I see lots of ferrule wraps on tip over butt types that are not very close to the edge which is baffling to me because while it might prevent complete failure it may not stop the initial split right at the edge which is the one thing you most want to prevent .
Forum: rodboard

CTS labels are top notch , no need to epoxy over them . Many people like to apply a carnauba wax to keep their rods looking brand new , if you do this just remember to avoid 'cleaner wax' , get regular non cleaner wax because cleaner waxes have mild abrasives in them which could possibly wear off the label a bit over the long term. Decal connection makes perfect CTS labels and are approved by
Forum: rodboard

I would like to wish all RBO members and sponsors a Happy New Year as well .
Forum: rodboard

If you look through the photos section on this website it will become readily apparent that the overwhelming majority of guide wraps are exceedingly long . Much longer than what one would consider minimal but as many have stated already it's custom rod building and each builder has their reasons for how a build turns out and if they approve that's all that matters. I just build rods for mysel
Forum: rodboard

"I can't recall him ever missing with that single shot but I often unloaded three shots and just scared the rabbits into the next state" Ha ha ha , I bet my father was a worse shot than you , my father (Bless his soul) after 20+ years of hunting ducks managed to nail one flying overhead ( A golden eye) duck but when he went to pick the duck up at the taxidermist the taxidermist
Forum: rodboard

What a thread , didn't expect the the newest and greatest S-2 9 micron fast light and sensitive Zentron blanks to be tossed aside in favor of the much older and less advanced E glass blanks but here we are . To each their own as they say . Ben mentioned he likes the 'Bow and Arrow" aspect of fiberglass but I feel it's only right to remind him that carbon is even better for bow and arrow ma
Forum: rodboard

Here's a thread from last year about the latest offerings in glass.
Forum: rodboard

I noticed St. Croix is using SeaGuide guides and reel seats on their new Seage Surf series rods.
Forum: rodboard

Phil is trying to convince everybody that maximum performance comes down to the angler and the quality of the tool he is equipped with has nothing to do with achieving maximum performance which is complete and utter nonsense and he knows it . Both are equally important , having one and not the other will always be a dismal failure.
Forum: rodboard

I'm very familiar with St. Croix's medium heavy power rated blanks and it looks like the closest match for that in the NFC line would be rated heavy . Just a guess of course based on many rating St. Croix blanks as having a bit more power than competitor blanks in the same designation.
Forum: rodboard

I'm always searching out the latest info on rods and materials and rod manufacturers are always looking to come up with the lightest weight rod blanks and rods possible . ODM which is a manufacturer that I have a lot of skepticism about took a page out of the Winston playbook by offering a blank that has Boron in it claiming it as the ultimate of course with a price tag to match . Most know Cent
Forum: rodboard

I've seen stuff like you're explaining on some bare blanks , it turned out to be no issue at all . Since you got the handles on I assume you have the reel seat on also and if that's the case I would temporarily tape the guides on the blank then attach a reel and put it in a static bend . One line tied directly to the tip top and one coming from the reel and threaded through each guide and out t
Forum: rodboard

After looking at the OP's original post again Mr. Danek is correct I completely missed the 7 foot 'L' rating , I focused on the OP's choices in guide sizes which do not in any way shape or form corelate with a 7 foot light action rod . A KR concept would indeed be the way to go but if the OP insists on using a line type and rating that does not fit well with a KR concept build then why bother .
Forum: rodboard

You need to know the line type and pound test/diameter before you can say a KR concept build would be something to consider since the KR concept is mostly a light line and light braid specific build . Reel model and type is important ESPECIALLY if using mono but less so for braid usage in the 30 pound test and under category .. The fishing the OP is doing sounds like a much more heavy duty build
Forum: rodboard

I know that guys , sarcasm never works on the net .
Forum: rodboard

Don't rule out the Alberto for attaching braid to mono backing on reel spools either as Lynn said he does because it makes a much slimmer profile knot that leaves a much smaller bump in the middle of your spool than say a double uni knot does . An FG is what I prefer but the Alberto is a close second . 150 yards spools of braid never work for me because on long casts you always have that conn
Forum: rodboard

You walk two thousand miles through rough terrain and dense trees to fish off treacherous cliff's in big seas ? As much as I love fishing I myself would most likely opt for a different fishing spot but hey everyone's different . How about transporting the rod in a tube until you reach that location or just use non ceramic guide rings . You can also consider leaving the blank at that locati
Forum: rodboard

"Just wondering what others like" I like the Royal blue color along with fluorescent greens and fluorescent yellow's . Those are the colors that I use on my darkest colored blanks and I use two coats of CP when I use either Nylon or regular Fuji Ultra Poly. I have also extensively used NCP thread's and have been happy with the way they look when finished.
Forum: rodboard

"I would like to buy "salt water safe" guides to build a "medium duty" (30#) salt-water surf rod" Obviously you're talking about corrosion and what Michael said above about rinsing off your rod and guides after fishing in the salt is all that's required to make sure guide frames don't corrode on you . If you want more protection against corrosion, Fuji's corro
Forum: rodboard

Phil loves to ask questions he already knows the answers to .
Forum: rodboard

Robert Flowers. "Buy an Ugly Stick. It's a lot cheaper and will pull in most fish" There are a lot of people out there that judge rod performance and overall quality on the size fish it is able to land which I have always thought was absolutely ridiculous for judging rod performance . An Ugly Stik with the appropriate power rating will land just about anything because it's bu
Forum: rodboard

"The minor anomalies that are inevitably present in all custom handmade products are just one more factor that make it special and unique. Don't beat yourself up too much on perfection" Great point and so true . I used to drive myself batty worrying about such ridiculously minor stuff and when pointing it out to others they said "What are you talking about I don't see anything
Forum: rodboard

I agree with Mr. Baylor, go with the better blank . The reason component choices come secondary to the blank is because it's not what the guides are made of or the ceramic used that makes the biggest difference in a custom build it's the choices and differences in the type and sizing of the guides that make the biggest difference . NFC blanks are very very affordable and discounted heavily , m
Forum: rodboard

Thanks Russ , I'm very familiar with the Black Hole rods and I'm just not a fan . Appreciate the thought though.
Forum: rodboard

I completely forgot about the shipping cost factor for 8 foot blanks that's a very good point. I think a 7'10" RX 10 would work for me . I contacted Batson a while back and asked about why their inshore higher modulus blanks max out at 7'6" and if they ever considered upping the lure weight rating to like 1/2 - 2 or 3/4 - 3 ounce and they said they don't think they would sell many in
Forum: rodboard

I'm looking for the same type of blank Ernie is in the 8 foot length for inshore saltwater . I want to try an XRAY because I'm building it for ultimate sensitivity and the XRAY's are highly praised for their inherent sensitivity . NFC said they were expanding blank choices in the XRAY line over a year ago but I'm still waiting .
Forum: rodboard

I'd be interested in trying out the new RX10's but Batson never seems to offer the blanks I would be interested in , in the 8 foot length unless I'm mistaken . Everything I see maxes out at 7'6" at least in the models I'm interested in, (Inshore saltwater). There is a HUGE difference in feel and performance between the 7'6" and 8 foot lengths . Every blank I have built in the 7'6"
Forum: rodboard

"I'm in no hurry, not anymore..lol" You would think the older you get the faster you need to get things done since the time you got left is dwindling . I heard a comedian say senior citizens should forget the posted speed limits and drive at the speed of their current age , if you're 80 you should drive at 80 mph , 90 then do 90 mph . All older people should have high horsep
Forum: rodboard

"Even more the reason to get it right" Agreed , I wish I wasn't so critical of myself because in the past I would have a tendency to rewrap a rod I built for myself just because a wrap didn't look as good as it could . Even the most minor things would bother me but upon letting others inspect it they thought it was fantastic . I would point to a spot that I wasn't happy with a
Forum: rodboard

I tried to get used to using a power wrapper and I just can't , wrapping by hand has become second nature to me and It's just extremely familiar and comfortable . I have always loved toying around with motors and building things but not for wrapping rods.
Forum: rodboard