No one rod can do all things . It's nice to dream about traveling the world fishing for trophy size fish with one rod.
Forum: rodboard

As nice as graphite is , I can't get away from glass. Lamiglass light weight glass rod blanks are what I like for crank baits.
Forum: rodboard

If for pure comfort for all day casting , I would go with a 6ft set up that is light as possible with the old style pistol grip.
Forum: rodboard

I think you are limiting yourself on reel capacity for the surf fishing aspect of your outfit. 300yds of 20lb line or more would be better if you happen to hook one of those Florida tarpons.
Forum: rodboard

I would not use anything heavier than HNSG. Pac Bay Aero deep press rings are more rust resistant and would be my 1st choice.
Forum: rodboard

I don,t how to classify rodbuilding . It is easy enough that a kid can do it or tuff enough to give me @#$%&. Selecting rod building component from the many that is available is the work of an engineer , putting it all together is the work of a skilled craftsmen , the colors and thread work is for an artist. It takes me many hours to build a rod and it is not for sale but I will give them away t
Forum: rodboard

John Martines , I have never been disapointed with any of our domestic rod blank manufactures our any of the RodBuilding .org sponsors. We rodbuilders are living in the best of times , there are almost to many rod building componants to choose from. The hard thing for me is that no one company sells every thing I want and need. John , are the Super Seekers a much lighter blank than their E-gla
Forum: rodboard

Mark , that guide wrap is absolutly gorgeous ! I have a Kencore rod blank and componants on order from @#$%&. If what I ordered is as good as I expect , you will hear me crow about it here at RodBuilding.org. You west coast guys really got it together when it comes to rodbuilding and tackle. I guess the yellow fin tuna bring out the best in men and tackle. I would like to see more west coast styl
Forum: rodboard

Steve , I agree with you . My butt guides are clocked in the same direction as my transition guides on my bass and inshore rods. I build mostly light -med tackle offshore boat rods. The larger and wider spool reels often needs the butt guide clocked in the opposite direction than the transition guides. I do set up the guides with the reel that will be mounted on the rod. The closer the butt gui
Forum: rodboard

I'm excited about the Seeker JB60XF rod blank I ordered from Mud Hole Tackle ! This rod blank is made out of tuff E-glass , measures .94in. at the butt that has about 1/4in. wall thicknes like a tuna stick but has a soft 6.5 tip that can easily cast plugs and live bait. This is one heavy duty rod blank that is compact ( 6ft ), balanced, and easy to cast one handed. If you are casting plugs to Bl
Forum: rodboard

I am looking for a thread color that closely matches the color of G-Loomis green water rods. It looks to be a sea green/sea foam green color. I would like to use that color as an under wrap for the King Mackerel rod I'm making on a black Seeker blank. Who makes that color thread ?
Forum: rodboard

Rob, The way I learned is by purchasing a spiral wraped rod from a custom builder. I would start by duplicating the guide placement , rubber band the guides in place and test cast and tie my line to various weights to mimic fighting and pulling on a fish. Modify my guide placement and start over again until I got it just right . Take note of the position of the butt guide , that will determain ho
Forum: rodboard

Thanks for the info , You guys have been a big help. I failed to consider heat build up on line guides. My bad experiance with rollors guides were many years ago before I became a rod builder and tackle junkie. In hind sight , those rollor guides were on factory produced rods . The rollors were jamed up and had grooves cut in them. Could have been cheap rollor guides , no maintance or both. The r
Forum: rodboard

What advantages dose rollor guides have over ceramics like sic or zerconian guides for stand up and trolling rods ? I've had bad experiance in the past with rollor guides and only build rods with hard ceramics. I'm I missing out on something?
Forum: rodboard

Rod and reel work together for casting distance . I'd give a little more credit to the reel for casting distance . I think surf casting distance records are set by bait casters without level winds. Weather a level wind moves or not , it will put drag on the line. My 8 bearing modified Abu Record reel with its non disengaging level line is more than a match for my Shimano Curado with it's disen
Forum: rodboard

A single wrap of A thread is plenty strong but a triple wrap of D thread looks better and dose not hurt a thing . An under wrap of gold , an over wrap of black followed by an over wrap of electric blue looks mighty fine.
Forum: rodboard

Hey ! Paul , you have one of those frenchy names like mine . I have yet to build a stand up tuna rod . I do build heavy bait rods. The most important advice I can give is to use corrosion proof or high corrosion resistant guides and tip tops. Pac Bay DP Aeros , Batson 316 stainless frame Alps , or American Tackle titanium turbos and Atlas stainless guides are my favorites . They are expensive
Forum: rodboard

Thanks for the replies ! You guys and this forum are inspirational . I build rods for much of the same reasons as everyone else . The myth of the one perfect rod to do it all becomes more out of reach , the more I fish and build rods. The purchase of a custom made spiral wraped bait casting rod from a small local tackle shop was the first thing that inspired me to get into rod building. I don
Forum: rodboard

Why do you guys build fishing rods ? What inspired you to get into rodbuilding ?
Forum: rodboard

Tom , I have zero experiance fishing for tarpon . Fishing for red fish , specks , flounder , king mackerel , and large mouth bass is a different matter and have built rod for those species. Tarpon are rare on the upper Texas coast. I know of only one tarpon guide that serves the area between Freeport and Sabine Pass . The weight of the plugs I fish with range between 1/4oz. topwaters to 1oz.
Forum: rodboard

Can any of you saltwater fishermen recomend a rod blank for casting bait and plugs at tarpon ? I plan to use a Garcia 6500/Shimano 400 size reel spooled with aprox. 300yds of 30lb braid. I know that is a light reel for tarpon but it is a challenge I like to try some day.
Forum: rodboard