Folks,

I recently built an 11' surf rod and did not use underwraps and a fellow building said I was brave for not using underwraps.

What are your thoughts on using underwraps for surf builds? I have more surf rods to build for my self and would like you opinions.

Will be using either Single Foot or Double foot guides on the rods. Probably doubles on the rod rate 2-5 oz and singles on the 3/4 - 4oz rod.

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge.

Bill

Under wraps are not at all necessary. Conversely, on heavy surf rods, they do not necessarily harm anything. Some builders believe that surf casting rods may see some benefit from underwraps in terms of the underwrap helping to stabilize the guide in place as it attempts to twist under load from a good fishing. This is not a concern with surf spinning rods.

Make sure your guide feet are properly prepped and sit very flat on the rod blank, whether you use underwraps or not.

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All my graphite surf rods do not have an underwrap. To ensure stability, CP is not used. This promotes maximum penetration of the epoxy.
The last step, for me, in guide prep is to wrap emory cloth over a wooden dowel and dress the bottom of the guide feet.

You may want to consider underwraps in building a fiberglass surf rod.

Don Becker

Thanks for the feedback. All of my surf rods will be spinning and not casting.

Good idea with the emory cloth over a dowel.