (spool) size. The vast majority of spin anglers in my neck-of-the-woods, the Eastern Sierra, employ mono, some fluoro, and then like me, hybrid mono/fluoro, but braid is rarely seen! Amongst us in t
Forum: rodboard

Thanks, Tom = that makes sense. Anyone else have any input?
Forum: rodboard

Russell, 2X Norman’s reply; maybe he said it better than I did.
Forum: rodboard

Russell, Both David and Roger offer valid advice concerning reel size for UL fishing rods and I cannot really argue with them. Generally, the true UL, 50 - 100 size spinning reels have a rather small diameter spool which equates to the tendency to induce “pig-tails” in mono or fluoro. Nonetheless, such reels are preferred by many serious backpackers for their smaller size and less weight, a very
Forum: rodboard

Michael, This topic (and I think the same article) came-up about two months ago. While I found the method to be interesting, dare I say intriguing, I cannot see the benefit of rotating the thread around the stationary blank. It seems to me that wrapping the stationary thread around a rotating blank would be easier and certainly less bulky. Additionally, how would someone perform any involved wra
Forum: rodboard

Lee, Attempting to cast a light 1/32oz - 1/16oz typical trout lure with a casting reel is expecting too much from all but the most proficient bait-casting anglers. Yes, it can be done, but why not employ a spinning reel to make the fishing experience more easy and enjoyable? While a 5ft rod would be beneficial when fishing small streams with overgrown banks, a 6ft - 7-ft rod will certainly cast
Forum: rodboard

Who can argue with a legend like Gary Loomis? That being said, just as he did, thinking outside-the box is what instigates ingenuity and progression. Mr. Loomis is a fine example for all of us to attempt to follow!
Forum: rodboard

Michael and Roger, I think it is safe to say that most (the three of us anyway) agree that submerging a reel is not a good idea. As Michael’s son discovered, I thought I was doing my new Daiwa Saltist 2-speed a favor by soaking it in freshwater but quickly learned it was actually damaging it. Now I simply spray it off, wipe dry and let it sit in open air for a week to thoroughly dry, inside-out
Forum: rodboard

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to all blessed (or cursed lol) with the title. Hopefully you are able (allowed lol) to go out and “test” some of the rods you have been creating!!!
Forum: rodboard

Dennis, Personally, I prefer a 6ft, 80lb or 100lb regular stand-up rod, but I am old and hence old-school. When I first started deep sea fishing in the early 1980s, we were not allowed to rest the rod on the mahogany rail of the charter boats! I guess they charge enough these days to be able to refinish them more often. Although I am 68 years old and 160lb, I never needed to rest my rod on the r
Forum: rodboard

Mark, I would have guessed the replies / suggestions to be either PG or Birchwood Casey’s Tru Oil. I, too, would not have thought of Gorilla Glue; I will remember that = thanks, Jim. I have used PG for wood projects, related or unrelated to rod building, with very good results. I have also used Tru Oil with good success but do not think it is quite as durable as PG or thread finish.
Forum: rodboard

Thanks, Roger. That may be the best idea yet. The grips are of my most concern as they are subjected to the vast majority of scales and the few that make it onto the blank usually come off fairly easily. I would only need a tube long enough to cover the grips. I have wrapped the grips in wet towels before for a few hours with modest success; your idea may be just the ticket.
Forum: rodboard

Russell, Thank you for the confidence; I’m humbled. I always try to learn from you on how it’s done on the SoEast coast! Truth-be-told though, while I have been on numerous overnight trips to the local islands of Catalina and San Clemente and the Channel Islands off Santa Barbara, I have only been on two “extended”, 3-day trips but never a 7-day “long-range” trip. Although it happens now and the
Forum: rodboard

Dennis, First off, I can hardly be considered an authority on the subject but learned so much from the “Stand-Up Rods” article to have enabled me to build a few very nice stand-up rods up to 100lb. GET THE ARTICLE! Other than bragging rights, I see no need for a 130lb rod from your description of targeted species. While “rail-rods'' may becoming more popular, requiring an extra 6-12in in length
Forum: rodboard

Dennis, Russell is precisely correct on all counts, most importantly that more information is needed. I will add my opinion that going directly from inshore fishing to a 130lb class rod may be a HUGE mistake, whether designed for a fighting chair or more so, stand-up fishing! Unless you are over 250lb and follow a strict fitness program, that line class can easily overpower an angler and put the
Forum: rodboard

Thank you to those who took the time to reply. While there may be those who do not consider it of utmost importance, I take extremely good care of my equipment; the rods I built 6 years ago still look like the day I finished them; even the rods purchased 20-30 years ago still look good, albeit a scratch or two here and there. While washing-down the boat after an offshore outing, we always spray-
Forum: rodboard

While not directly pertaining to rod building but certainly associated, what have all of you found to be the best preventative to keep, or at least minimize, fish scales from “bonding” themselves to the blank and grips (and everything else for that matter)? I freshwater-rinse, wipe dry and apply a coat of carnauba wax to all my rods (especially saltwater) after each outing. While the wax seems to
Forum: rodboard

David, My dad taught me about lubricating the old metal ferrules with the natural skin oil from a quick wipe on the side of the nose. Dad is 98 years old now = that was well over 50 years ago! While Roger’s veteran knowledge, insight, intellect and willingness to share is more than respected, I may have to side with Tom on this one, unless of course you are referring to hand-drawn NS ferrules. T
Forum: rodboard

Chris, Below is a copy of my reply to the post by Eric Loos’ post 2 days ago. Nothing has changed since then and doubt it will in the foreseeable future… Using the search function, find, understand and utilize the Two Line Static Load Test procedure for guide placement and never look back. It is all you need to know. All charts are ballpark guestiments at best and only offer generic suggestions
Forum: rodboard

Fred, You can expect a number of pages of replies on this topic. Can PG be used as a thread finish? = Certainly. Is PG better than epoxy for thread wraps? It depends on precisely what one is attempting to accomplish. This is where the following pages will offer insight and opinions, possibly so much as to confuse the reader. Both contain the movement of, and encapsulate, the thread so it can p
Forum: rodboard

Eric, It is almost guaranteed you will keep your first build forever. If you were to get a response from all the builders on this site, I think you would find very few who have gotten rid of their first build. I have kept mine if for no other reason than to gage how much I have learned since then. I was very proud of the accomplishment with that first rod at that time but now it looks kinda dump
Forum: rodboard

Eric, Using the search function, find, understand and utilize the Two Line Static Load Test procedure for guide placement and never look back. It is all you need to know. All charts are ballpark guestiments at best and only offer generic suggestions for generic rods purchased through generic suppliers for sale to the generic public; however, we (and you as well), build custom rods which are far
Forum: rodboard

Guy, I also agree that Russell offered good advice, especially concerning spiral wrapping the guides. If you do not already know, learn how to tie the FG knot; it is the thinnest possible, distributes line stress over a larger area of the knot = ultimately stronger, and 50lb braid will easily pass through a size 6 guide. Fuji KWs for rods up to 40lb (with optional single foot KB runners), HBs to
Forum: rodboard