My first from Scratch Rod Build

blaminack · Billfish Joined: 12 Jul 2009 Posts: 762

Here are some CRAPPY photos of a rod that I have been working on. It is the LSBM1083M that Obie recommended. Ernie and I cut off two inches from the tip and went with 8 guides that are smaller than the norm for Gulf Coast piers. It starts at a 50 and goes to 10s at the tip. It will SLING a cig or LY, and is light and smooth. It casts so nice!

Please excuse the photo quality. I have a terrible time getting decent pics no matter the lighting.

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Master of the obvious...

blaminack · Billfish Joined: 12 Jul 2009 Posts: 762

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Master of the obvious...

Jigslinger · Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 7:41 pm Post subject:

Nice work, especially on your first one.

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Rob

jewfish · Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 7:53 pm Post subject:

I used it last night for a couple minutes and I am really impressed. Now give this man a powerwrapper and look out!

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Kingfshr · Cobia Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 425

Good job Bill . Looks great with that black reel.
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I'd rather be Pompano fishing !

Tiderider · Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:51 pm Post subject:

Nice work Bill!!! I've done several of those blanks now and they arn't too shabby. Perfect light bait king rod.
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Go Fishing you can't catch them sitting on the couch!!!

blaminack · Billfish Joined: 12 Jul 2009 Posts: 762

Thanks! Believe me, the photos don't come close to what the rod really looks like. I was skeptical when I first pulled to rod out of the packaging but it is awesome now that it is built. Thanks for all of the advice! Thanks to Ernie too!
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Master of the obvious...

BrownMarlin · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 8:22 am Post subject:

Nice looking rod! Now all you need is a live bait and some BFTs to storm the pier

sunofish · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 12:52 pm Post subject:

Congratulation on your fist rod build. Look like you did a very good job on it.

robertyb · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 4:24 pm Post subject:

Looks good Bill. I now have another reason to return ASAP. I want to see it and throw it in person. Never threw a lefty VS before. Show us the reel on it.
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Ernie & Linda · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 9:58 pm Post subject:

Looks good Bill. I read the original artical again in rod builder .org . i guess ill try one.
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blaminack · Billfish Joined: 12 Jul 2009 Posts: 762

Thanks Ernie. With some good color combos and several coats between they will really look incredible.
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Tiderider · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 12:05 am Post subject:

Hey Bill, I was just looking back at your pictures and realized you didn't wrap the center of the plate reelseat. Do you know something I don't?
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Go Fishing you can't catch them sitting on the couch!!!

blaminack · Billfish Joined: 12 Jul 2009 Posts: 762

Well nothing crazy. This particular seat didn't have a dip in it across the middle. I don't remember the model#. The plate seat that I have on the Roddy rod did and I wrapped it down the first time. I left it off when I rewrapped it to replace the twine with cork tape. I have not fished it yet but I will soon.

By the way I am totally loving this rod. I was skeptical but now I am convinced that, this rod is a BEAST, and fishes SO NICE!
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Master of the obvious...

Tiderider · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 9:09 am Post subject:

Hey Bill is this the reel seat you used? If so it may just have a cover and skirt to hide the center thread wrap.
http://www.mudhole.com/Shop-Our-C...pe/Fuji-NS7-Plate-Type-Reel-Seats
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Go Fishing you can't catch them sitting on the couch!!!

blaminack · Billfish Joined: 12 Jul 2009 Posts: 762

Alas! You are totally right. I am wondering now if I should leave it as is. I wish it was actually in the center. The offset placement throws off my eye and makes it look odd. Besides that, if there is any torque it would be towards the butt end pulling it up some. I may wrap it.... Thanks Obie. I love getting my info from folks like you and Ernie that truly know what they are doing.
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Master of the obvious...

Tiderider · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 10:10 am Post subject:

Yeah, I haven't seen any plate seats where the center wrap is actually centered. If I was you I'd wrap it. Wrapping it will also help to ensure the cork tape doesn't slip on the rod under the seat. Thanks for the nice words. I've learned much by trial and error and continue to learn on nearly every rod.
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Go Fishing you can't catch them sitting on the couch!!!

blaminack · Billfish Joined: 12 Jul 2009 Posts: 762

Until reading this about the cork tape I was leaning towards not wrapping it because I tried to test for flexing and torque with really high drag pressure and was satisfied that no matter the reasonable drag that I would ever use on this rod there was no flex. I had not thought of the cork tape sliding.... still thinking about it.
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Master of the obvious...

outlawsr <0)))>{ · Billfish Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Posts: 744

I actually had my old fuji seat like this one break even with three spots wrapped it broke the aft end from wear it cracked i ened up taking it off and just tapping the reel on .I would defiantly wrap the middle down I never really had problems with the tape cork sliding as i put a few lines of super glue down just b4 applying the cork tape so it was fixed on the rod good if you guys are having problems try the small lines of super glue down the blank to help hold the cork tape

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