I've decided to attempt to become a fly fisherman, and I'm going to build my own rod. I'm going to focus initially on bluegills and trout. I've built a lot of rods, but never a fly rod. I have a NFC 9' two piece, 5wt. blank that I'm going to use for the build. I see manufactured rods that have either snake or single foot running guides and I'm curious which is the best way to go. I'm under the im
Forum: rodboard

First of all thank you to all that have given guidance so far to a new guy at this. I have an older, mid 90s, composite/glass? Lew’s 7’ cranking rod. It’s a great rod for small crankbaits and have caught no telling how many fish on it. Last time out I noticed the reel seat was cracked all the way around. Tonight I successfully removed the old cork handle, reel seat and foregrip. I then lightl
Forum: rodboard

I just received two rod blanks that concern me a little .These are 3 piece IM 6 2wts . Granted they are not Sage or Winston but still have been good blanks for me . The first one has a tip with a bend in it . I can see it when sighting down the blank . The second one has two bends in it . They are not as pronounced as the tip on the first one . My question is , should I spine these blanks an
Forum: rodboard

Any tips on wrapping tops ? These wimpy little ends on O wts thru 3 wts are testing me . I would appreciate a tip on a way to stabilize them . Right now I put a welding rod through the ring and attach to wrapper , works but not really well . TIA Ron
Forum: rodboard

I have read different opinions on whether spining a rod is necessary or is building it on the straightest axis the way to go?
Forum: rodboard

I'm curious as to which orientation is correct for storing fly rods horizontally . Store with the eyes up or down ? With the spine or against . I know this is a silly question but when looing at my rods the end sections bend down and I wouldn't want them to take a set . I had one do that but it was leaning against a wall in the good old Arizona @#$%& heat .
Forum: rodboard

Ok, so i have a understanding.. Sorta.. The first question is about the process setup.. I understand the ccs is primarly based on fly rods, which explains why you would place your rod in the holder with the guides facing up.. In fly fishing you load your line primarily on the back cast.. Over your head.. And behind you.. The system can be used for spin fishing rods too, but i primarily cast f
Forum: rodboard

Herb, your mention of carbon fiber grips (Anthony Unger's post below) creating a shear point is the 1st I've ever read of this. I don't doubt your word, but did you learn this from personal experience or is there some place I can read more on the subject? I've only used a cf grip one time so far and it was from a supplier, but none of the suppliers that I'm aware of mention this. Perhaps they sho
Forum: rodboard

Hi guys, those of you who had the chance to test the newest and /or the best things on the market, can you point me towards a blank which can rival the G.Loomis NRX blanks in sensitivity ? Let's say I am interested in a 7'0'' long with a 3/16-5/8 casting weight in M or MH for bass and Walleye jigging. What I actually want to know is , if it is worth it to strip down a NRX an customize it t
Forum: rodboard

Hi guys just wondering I'm going to make a Spine finder So what size bearings Size pvc The are the reducers at the and what else do I need thanks
Forum: rodboard

Im sure this has been covered previously but i'm not finding it in the search. I know what power and speed are and how they are listed. But what criteria does each company use to determine if a blank is say med or med heavy ect. is there a certain deflection percentage with a given weight like archery arrows have on a spine tester? or is it however they feel like calling it
Forum: rodboard

A few years back every other post on this site seemed to be about the spine or "spline" of a rod blank. Today this topic has been abandoned in favor of the best guide spacing, right down to the millimeter. I have never seen any credible, objective tests comparing the distance or accuracy or ANY performance feature of completed rods with differing spine alinements or guide spacing? Are
Forum: rodboard

To All......Is there a generally accepted +/- tolerance in degrees off the spline centerline when mounting the reel seat? I realize that 0° off center is the goal, but how much off-center, (left or right), would be acceptable?
Forum: rodboard

Got my Mudhole order yesterday and discovered Mudholes Blank Diameter Chart is incorrect, at least is is for the blank I got. I ordered an American Tackle exposed blank reel seat that comes with an insert. According to the chart the ID of the insert should go down to where I wanted it but the blank was actually about .5 mm plus larger than the chart says. Did not discover this until after I expox
Forum: rodboard

I've never had any issues with aligning my eyes when replacing them butvit always been such a tedious task for me. Even when I think I have them just perfect, I still look down the rod and pontificate thinking one eye is .001 out of alignment with all the others. My girlfriend calls me a "perfectionist to the extreme", i just want to make it right! Right now, I have a "V" s
Forum: rodboard

All, Can anyone help me with a couple questions on building an acid wrap rod 1. Spline, up or down from reel seat 2. what degrees or how many guides to make the 180 degree change? Like every 30,45,60,90 degrees? what do you think is best. 3. Ideal length. I will use mainly on boat Thanks everyone "Bent rods to ya" Darrel
Forum: rodboard

I am building a 13', 7/8 wt. spey rod and want to be sure to find the spine. I have a spine finder (2 ball bearing raceway, one in each end of finder) and according to Dale Clemens (in Advanced Custom Rod Building) when you push down on the tip the blank will roll to point where effective spine will be on top. Is this accurate in your experience? A friend says no... the spine is heavier
Forum: rodboard

New to the forum but have always looked it over, good site. I did a search for Cape Fear blanks and found some old posts about them. I got several of these blanks years ago and built one into my Musky trolling rod, these blanks are indestructible. One of the blanks I have has a very soft tip but backbone that is perfect for my Musky spinning rod, its soft enough to get the spinners out there a
Forum: rodboard

Hi I'm new to the forums and relatively new to rod building. I am wanting to make a technique specific drop shot rod. What are your opinions on the best blanks to use? Price is not much of an issue but would prefer to stay reasonable. Thanks, Aaren
Forum: rodboard

Greetings gang. I'm new here. I built a heavy duty boat rod, in the early 80's, using a Fenwick blank. I thought that it turned out well, until I used it and the tip wanted to go sideways. I then learned about the spine. I'm now retired and want to build more rods, but build them correctly. I have several blanks, including a couple of Ugly Stiks. The markings are: Shakespeare 12-0586 and 1
Forum: rodboard

I have been reading some articles about the pros and cons of wrapping guides at each joint of a fishing rod. Most say it's not a good idea. Is it the stress the guide puts on the joint. I've been putting guides there simply because it looks better than wrapping some thread at the joint and then moving an inch or so then wrapping the guide on. It just seems extra thread in a small area. Also
Forum: rodboard

FIRST HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FERRULE AND NOW JUST RUINED A BLANK I AM JUST SORRY I EVER DID A COURSE AND TRIED TO GET INTO THIS SICK AND TIRED, AND WALLET IS FEELING VERY SORRY FOR ITSELF, AND GOODBYE
Forum: rodboard

I am loathe to use the term ''epoxy'' Because I am not familiar with it Is araldite the best thing to fix a reel seat on, or not? Or what is? Ideally something that may be rebuilt later fairly easily??
Forum: rodboard

The trouble with reading through the forums on this topic is that no proper solid explanation is given as to what ''spine'' we are talking about Please let's sort out what it is we are actually discussing! Let's talk about a standard tip section from a freshly cut blank, as on these sections the spine is very apparent as opposed to the thicker butt section where not only is the spine harder
Forum: rodboard

Thought I would resurrect this old chestnut just to check up. Blanks are obviously made to tight specifications more than ever now with better technology and under enormous machine pressure (hence very uniform). Even though has and always will be a spine where the roll is folded over and the blank slightly harder in one place, is the spine ever straight down the blank, and is it of any cons
Forum: rodboard

I had a home made rod holder a few years back,to do a static test , but the thing was it always turned my rod when i put more weight to bend the rod, just wondering if there is a better solution.
Forum: rodboard

I have bought some extra spinning rod blanks and was thinking about turning them into casting rods. I got me wondering how much if any difference there in the design and construction between the two. For example: is a medium power, fast casting rod blank the same as a medium power, fast spinning rod blank? Sam
Forum: rodboard

Hey folks, I've only ever built bait cast rods for light to med saltwater fishing. But I have people that want to buy spinning rods. My question is are any technical differences, aside from the reel seat and guide sizes, to keep in mind when building a spinning rod?
Forum: rodboard

Do competitors in distance fly casting buy ready-made rods or do they have them custom built? If they have rods custom built I would appreciate hearing what components they prefer and any special construction methods they employ.
Forum: rodboard

I tried a search, but for whatever reason, I can't get it to work. If you can see what I'm doing wrong please let me know. I'm sure the words "tip top" have shown up on this page at some point in time! One thing that I can do, but is a huge pain in the rear is cleaning the adhesive from the tip top. The tops are left open I'm assuming so an air pocket does not form. This also a
Forum: rodboard