I see no mention of the MicroWave Air Guides, which have a slightly larger guide opening and are tough as nails. They also have all the great features of the MicroWave guides, and cost a fraction. No more broken rings to deal with. Vector creases in the running guides make them nearly indestructible. For applications like ultralight rods and light spinning rods, they are remarkable. Set up is ea
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Seriously look at the Bushido DS 69/4-10 Drop Shot blank. You can feel a whisper on these blanks. Extremely fast and very strong. Paired with Microwave Air guides, they are very light, yet strong and tough. The blanks are also technique specific, so when using the semi-vertical drop shot /drag method, you will not miss a take. Mine is also a really sweet blank for using Ned Rigs in Michigan.
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Seriously look at the Bushido DS 69/4-10 Drop Shot blank. You can feel a whisper on these blanks. Extremely fast and very strong. Paired with Microwave Air guides, they are very light, yet strong and tough. The blanks are also technique specific, so when using the semi-vertical drop shot /drag method, you will not miss a take. Mine is also a really sweet blank for using Ned Rigs in Michigan.
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I will be there.. Lord Willing
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Take a Serious look at the American Tackle Bushido CB 72/8-15 or CB 78/ 8-15 Crank Bait rods.. You can pay a lot more, and get a lot less..
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I use the LED DayLight bulbs in my lamps. Big difference between them and the regular bulbs.
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Winn Grips are the real deal. Most of the new Lews Rods are equipped with them. Thy wear very well, and the wetter they get the more grip you have.
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The MRB gathering is going to be Saturday April 8th. It is a great time. Lots of good info, good presentation, and good company.
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I fish both the SJ 72/4-8 and the SJ 72/8-15 as well as the crank bait rod.. CB78/8-15 I use braid on all three rods, and use a Fluorocarbon leader on the Crank bait rod.. with no stretch in the braid, bait twitch speed is not a problem.. My favorite blank is the SJ72/4-8. I really like it for twitching top water Rapalas, and Pop R's.
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Put a set of AirWaves on the rod and get a couple of extra running guides, or if you want to go with a little bigger guides, get a set of the MicroWave 30's with the single foot running guides.
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Looking forward to meeting you at the EXPO..
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Saturday April 8th will be the date for this years Michigan Rod Builders gathering. Doors will be open at 9:00 AM and the programs will start shortly after. This year, programs will be offered on Custom Cork work, Fine and Fancy builds without bling, and Rod Repair. There will also be a raffle and drawings through out the day. Open discussion, and a meal. The meal is pot luck, and road kill
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Dow, looking forward to being there. Especially looking forward to the seminars on Rod Repair, Custom Cork work, Fine and Clean (without bling) custom rods. It is going to be a great time as always. Who Knows, Don Morse may show up too..
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If you want to try the Microwave style set up, and want to try a light inserted steel ring, try a set of AirWaves on your next build. The MicroWave guides will work fine on the drop shot rod too.
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Try and American Tackle Bushido CB72/8-15 or the CB72/10-20 . The blank is a Crank Bait/Popping Blank, and probably the best kept secret in the industry. I use the CB72/8-15 for Small Mouth rigged with a Lew's MB reel and 10 lb Combat Braid.
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Janns Netcraft has a solid Graphite Glass blank that they use for Walleye fishing on Lake Erie it is described as a SOLID GRAPHITE COMPOSITE ICE ROD BLANKS 39" Order #: 920212 The guys at Janns use these blanks to jig for the pig walleyes on Erie. The blank will lift a #7 Rapala Jig or a #5 Swedish Pimple or DoJigger with no problem. This would be a great way to start, and the blank w
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Ring Lock guides are from American Tackle.
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Ordered it yesterday.. Got it today...Hard to beat that. Let the Ice Rod Building begin...
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I have built a bunch of panfish and walleye ice rods on the JannsNetcraft micro lite and walleye ice blanks. Solid glass/graphite blanks. They work very well,
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Bushido BF909-4 or BF909-2 by American Tackle are phenomenal blanks. Light, straight and strong. Give one a try.
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Good advice from Michael. On a side note.. I have had the butt caps not want to go on because of trapped air wanting to push the butt cap back off . PITB...
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I build on both. Two piece rods are usually more economical, to build on. The newer blanks are no different to get around with than a 1 piece 7 foot spinning or casting rod. Their performance is on par with other rods. If you are going to pack in or fly to an exotic location, like Flint or Ferguson, yes, a 4 piece rod is wonderful. Do they fish any better... Not in my opinion, Do they cost m
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There are many very nice components you can put on a fly rod. Depending upon the weight and use of the rod, typically a 5Wt 8'6" or 9' foot blank will handle most of the lighter fresh water fishing. Single feet guides are less traditional, but much easier to put on a rod, and perform very well for smaller rods. Snake guides require 2 wraps per guide.(I just opened a Can of Worms there)
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Because the MicroWaves sit a bit higher, they are very well suited for a spiral wrap. I always use a locking wrap on the running guides, but pulling out a guide has never been an issue. Static load the blank, and see where the guides lay. When I build with a spiral wrap, I usually start with one extra guide than a traditional wrap, and go from there.
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Try an American Tackle Bushido Fly blank. A little more moderate action, and a great blank to fish.
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My experience with fly fishing is that I want to feel the rod load the line, and overall light weight is a true bonus. Adding weight to the butt of the rod is just more weight that the fishermen has to have in hand. The lighter the better.
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If you are new to building, try looking at a set of American Tackle MicroWave 50's or MicroWave 30's for your surf rod build. Follow the layout directions given with the set, and things are made easy. Good Luck with your build.
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MicroWave guides is size 30 would fit the bill very well, and they hold up.
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on fly rods,I have always used the idea of loading the rod, and looking for flat spots created in the line, relative to the flex of the blank. Moving guides to avoid flat spots so the line follows the curve of the blank. It is important.
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I think you are on the right page. I would also suggest you look at using a single foot stripping guide. I have been building on the American Tackle Bushido Fly blanks for about 6 months now.. They are remarkable blanks. I have been using single foot size 10 Titanium Titan fly guides (NIRLF-10) , as my strippers on the 5 and 4 Wt rods, and Size 8 Titanium Titans (NIRLF-8)s on the 3 Wt rods. I
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