Hi all, It's finally here. We have two models: 10'6" #2 and 10'6" #3. These will have a softer tip than the stock 10'6" Affinity-X's. Some might remember that the 11'0" Affinity-X was to be left alone because the tip wassuitable for EN'ing. They will also depower the tip (-) 1 line weight. But at this time, there is no design for this. The design fee is $204 U.
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Hello all, new to rod building here and have a question regarding guide placement and the line angle. It is my understanding that while doing a static load test by bending the rod to a ninety degree angle that you are supposed to place the guides on a spinning setup so that you minimize the angle of the line between the guide and the blank, trying to keep it as parallel with the rod blank as
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I use this Mudhole product occasionally to get rid of stubborn micro bubbles in epoxy finish. Is there a simple DIY alternative for this product?
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I am currently trying to research and find out as much about the process and How to find out how to select the right components for a rod build. I want to build a 6’10’ or close to that length medium light dropshot rod. I have been searching this forum and think I have the guide selection and how to space them figured out. I assume tip top is same size as runner guides for ring diameter. Is there
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I'm enclosing a link to these, and while referred to as tubing, They might be better described as very small o-rings on a runner. Does anyone know of a source for these in larger sizes? I'm not looking for orthodontic ligatures that are similar to small rubber bands. Thx, Lynn
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Howdy All! How do you figure out which tip top to use? I know they come by ring size and tube size. Do you want the ring size of the tip top to be the same size as the last guide? When repairing a broken tip then you would need a bigger tube size with the same ring size. I would sure appreciate some advice! Thanks, Micky
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I bought a 14' MHX steelhead centerpin rod a few years back. I would love to build it this winter. I need help on what guides to buy? I want something top end, light, durable, and in some sort of matte finish. (Micro?) Then comes the sizes? I have the spacing after some research but stumped on sizes. Model number is ST1682 Any help would be appreciated. Thank you Joe
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I'm about to build a spinning rod that will casting distance will be considered greatly, I have added the KR Guides in the past but this rod will be a little on the heavier side and I wondered if any one has used KW Double foot guides in the reduction train per the Fuji GPS for KRs and then transferred to single foot KLs? This is a 7' 6" Custom Painted Rod Geeks Blank Thanks, Alex
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Howdy All! Very new to all this and am learning much from this forum. Thank you! Question please. Is there a rule of thumb about how many wraps (or winds?) to make before starting to walk the thread up the guide foot? Does that length depend on the size guide, ie: gets shorter (or fewer) as you work your way up the rod with decreasing size guides? Mic
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I have an ultralight trout rod that the diameter of the blank is much smaller than the diameter of the carbon fiber grips I ordered. After reading a heated discussion about tape arbors I was thinking of using epoxy to build up the diameter of the blank. Is this okay or recommended? Thank you
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Hi everyone, first time rod builder and first time poster. I've decided to build a 3wt CTS glass fly rod and I've done lots of research on what to do, but I haven't really found anything telling me what not to do. I'm hoping some of you guys can tell me what I'm most likely to mess up on my first rod, or what some really common mistakes are for first time rod builders. Thanks in advance!
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I just bought a Bushido BU-SWB3K8-2/30-50 Musky/Pike spinning rod blank and am looking for advice on what guide set I should use as well as the tip top. I intend to use it from a canoe or shore in the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota this Spring. My primary targets are Lake Trout and Northern Pike. The rod blank is 8', two piece, Extra Heavy, Fast, and is rated for 30 to 50 lbs. How many, an
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Been trying G4 epoxy for the last six or seven rods with mixed feelings. When it’s good it’s great, very easy to work with great flow very clear very smooth. I have recently been running into an issue with micro bubbles that will not release. They’re not bubbles coming from the threads as I can see them after the finish has been mixed. Spread on tinfoil let rest even try some heat and the micro
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So I’ve applied the first coat of ProKote and I see a few places where the thread was not cut as close as required. As a result I have a few bumps showing up in that area. Being a relative newbie I’m not sure if the next coat will fix it? I plan on applying 2 more coats. Should I try to sand down the affected area? Maybe try to level it with a razor? Or simply apply more coats? If someone te
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I’ve recently come into a lot of extra time at home and decided to pick up the hobby. I’ve been gathering some equipment and supplies and I’m starting to build a list of components I want to use on my first couple of rods. I took advantage of the NFC sale and got 5 blanks to start on. A SJ 603, 2 MB 663, a MB 733 and a SJ 736. The 603 will be a spinning rod for my 7 year old nephew to build f
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Maybe this will help:
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So, I have a question regarding the guides of a rod. If I have a lighweight rod and one builder adds 9x torizite eyes but the other adds 13x torzites How will this influence the performance of the rod? The extra eyes(0.12g) will be added to the top (so less spacing). Blank = Mitagi TR78 SUPER NIMBLE MINNOW
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I posted something similar to this many moons back. Since solid fiberglass ice rod blanks are so inexpensive, and can be purchased strong enough to land pike, musky, and big lake trout, use AT microwave guides and a solid casting reel on the blank. You'll be amazed at how far it will cast. It is a ton of fun fighting a big smallie, or pike on this rig. And talk about a compact rod for kayak,
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One of my pet peeves - why don't reel seat manufacturers offer bushings that fit their seats??? Or - alternatively - at least make the I.D. of the seat compatible with existing bushings now on the market.. Herb
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Not wanting to possibly high jack another members thread, I figured I'd start my own on the subject. The height of a casting rods' butt guide was mentioned in a fairly recent running thread. It was mentioned that a Fuji RV6 and a Fuji KW 10 were interchangeable because the height of the bottom of the rings (the rings' ID) were the same. It was further mentioned that the total height of the guide
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Okay so I'm on to what I believe is the final piece of the puzzle. I have my Rod Blanks selected. Going with the for my jerk bait rod and for my skipping rod I know this doesn't make a difference, but for the jerk bait rod I'm going with a Ohio State/Classic car style the entire rod being Red Metallic with silver metallic thread. For the flipping Rod I'm using my old high school colors of p
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Looking for help finding a tip top for a heavy power casting rod. The rod has 4 mm micro guides and my customer broke the ring in the tip. What I am looking for and so far can't find is either a 4 or 4.5mm ring with a 7.5 tube. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I wouldn't be opposed to going up to a 5 ring if the smaller ones aren't out there. Thanks
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I acquired an older Calstar 6465 XH-B that I thought would make a great rail rod. It's so stiff that finding the spine the usual way by having the butt on the floor and applying pressure against the blank while supporting the tip just wasn't getting it, so I used the straightest axis to find it. That worked well. Everything was going smoothly until I glued up the aluminum reel seat. It required v
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I imagine this will get some debates going. The part for that makes this the most difficult is not being able to put my hands on a Rod Blank before buying one. Which leaves me with the opinions of others based on there experience. With that being said, let me try and set a control group if that is even possible. Brands I have personally held in my hand. Bass Pro Carbon Lite - Not a bad rod
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On my last couple of builds there appear to be small pin pricks along the length of the epoxy. Granted my epoxy is a little old at this point but I have never seen this before. They are very tiny but evident when the rod turns under the light. They lessen with each coat. I'm using Flex Coat High Build in my garage in Florida. :-) Any ideas what might be causing this? Thank you.
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So I bought a 10in.piece of texalium tubing to use for decorative purposes. I intend to use three (3), 1 inch pieces in the handle sections of a split grip design. I experimented cutting the texalium with a Harbor Freight 6 inch cut off saw similar to the on in this link: When I cut slowly the composite in the tube melts and the fibers at the ends unravel. When I cut the pieces quickly, th
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Hey guys I got more beginner questions. This will be a long read lol. I’ve finished all my bass rod builds for the moment, and my co angler is really liking what I’m doing and wants a few made. I had to explain to him that I’m using premium components for mine and it would be around $300 in hmm just parts. He was shocked lol. He asked if I could assemble something more budget friendly but still
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Hi all, I recently moved and with that lost my basement shop. Good news, I now have a 24x10 building with a storage loft that will be dedicated to rod building, tackle, rigging etc. It’s sectioned off and the larger 13x10 will be the rod shop. Plan is wrapping bench on one wall, finishing bench on the other. Part of me things this will kill a lot of space in the middle. Other idea is central b
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Any idea where I can find a noodle blank in the 72” range? Thanks, Dave
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Hi, New member and it has been 30 years since I built a fly rod. Needless to say, technology, resources, and opinions have changed. I've already "binged" on a lot of very useful and interesting forum content (threads, FAQs, library) - but forgive me if I've overlooked the following. When I built my rods, I followed the advice of L.A. Garcia who, as I understand it, was a propone
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