Exhibitor Update as of January 14, 2024- We're just 6 weeks out from the 2024 Expo. Here is the latest update of the companies and firms that will be exhibiting at this year's event. There are a small handful of contracts still out but what you see here will be the bulk of those attending. Exhibitor square footage will likely be the largest in Expo history as so many companies have purchased add
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Only the main forum. When I started this place way back in 2001 there was an option to have several forum categories but after quite a bit of consideration I decided to have everything in just one category - one overall place. It put all the posts in just one place so nobody had to hunt and peck or check different categories every day to see what was going on. It certainly proved to be a wise dec
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Action isn't power - it's where the blank initially flexes. If you apply enough load, all blanks will flex into the butt area. ..........
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If you take an inch off the butt the original action and power will change. Although only by a small amount. The more you trim the more things will change. 5 inches will be noticeable but that doesn't mean you won't like it. Mock it up and slide the handle forward 5 inches and try it. That way you'll know exactly what you'll have if you trim and build it that way. .........
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Unless you're going to be doing a lot of decals-labels, it's hard to go wrong with Decal Connection. I believe that Mud Hole also offers a custom decal service. ......
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Don't know. It depends on several variables such as the reel size and height. I suppose you can start with whatever spacing you have a favorite rod now and see how that works. Adjust as needed once you test cast it a bit. ...........
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Slightly larger. .........
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The bond is between the arbor and seat mating surfaces, not the space between the arbors. Other than special gap-filling epoxies, most epoxies are intended to be used between slip-fit surfaces. ........
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It certainly needn't be any smaller, or you have negated anything gained by using the smallest guide that'll easily pass your knots and/or loop connections. Larger? It doesn't necessarily need to be and will only add a bit more weight in the worst possible place to add it, but it's not going to ruin the rod. There can be one reason to use a tiptop one size larger than your guides, however, and th
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Normally you'd use contact cement for adhering EVA to EVA. Epoxy for adhering to the rod blank. For cork, most use either a quality, waterproof woodworking glue or epoxy for cork to cork and epoxy for cork to rod blank. .............
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You don't need to use all those different sizes. Are you building a casting rod? Start with maybe a 20 and then drop right down to whatever the smallest size you plan to use. The in-between sizes aren't doing anything for you. Number of guides should be determined by a static stress distribution test or you can start with surf rod guide spacing from any company that lists such on their websites.
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Epoxy packed in-between multi-piece arbors would only add weight, not strength. It would also be heavier than the urethane foam arbors in that same space. ............
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There was very little taper on the handle section so the parts mated quickly and when stowed there wasn't a lot of room between the sections. Doubtful you could do anything on your new rod to mimic it. The tapers are what they are. ...........
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Might be difficult downtown, which is where the convention center is located. However, I suspect if you went by Salem Lake, about 10 to 15 minutes to the east of the downtown area, explained the situation to the park staff, they would almost surely let you park the boat there while you run over to the Expo for a bit. They won't be busy that time of year, they're familiar with the Expo and with a
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They're coming. Alex is sending his contract in this week. Several others as well. .........
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As of January 3rd: Exhibitors All Around Fishing American Tackle Anglers Resource Batson Enterprises Bill Ballou's Custom Fish Grips Carolina Cast Pro CORK4US CTS Fishing New Zealand Custom Colored Guides Decal Connection Decorative Studio DreamWeaver Rods EP's Rod & Reel Foundation Outdoors (Mudhole-American Tackle) Hatteras Jack HFF Custom
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That particular site was not owned by Custom Tackle in TN. Mud Hole does not own it. .......
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I can imagine it is frustrating. But with the advent of such small guides and even half sizes, it's often hard to quickly eyeball guides and sort them perfectly. The difference between a 6 and an 8 is evident. The difference between a 4 and 4.5 not so much, particularly for older eyes. ..........
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If you are not using CP on your wraps there is less reason to extend the epoxy beyond the wrap edge. Otherwise you'd want to extend beyond the wrap edge by a tiny bit to seal off the wrap from possible water intrusion. CP will not effectively seal against water over time. ..........
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Don't pack it full of epoxy. You're adding more weight than you are strength. A 3/8 inch overhang to accommodate the fighting butt is of no concern. You'll never stress that area enough to realize any issues. ............
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One company's A is not always the same diameter as another company's A. I seem to recall that the Fuji thread runs a tad smaller than most other companies' similar label size. Hitena might also. So in the absence of AA NCP, you might attempt to find some "smaller" A size NCP. ..............
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I use 2 roughly 1-inch long arbors. If you were to use a full length arbor, it's certainly not going to hurt anything. Any additional weight would be terribly slight as the arbors just don't weigh that much. As far as additional epoxy weight - the fit of the arbor should be close to the rod blank. The amount of epoxy between the two surfaces is absolutely tiny. It's just not of any practical conc
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You can hand wrap on a power wrapper. You can't power wrap on a hand wrapper. If you want to have the option of doing both - get the power wrapper. I am a firm believer in having as many (and of good quality) tools as you can afford. Even used sparingly they make various tasks a pleasure instead of a chore. If you think you might build larger saltwater type rods a power wrapper is invaluable.
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Always start with sources you can trust. The series of videos by FlexCoat are simple, straightforward and have stood the test of time. They won't steer you wrong. Many of the sponsors here also feature videos on their websites or YouTube channels. Get an idea of what's involved and then come back and ask any questions you have. .........
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Almost certainly that 4'11" blank is designed for use in a Uni-Butt. Find out who the manufacturer is and give them a call and ask to be sure. If it's not a blank meant for a Uni-Butt, it'd have to be intended for single piece use as a very heavy stand-up rod. ..........
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A closed wrap is made by continuing to wrap threads until there is no underlying blank or under wrap showing in-between the main center pattern threads. ..........
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Your opinion would match the research. Both the article and book state why casting and spinning rod optimum diameters will be different. ..........
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I didn't say I didn't like your opinion. I simply stated that there is a correct diameter for any particular sized hand, in all situations. If you fully read the article or the book - both state the optimum diameter for spinning and casting reel seats will be different. Casting rods generally take a different diameter grip or seat than a spinning rod because most fishermen will cradle or palm
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It's about proper ergonomics and size doesn't change with stress amounts. Not my opinion, but that of the U.S. military studies into human bio-mechanics and their relation to good ergonomics for tool and control handles, levers, etc. Larger seats weigh more, but the location of that weight changes little. It's too low on the rod to affect much in the way of swing weight, rod speed, etc. ..
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As a few have pointed out here, the size listed in the model number is for the inside of the seat. The outside diameter can vary based on the seat style. In other words, two #20 reel seats may have different outside diameters. Just something to consider. .........
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