Hi All,

Well it has been a while since I have built a rod but recently had a good friend ask me to build him a new Tuna Rod. I have decided to build his rod with the Seeker Wicked 80/130 Blank. However I have been unsuccessful in trying to get guide spacing's from Seeker (or anyone) for this rod. Is there anyone out there that might be able to help me out with this? It is a 7' Blank and I am planning on using 6 guide + the top. Any help or info would be GREATLY appreciated.

Regards, Tom

Tom,
Can you give the butt dia, tip dia and distance from tip to reel ??
This will provide enough data for a calculated guide placement which can be confirmed with static testing.

Gene

Morning Gene,

I was hoping to get to the rod last night but was unable to. I will get back to you with the specs ASAP. But based off of the online specs here is the initial info:
TIP - Size 24 (9.5mm)
BUTT - 1.18

Appreciate your response!

Regards, Tom

That would be a good rod for a spiral wrap

Bill - willierods.com

Do not overthink it. Set the first guide back about 5 inches from the tip top. Set the reel on the seat and determine where you want the butt guide and tape that down. Then eyeball the rest and space them progressively between those two guides. You may find it is as simple progressing from 5 to 6 to 7 to 8, etc. Then make small adjustments to smooth things out. Assuming you're going to be using rollers, these are tall enough that what I have outlined should provide good stress distribution with no chance of the line rubbing the blank. Make sure the line does not rub the fore grip of course.

There ya go The KISS way Keep It Simple Stupid Works every time

Bill - willierods.com

Thanks Guys! I a actually a big fan of the Spiral Wrap, I have done quite a few rods with that wrap but this is for an Old School Tuna guy who is very set in his ways and what he wants! Thanks for those spacing recommendations Mike. I will give it @#$%& and let you know how it comes out! Now I just have to figure out how to put enough load on this rod to do the static line test....

Just keep you head from above the rod just in cast some thing breaks They give a good wack !!

Bill - willierods.com

Oh I know that all too well Bill! I had one wrap around my head and knock me for a loop while fishing a few years back! Fish went under the boat and cut the line.....

I had one where the line gave way I was bent over it checking the line on the blank Whacked me real good

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/29/2016 12:38PM by bill boettcher.

I think if you mount the guides per Mike's suggestion you're going to find that you'll have more than decent stress distribution.

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