This is my first new post. I live near Cedar Rapids, IA. I've wrapped several rods. None over a $100 price point. I'd like to build a 6' 10" drop shot rod. Here's what I plan to use; an Immortal blank, a reversed Aero reel seat so fingers are forward the reel foot and cork split handle. My question is do I dare use a Microwave set with Durolite rings (that I already have) for this use? I will normally join #15 braid to #6 fluoro with an alberto knot. Yes, I know the FG is a better knot with a lower profile but more of a pain for me to tie. I just leave the tag ends of the fluoro at the knot a bit longer so they pass through guides better. Thanks guys.

Charlie,
Great ideas on the build.
Out of curiosity, why do you want to reverse the Aero Reel seat? When the Aero reel seat is in its normal position, the contour and size of the reel seat, when mated to an equally well shaped rear grip make the rod a joy to hold in the hand.

However, to each his own.

I might suggest that if you choose to use a leader, just make the length of the leader a bit shorter than the length of the rod, so that you do not have to run any knots through the guides. I have done this for years and never have issues with knots.

Another option is to use braid to the hook or lure with no leader and have no issues with knots, since there are no knots in the line.
But, yes, the guides you mention will work very well with that blank and you should have good success with the rod.

By the way, a couple of pictures of Aero reel seats that I did several years ago, as another possibility.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

[www.rodbuilding.org]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/02/2017 04:37PM by roger wilson.

You won't have any problems with the knot.

Thanks for your reply Roger.

I saw on this board a few years back that someone had tried reversing the Aero reel seat. With that I removed a handle from a Veritas spinning rod and installed a handle from the butt end with a reversed Aero. I really enjoy the foregrip position for drop shotting or ned rigging. I've made this swap on most of my M spinning rods. Seems to save on my shoulder while using these techniques. Thought it was just time to do a dedicated drop shot rod.

I like to do DS from an elevated shoreline at a shallow lake and spool with a yellow or pink #15 braid for visibility. I would however use a current rod for bank fishing and not the new rod. At least not right away.

Do you have an quality opinion on the SB822.5 vs. REVS610MXF? Approximately $30 difference.

Thanks Lynn, good to know. When I used to fish with a slip bobber we left the tag ends over a 1/4" inch or longer on the bobber stop. The line wouldn't hang up on the guides during casts.

Nothing wrong with the microwaves for that build but have you considered minima's? I think it would make a difference you could feel in hand

As I said, "do I dare use a Microwave set with Durolite rings (that I already have) for this use?" Don't really want to buy another set if these should work fine.

I also agree with Thomas 100%. But if you have the microwaves in hand and are going nuts to get started, go for it. If you don't mind waiting for an order to get to you. Get Minimas and save the Microwaves for a build where they might be of more benefit from a line taming aspect. Minimas are light and the rings are bigger in the same size guide.

Appreciate your comments guys. I guess another consideration to use what I have is use of a rod sock and playing well with casting rods when bundled in a tight locker. Forgive me if I was a bit abrupt, the Hawkeyes just got stomped by a just decent Florida offense in the Outback Bowl. I guess I should be used to it by now.

I'm a Phillies fan, you'll get over it.

Thomas, Lynn, what Minimas? The 4 series in single or double foot?

Reversed aeros work great for this kind of build. With the big ramp going off the front instead of threads, it is very comfortable. If you want to use the Microwaves because you already have them, do it; it will work fine. I would use a premium grade tiptop as that is where any grooving will start.

Thanks Michael. Totally agree with a good tiptop. I have since been looking at wrapping Minima's using the NGC system.

Is the choker guide the same as the running guides?
Anyone have a guide recipe for a 6' 10" drop shot rod using a 1500 size reel? I don't want to buy a bunch of sizes I'll never use.

Photo link below to a reversed Aero.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Minima 4's. Single foot

I would stay with the MicroWaves....

1. You have them
2. They are quiet


The uplocking Aero seat is very popular.... I have found that 40% or so of the people that try it prefer it uplocking.

_______________________________
God Bless, Don Morse

800-516-1750 ext. 1207 / don@americantackle.us

Rod Building..... It's What We Do.

Thanks Don. That helps.

The microwaves will do just fine for the rod you are building. if you are interested in trying the Minima guides to see how they perform go ahead an refurbish one of your older spinning rods. This will allow you to try these guides without investing in a new blank. Try the Minima match (M) guides for the reduction train coupled with Minima fly (F) guides as runners. Group the reduction guide sizes according to Fuji KR microguide concept. For example, 16M, 8M, and 6M, or 20M,10M and 6M as reduction guides, depending on reel size and line used. I used size 4 F runners. I did this with one of my old light action rods that I did not like. The minima guides completely transformed that rod into something that was a pleasure to fish; it casted and felt much better. These guides will give you one of the lightest guide trains possible. They make the rod lighter and more responsive with increased sensitivity. The entire set of minima M/F guides used on this rod weigh less than a single duralite Microwave stripper.
Norm

Norm, thanks for taking the time to reply. Wow, that's light weight. I like it, I already ordered Minimas for the DS blank and a 6'2" ML both in Revelation series. Funny you say refurbish, I scraped 6'6" ML rod I didn't like today and I'll put the Microwave set on that one. I also scraped a AG Vengance MH spinning rod I never used. I plan to convert it to a MH deep crankbait rod. Seems to load about right. Looks like they weren't that concerned with the spine (spline) position when it was factory wrapped..

I'll follow your advice (recipe) and look forward to a better feel and performance on three rods.

The members of Rodbuilding.org have been very friendly with replies to my posts. I spent much of the day reading about the Simple Spiral and alternatives to that concept. Very interesting, but many words spent on altering a single concept that seemed to work fine as created. If I did one I think my buddies would think I was using a 2-pc rod which would be bad enough, but not aligning it straight would just add to their heckling. Thus the difficulty in acceptance.

If you have questions be sure to post. We are all happy to help.
Norm