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Hi All,
I got 2 blanks coming and to be honest, i could use a few tutorials. Been a very long time .
Both are 6', UL, one fast, one medium.
99% for vertical jigging 1/32-1/16.
I make my own jigs so this is just extending this hobby and i look forward to it.
Thanks for ideas or website links.
Sent from my SM-G965U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
You probably know about Mudhole Tackle but if not go to their website. They specialize in rod building supplies.
They conduct seminars around the country where they help you build your own rod in the class.
They offer tips and techniques on the website.
I wanted to go to one in NC last year but couldn't find anyone interested in going and splitting hotel costs.
Rod Building Supplies, Tools & Equipment To Build Custom Fishing Rods | MudHole.com
I recommend the YouTube series by Captain Kevin Brotz from "Get bit outdoors". He also has a store and a website.
The reason I like Kevin's videos is that each is relatively short and each focuses on a different part of the build. You are not stuck watching a 45 minute video and getting overloaded with information you don't need yet.
Watch one, learn what he is doing, then do it and go to the next.
One of the biggest challenges for new builders is alignment of the guide eyes. In my opinion, it is easier to learn on a two piece. With a single, i use slow set epoxy for the reel seat. After putting on the rear grip, seat, and foregrip, I put on the tip top aligned with the spine of the rod. Each reel seat has a line on the top, I align it with the tip top.
Now you have a starting point and end point to align to. Just a tip. Trust me, you will nit pick your first one.
You can practice on old rods, broken sections, or rod dowls. I even took apart old rods and rewrapped guide eyes.
The best winter hobby out there in my opinion.
One thing be sure to do. Look on Mudhole site to see how to determine spine flex and where to place guides. You can't just randomly place guides on rod.
I have watched a lot of YouTube videos on rod building. There are some good ones out there
The most important point to remember--Go slow. Have patience.
The guys basically got you covered. I will add this. Take the time to just sit back and learn how to wrap a guide until you can get a tight wrap and get the look you are going after. If you just try to lean as you go, I promise after you start the build by the time you are finished you will be looking back and will be redoing most of them. So it’s better to just wait until you get the hang of it. Other then that feel free to message probably any of us if you get stumped or can’t get the look your going for or just want to ask if there’s a better way to do things.
I'm not referring to how far apart to place the guides even though that is important also. I'm talking about the natural bend of the rod. Basically you just lean the blank on a support like a bench or chair back and push down in the middle of the rod. The rod will rotate to it's natural flex and that determines the line on the rod where the guides line up. Course it's 90° difference between spinning and casting rods because of how you hold it when retrieving.Quote:
Originally Posted by SeaRay
Hope I haven't completely confused you. The Mudhole site has a video demonstrating this. I had no clue about this before I saw the video.
Very good point. I believe that is a major reason a good hand built rods perform so wellQuote:
Originally Posted by SeaRay
I don't know about spacing yet.Quote:
Originally Posted by SeaRay
Got the spine thing figured out.
Thanks
Sent from my SM-G965U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
I believe they are spaced from the tip. Most rod guide sets have recommended spacing for the length of blank you are using
As Wicklunder already spoke of, the spine of the rod. The name given for the natural flex. I don’t know of a factory made rod that pays any attention to it. Rewinding rods is good for learning how to wrap but I don’t see the performance of the rod changing without realigning the seat. That said, if there is a rod that you find or own that has that sweet action we all search for, it’s worth the trouble to redo. Done many, mostly utilitarian but have finished one the right way and it’s sweet. All these guys will help you as much as you need and have a lot of patience.
I believe I left a guide space calculator link in one of the sticky notes on top. If not, let me know and I will email it to you.
Basically, you give the length of rod, your stripper eye placement, and number of eyes you want and it will calculate exact distance between them all. The more eyes, the more the line will follow the spine without pinch points. Takes all tge guessing out. It was designed by a rod builder and not a company of blanks or eyes.
I've used it for 10 years and it took my good spacing distances and made them great. You need Excell to operate it.
Two things to look for in a quality rod are the number of eyelets and how they align with spine flex on rod.