For spinning reels, it's really tough to beat either Stren or Trilene. I have never had a problem with break offs, and the idea that you could use 30# line on a walleye rod because it is 8# dia. doesen't blow my hair back. I have landed more 10# plus fish on 4# mono than I can remember (not all walleyes though!). I think the no-stretch heavy pound super braids account for a lot more busted rod
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Just wondering if anyone has found a brand or style of TN handle slip rings that holds better, or is more comfortable. I have used the graphite rings from Pac Bay and American Tackle, have not tried any aluminum rings in the last 10 years. I am trying to "push" the TN handles and educate fisherman on it's benefits - mixed results so far. Some really get it and can't wait to try i
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William, if you designed and built them yourself, didn't copy factory rods, you should call them custom if you wish. Like Tom said in one of the Rodmaker articles on pricing rods, pricing does vary for many reasons, including skill. If you are pricing your rods according to your skill, I see no reason not to call them custom, so go for it. Good Luck, Marc
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Came accross some musky blanks, 6'3" to 7'0", that only weigh in at 2.50 to 2.80 oz.. Can a rod this size really be durable enough for musky work at those light weights? I realize higher modulus graphite will make the blanks stiffer, but what about over-all strength. I am getting a lot more requests for musky rods and shopping around a little more for blanks. Any info or experie
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Trying my first batch of 15 min. Ultimate Gel, and wondering how long you usually wait to wrap a rod after gluing up the handle. Grips have already been turned, so not much stress on the bond. Thanks, Marc
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I have built on a few Sevier spinning blanks, and been happy with them. I was wondering if anyone has built on the 7'0" 1 pc. lite action? Wondering if it is fast, mod-fast, or moderate. I like these blanks up to 6'6" so far, and would like to build the 7'0" lite, as this is very popular for walleye in this neck of the woods. Thanks, Marc
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Very well put Russ! Marc
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I have seen many "pro" anlgers and tournament guys that rip accross a 300 acre lake, with no regard or appreciation for nature or any other anglers. The fact that they don't appreciate a nice custom rod is no big surprise. Gotta just let that one go. Just like everything else, some people appreciate things, others never will. I agree with Torin, just this week I turned down an ord
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Wondering if anyone has built a heavy Mag Bass casting blank as a musky rod? I am looking at a MBC846, 7'0" , 0.615" butt dia, 6.5 tip dia, blank weight 4 oz., fast action. The specs look close to a lot of musky blanks, but I don't build many bass casting rods so I haven't used this blank. Any info would be great. Thanks, Marc
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Just wondering if anyone has found a good one part adhesive for attaching cork grips and reel seats to the rod blank. I would think with all the technology available there would be a good one part adhesive. Looking forward to any and all info. Thanks, Marc
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I have switched almost 100% to Pac Bay thread. They have some nice colors, and all in stock! They have several greens, but I don't know if you will find an exact match for the Dark Green. Marc
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Just wondering if many of you still get orders/requests for TN handle spinning rods. Seeing that most major manufacturers have dropped the TN, even on ultra-lites, I am wondering if it is because of demand, or is it because of production-manufacturing cost issues?
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I really like both the Pac Bay T2SJ781, and American Tackle AMSJ781-B (-B is for black, which is in stock now). These are both great blanks, not tip heavy at all, very sensitive, and don't break the bank. They are a little lighter action, and a lot more fun to catch average walleye on than some of the heavier models. Both have a lifetime warranty. Happy wrapping, Marc
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Versitex carries both items, and usually good inventory. i don't see a lot of posts about them, but I have worked with them a lot. They have a huge inventory, and good people to work with. Check them out! Marc
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Hey are these guys a subsidiary of Kistler?????????
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I am finding myself building more rods than I ever thought I would. I am wondering if there are any long term health concerns with using epoxy other than sensitization. I have e-mailed a few of the sponsors that manufacture epoxy, but no response yet. I do wear a respirator now when doing handle assembly and finishing. I have been using Diamondite more too. Thanks for any info, Marc
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Just thought I'd post an update on my Diamondite experimenting. With very little learning curve it has become the best one-coat rod finish for UL to Med-lite rods I have ever used!! It stays level and right where you put it, no footballs, no bubbles. You can even marble with it if you time it right! If you haven't tried it, check it out! Marc
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I have used FlexCoat high build for a long time (15 years). Yesterday I tried some LS Supreme high build, and it was much easier to get a nice one coat finish. A lot of guys replied to another post I had saying Threadmaster performance was even better. Just wondering what properties it has, or benefits you guys see with Threadmaster. Thanks, Marc
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Steve, If you haven't tried it yet, you gotta try Flex Coat guide foot adhesive for smaller guides (and bigger ones for that matter). Once you get the hang of the stuff, which is really easy to do, it works awesome! I can't believe that everyone doesen't use it. It's so fast and easy you just have to try it. You can just wrap your guide, and don't have to worry about trimming off rubber ba
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When building lighter freshwater rods, just wondering if anyone has a one-coat finish that they prefer the most. I use a lot of Flex-coat high build, but was thinking of check out some others. Thanks, Marc
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I have been using peel-n-sticks from DC more recently. The biggest things to overcome are getting the decal straight, no air bubbles, and no fingerprints. This is the method I have come up with that works best. Peel a small part of the backing off the decal using your fingers, keeping finger contact as close to the edge of the decal as possible Cut off a small part of the backing, (1/2&quo
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I want to buildi a heated drying box for my wall mounted Pac Bay 4 rod dryer. Just wondering what type of heat sources work best. The main reason I want to do this is to take advantage of Diamondite's quick drying under heat. Thanks, Marc
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I ordered some carbide reamer grit from Merrick Tackle. Wondering if anyone has used this stuff. Any info would be great. Thanks, Marc
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Handle style is usually personal preference. I think you would be most comfortable with a standard style spinning handle, making sure the butt is 10" long at min.. My first choice for any colder weather spinning rod is the traditional Tennessee grip. You could use graphite slip rings, or simply tape the reel to the cork. If you can't find a nice long Tenn. grip, I usually will cut and s
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Mud Hole sells decal material that I have used with gel pens. They also state in can be used with Dry Ink printers. Besides Alps - does anyone use one of these or know where to get one? Not afraid of paying for one, as I know they may be pricey. Thanks, Marc
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Hey DR - verry cool spinning rod!!! Marc
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Just wondering what the pot life is and how well it marbles?
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Just built my first few rods with American Tackle's new ring lock SF fly guides, and the feet are so well preped, size A thread climbs right up no problem!! You do need to check them, and take the sharp edge off from the factory prep job on some - but way better than preping those tiny things. They have them down to size 5's. I used the Duralite rings, along with the A-frame Duralites for th
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Like all things in rod building, it is a matter of craftsmanship as much as materials. I have never had a tape bushing fail. On the Flex Coat rod building video Roger Seiders shows how to do tape bushings, and said he has never had one fail. Graphite/foam arbors must have good fit and be well epoxied to work, if so they work great. Like so many things in rod building, how you do it is as impo
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Always enjoy your posts Mo. I am an ultra-lite nut myself, fishing 4# test or less for 95% of my fishing, including bass, walleye, trout, and even small pike. I haven't used the Rainshadow you mentioned, but have used the St. Croix. I would say it is going to be a little on the stiff side. With 2# you really need some flex. The best rods I have found for 2# line are built from 6'6" 2 wt
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