Just wondering what you guys see as more popular these days for bass - walleye - panfish - trout - spinning rods, full grips or split grips? Seems to run almost 50/50 for me. The split grips seem to sell because they "look" cool - but the full grip rods always balance a little better.
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For me the newest guide concept is to get to the runners with a single transition guide. Butt guide - transition guide - all runners to the tip. Easier to do with light rods and lines, gets harder as line diameter goes up.
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Hey David - that's what I do - switch the runners and tip top out to size 6's and they work great! The black TiForged should match up perfectly. One can split hairs all day, but the Microwaves work really well to do what they do, and like I said - it's just fun to watch them work!
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Good point Roger. I did same but different - got tired of leaders and went back to fishing straight mono.
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Honestly I think the Microwave runners are not getting enough credit. I replace them because I like size 6 runners - but if you don't mind 5's they are good! And do try them - like it said - it's fun to watch them work!
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I'd say this for sure - You can get pretty affordable sets to try, and just omit the guides you don't like and substitute. Then try a set - it's just fun to watch how they work! And for me the end goal of fishing is to have fun.
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Easy to us no CP needed. The blue is my favorite, but the purple is really sweet for a ladies rod.
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Thanks Lance - I check to verify when I'm working with them, but good to know it should work!
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I love the feel of the Aero Seat up-locking, as I hold with three fingers in front of the reel - it's near perfect. But does anyone know if the Aero seat keeps the reel parallel to the blank, or doe it have a slight tilt? Also - has anyone built with the Dagger seat and matching cork grip? Super nice looking seat, and I have some on the way, and I like that there looks like to metal on the
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The concept is great, they work well, and are easy to use. MW 20 set is really nice - but I prefer size 6 runners, and the Air set is a great concept, but the guides past the Microwave butt guide are not so attractive with the frame filled in. On the Air style I will buy the set, but replace all the guides after the butt guide with others. A simple answer - they work well, and are easy to us
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I am not the worlds greatest fly fisherman. But if you measure casting distance, and watch how the line behaves on your cast, I don't think there is measurable improvement with a size 20, but they are more cumbersome putting rods in cases.
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You bet - that blank is sort of low profile, but it's a great little walleye jig stick too!
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I do a lot of this type fishing, and have used a good variety of blanks. The MHX Shooter in the Lite power is really hard to beat - very light, nice tip, good backbone. It actually feels lighter in hand than the SJ720 due to little larger diameter. Many of the others are just a bit too stiff in the tip.
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After 30 years of rod building, and working with lots of anglers - I find matching the rod to the person as important as what the rod is on it's own. So many variables.
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I didn't have huge issues with other stuff. I can pretty much work with anything, they are all just a little different handling. BUT - Gen 4 is just flat out amazing in all the little (and not so little) details.
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I don't post a whole lot due to just being busy. But I tried Gen 4 high build for the first time today and was really impressed! It didn't start really thin and then thicken noticeably as I worked. It was a nice consistency to work with as soon as mixed - and had a long, even pot life. Bubbles were near NON-EXISTENT! After finishing 8 rods with it - I'm sold!
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I guess I found the Elite Pro's to have a softer tip, but very fast and stiffen quicker than MHX. And it depends on the model too. Both are nice stuff either way.
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The 6'6" LF is in the spinning line for MHX and is really small diameter - nice little blank that I'd use for finesse walleye with 6# line for sure. But if you want to level up in power the SJ781 in the MXH spin jigs is very light and faster/more power - it probably feels lighter in hand than the S782 due to the larger diameter. Elite Pro's feel really nice too, but to me almost are a ta
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American Tackle Vortex Air are really nice, as are the SSR guides from Mud Hole.
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Nice to see it all. Great product, and outstanding people to work with! And on top of it, packaging is always top notch.
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Yes very helpful people - and very knowledgeable.
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Really considering giving Gen 4 a try. Is there much difference between the lite and high build? And how is odor compared to Flex Coat Lite? Trying some FC Lite right now, and it seems to have more order than the UV version, but more work time. Any input appreciated.
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So I have used Flex Coat UV for years, but need more pot life. Tried Flex Coat Lite and it's a step in the right direction. Can anyone comment on how Duragloss LS or Gen 4 compare? Like on one of my other threads - less sharp odor is a plus too.
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Thanks Michael and Tom! I love that line Tom - if it works, then it works. So right.
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I build a lot of UL to Medium spinning rods, most will never see more than 8# mono as the most challenging line to cast, and lot's of light braid. Do many of you guys run a set up with a butt guide, single transition guide, and all runners from there? I still use size 6 runners, just easier to work with building and for my eyes fishing as well. I have been playing with some of the new tangle
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Thanks - are you running the matching tip top or a ceramic tip?
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Do you have many hours on them Steven? And thanks for commenting.
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Wondering if anyone is fishing the Vortex Air guides, and which color? Just got some in the chrome finish, and I know hard chrome holds up really well, but on some builds it's a bit bright. Wondering if anyone is fishing these in the black finish, and if so how it's wearing? Quality - fit and finish looks really nice on the chrome ones I got in.
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No, I'm not suggesting that we go backwards. Today we have the opportunity more for the best of both.
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Yes, I enjoy building on the smaller diameter / thicker wall blanks. They hold up so well. Sometimes I fish next to guys that do things you really shouldn't to a rod, and I just let them without saying anything. I am amazed at what I have seen guys put them through and they don't break. Over the years I have found that durability is just as important as performance.
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