Custom Surf Rod-which one and where?

[gone_fishing]

My in-laws offered to buy me a custom rod. Not a $500 custom, but a custom. I can also help kick in some cash to get a good one. I may be able to get a Reels Wheels made for under $250. What do you think my best option is?

Thanks!

[surfchunker]

a wheels reels rod blank will cost you about $250 and up ... just got a Nitro and having it built ... most quality rod blanks will be in this range ....

[big brother]

gone fishing,
Don't buy a custom just to say you have one. Throw different brands and lengths and then decide what fits you best. Not everyone can throw a nitro or a big beach or a (insert name here). Find what fits you.
charlie

[curtisb]

What you need to consider is:
1.what brand of blank,type of blank and length of blank.
2.what type of guides: ceramic,alconite or sic.
3.any fancy wraps or weaves.
4.who to build it. different people charge different prices.
All these will change the price of your custom rod. Like mentioned earlier, try as many different rods before comiting to any one blank or you could end up like a lot of us on here with a bunch of rods(not really a bad thing).:D

CB

[eric]

one thing thatll keep prices down on rods are not doing custom wraps. look at the LDX and HDX , or afaw, not a single decor on them.

[curtisb]

Actually there are two spines. A strong and a weak. On Spinning rods the guides are placed on the weak side(or with the spine). A casting rod is just the opposite, on the strong side(or on top). Kind of like on a bow you have a front and a back. You pull the bow toward the back(strong side). This loads the bow and creates stored energy. A rod works the same way, it loads energy for a cast and provides resistance for playing a fish. If you put the guides off spine the blank will twist both during a cast and playing a fish. A good rod builder knows this and knows how to set a rod up correct. This is one of those areas that has been argued over in rod buliding circles for a long time. Some say go by the book. Others say that as long as the guides are on one of the spined sides it doesn't matter(good example are the new Diawa Saltiga surf rods that can be fished for both types of reels). Myself I have always gone by the book with placing guides on the spine. But this will probably start a good thread going.

CB

[eric]

soo. a spinner should have its spine point 180degrees from guides??
and conventionals guides on the spine?

i know its different in casting, spinner with a overhand, guides point up.
conventional overhand guides point down.

is that what you mean curtis?

[Tommy]

In regard to "hard" and "soft" sides of the spine.

For fishing applications the guides on a spinner should be on the soft side, on a casting rod they should be on the hard side. This helps to keep the rod from trying to twist or roll over in your hands while fighting a fish.

For a pure tourney casting rod, IMHO, the guides should be placed on the soft side of the blank. This does a few positive things for you during an all out powercast.

1 - It helps prevent the rod from twisting or rolling over in your hand during the cast.

2 - It allows you to load the rod easier. This may be disputed by those that really like the stiffest rod possible, but it works for me.

3 - It allows for quicker rod tip recovery. The rod is unloading "into" the hard side of the blank and this really helps to slow down the rod tip oscilation after the cast.

Tommy

[eric]

interesting.
based out what people said already.
wouldnt on a conventional wrap on the hard side, hard to load but fight fish easier, then guides on soft side?

[Tommy]

That's right ooeric.

Fishing conventional - Guides on hard side.

Tournament casting conventional - Guides on soft side.

Tommy

[curtisb]

Yep, said what Tommy said but just a little more technically put(sorry for the confusion).

CB

[Don B]

There is always confusion regarding the hard and soft sides of a blank. There are 2 hard sides and 2 soft sides. The hard and soft sides are usually about 90 degrees displaced. If is often easier to refer to the inside and outside of the curve.

I put together a couple of short paragraphs to better explain spines. It caused quite a bit of controversy as many custom rod builders do not believe in addressing spine issues during building.

http://www.donstacklehawaii.com/information/spine.htm

Don

[gone_fishing]

Philly...would your guy be James? I am still researching...may defer until I can test some rods.