Hello! I have a customer requesting a catfish rod. His specs are a little outside my realm of expertise so I would like some extra advice. Some searching past posts showed lots of blanks in the 9 foot range, but not the longer ones that are being requested. I mainly build bass/panfish and light fly rods. The rod will use a conventional reel. He is very concerned with durability. I am favoring
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That is what I was afraid of. Thanks for the info!
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I am trying to get a replacement guide. It is the carbon fiber framed guides on the Daiwa AGS rods (https://www.daiwa.com/us/contents/rods/tatula_elite/index.html). Does anyone know where I could find these? I am not turning them up at my usual sources. Thanks in advance
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Thanks for all of the advice everyone. It has been a big help.
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I will be sure to do that. So it looks like my guide train will be: MW18:8 stripper then all size 4 Minimas. Does that seem like a good setup? Thanks!
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I am looking at the minimas now. I have enough to do the stripper then straight 4s. Would I have to worry about knot clearance? I plan to use a wire loop tip top.
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Tom Kirkman Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > When I say go directly to the 1's or 1/0's, I'm > not suggesting reducing the number of guides. I'm > saying to just use all the same size running > guides. There is absolutely no advantage in having > a bunch of different size guides on the rod, > unless you simply want the added weight incurred
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Tom, I will definitely remember! I have added the article to my offline library too. Would you go from the stripper to 1s or would that be too few guides? Phil, I will keep that in mind. I should have know better, I have built half a dozen rods on the same bass blank and they all had somewhat different spacings. Fly rods should be no different. Thanks everyone!
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My main reasoning is a lack of research. I went with the recommended sizing from the manufacturer. I had assumed that was right as it made sense since I build mostly bass rods. I searched around for stripper placement info and came across the article in the library about it. I am on a time crunch for a trip so I may not have time to get more 1/0 in. This is mainly a failure to plan issue.
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I am building an 8ft 4wt on an MHX f804-4 blank. I had planned on using double foot snakes with the 18-8 Microwave stripper (3-1-1-1/0-1/0-1/0-1/0-1/0). I found a handful of size 4 Minima single foot guides. Would I be able to go stripper to 6 to 4 for the reminder of my rod or would the guides be too small/kill blank action? Thanks in advance!
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Mark thanks for the clarification. That makes a lot of sense. It sounds like the SJ 842 is what I need Michael thanks for the info on the Ramps
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I prefer a rod that will have a lot of backbone but with a soft tip so that I can feel the rod load up when I move the bait a tiny bit but do not want to sacrifice the power for a hookset or casting
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Most of my baits will all be under 1/4 oz, would the longer 7-2 version the SJ8600 be a good middle ground? ML 1/16 to 3/8 with a fast tip?
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Yeah, I got turned onto the Ned by a buddy who followed behind me catching more fish than I did with my jig. On some of these lakes around here it is so easy to zero I need a rod to throw this thing on. I have one but it is a pretty sub par blank, short, and too stiff for the deadly nedly
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Gbs looks good. Also just saw Fuji TVS. Anyone have experience with it?
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How do you like the Aero seat and is it the size 16 or 17?
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I have done builds for customers that like the MHX more than the Loomis for the both the price point and the feel. It might be other things besides the banks but I use nothing but MHX for me and any customers. Another plus is they are fantastic to work with. They are great with any questions and warranty is a breeze. I've never worked with any other blanks so I cannot speak for those but I have b
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Rod tubes aren't too much of an issue. I'll look into the KLH. I use k guides on all my casting rods and love them. Do you just use an epoxy ramp on the front or a small fore grip
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I thought about ordering and trying them out but most of the issues I have come from the last few hours of a tournament. So while they will all not have any issues just holding them after 5 or 6 hours it starts to show up and from what I have been able to figure out the TN or Aero are considered some of the most comfortable. I have used an Aero and liked it but I have heard a lot of good things
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I plan on building separately. I do really like the microwave set I added to that older rod. Is there a good length so that I can have a universal size or should I size it to a rod?
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Looking at trying to build a new spinning rod to throw ned rigs, shakey heads, and smaller tubes. My blanks are narrowed between SJ842, SJ8600, and perhaps the P842 all by MHX. Guides I am torn between the K-Concept which I love on my casting rods or the Microwaves I had on my last spinning rod. I am very happy with the results of both guide trains, just trying to optimize the build. I will be us
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Tom, Jim, thanks for the help! I appreciate it!
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Customer decided on a sprial wrap, In the past I have done the first guide at 15 degrees, the third all the way around, and the second keeping line off the blank. Anything I should change about this? Thanks
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Take one of the wound closure strips used for small incisions and tape over your knot. It has no residue and wont take up much room.
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I prefer going with the conventional. I have 3 i built spiraled and they just don't flip as well. It might be in my head. So it looks like I might be on the wrong train of thought when placing guides. What do you guys look for when building he casting rods spacing wise . It is a light flipping rod with a relatively soft tip. Thanks again. It seems like I have a lot of builds with more guides than
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Norm, That is brilliant, I have never thought of that and it makes total sense. I will give that a shot! Is all I do is look for flat spots where blank touches line on the weighted line?
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It depends on line. If you are using fluorocarbon or braid I would use the crankbait as you want some give so you do not pull the bait from the fish or rip lips. If you are using monofilament you would want the popping rod for the extra backbone to get a solid hookset. You can either have the give in your rod or your line. i typically choose a softer rod for chatterbaits as I throw fluorocarbon
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Hi, Recently I got the parts together to build a casting rod for a friend of mine and I am having some issues with setting up the KR concept guides. I have the MHX MB873 rod with size 10 and 5.5 strippers, 3 size 5 belly guides, and 5 size 5 runners. My issue is while doing the static tests I: 1) always have line touching 2) am not sure if I have enough guides 3) cannot keep the guide feet
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Awesome. I will go with the 5 runners as you suggested Norm, also will have to try short leaders and the FG knot Thanks a bunch!
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Looking at a 10-8-7-6-6-6-6-6 using K series guides, 10 and 8 are the double foot kw and 6/7 are single foot running guides, will that work or does it defeat the purpose of the KR concept? Thanks for all the help
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