Building a 50 to 80 lb rod for grouper fishing. I have always used roller tips with guides on top. I would like to spiral wrap this rod. If I do I cannot use a roller tip. Will a Fuji SIC UST give me the same performance as a roller? Thanks, Will

You could use a roller on a spiral wrap rod. Just mount it upside down. The other guides will be on the bottom so the line will too.

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Answer to Mike B, the tube size is 15. I am looking at, and holding an Aftco roller as I type this an I do not see it happening with this one. I sure hope someone posts a followup if they ever figure out this delima. For now, I am incline to believe Mr French, The benefits of the Spiral Wrap would outweight the lack of a roller on the tip. Especially considering the target species is grouper. Thanks for the input.

Fellows, my original post in this thread was meant to be somewhat tongue in cheek. Yes, if you can find one of the older Mildrum type double roller tops then it is quite feasible that you could use a roller top in a spiral wrap. But with almost anything else I am aware of the line routing would be so sharp that I would not trust it.

I have built literally hundreds upon hundreds of boat, trolling and stand-up rods and nearly all of them have been fitted with Fuji SIC tops. They have performed extremely well and I have never had a complaint about premature line wear, save for one fellow who had a cracked ring insert. I have been firmly convinced that you can use these tops with confidence and without any trouble from premature line wear.

But again, yes you could use a roller top if the design is such that you can route the line cleanly over a roller. Some tops would allow this, most won't.

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Will,

Are you trolling for your grouper, or dropping bait or diamond jigs down? If not trolling, I would not even think of anything but SIC and the spiral wrap. If trolling, particularly for long periods of time, I might skip the spiral wrapping, and go with a conventional setup with roller tip.

Just an opinion.

TH

Tony, I am dropping straight down. No trolling will ever be done with this rod. It's sole purpose is to be a meat stick for large bottom dwellers. I am fishing 80lb test with the drag on a 4/0 hammered as tight as it can go. It is literally like playing tug of war.

Will,

I grew up in FL and know that fishing well! I fish around the Chesapeake Bay, now.

Are you dropping live pinfish or grunts down to those monsters?

SIC and spiral wrap should turn your new rod into your favorite rod! When I finally tried one, I really,liked it!

Good luck!

TH