Custom Rod Question

[Zib]

A musky guide that I know had a musky casting rod built that starts with the guides on top but as they go toward the rod tip they go under the rod & the guide at the tip ends up being on the bottom side of the rod like on a spinning rod. Has anyone ever made a rod like this? What do you guys think of a rod built this way?

[Orion]

What is the reason for that? I can't think of a good reason.

[Sixgun]

That's called an "Acid" wrap, Roberts wrap, or Spiral wrap. terminology just depends on who you talk to.

The purpose as I understand it is to not "torque" the rod when you are fighting the fish. With the guides being under the the blank whichever direction the fish goes it is always "pulling" down on the spine. With the guides on top, as in a conventional casting application, a sideways run will try to force the rod tip to twist.

I'm not sure if one is better than another, but I think an Acid wrap looks kinda cool.

Ray

[Orion]

Ohhhh

[Zib]

That's called an "Acid" wrap, Roberts wrap, or Spiral wrap. terminology just depends on who you talk to.

The purpose as I understand it is to not "torque" the rod when you are fighting the fish. With the guides being under the the blank whichever direction the fish goes it is always "pulling" down on the spine. With the guides on top, as in a conventional casting application, a sideways run will try to force the rod tip to twist.

I'm not sure if one is better than another, but I think an Acid wrap looks kinda cool.

Ray

Ya that's the explination I got from the musky guide. He say's that rod is by far his favorite rod.

[Mattman]

Advantages to spiral wrapping in my opinion

[Spike-A-Pike]

With the quality of modern spinning reels these days and the advantage of having the guides under the rod, I fail to understand the advantages of a spiral wrapped bait caster. Can someone explain it to me?

[SmokeyJ]

With the quality of modern spinning reels these days and the advantage of having the guides under the rod, I fail to understand the advantages of a spiral wrapped bait caster. Can someone explain it to me?

Matt explained all the advantages of spiral-wrapped vs. standard baitcaster, so I guess it seems like your question is more along the lines of why use a baitcaster at all when you can just use a spinning reel with the guides on the bottom anyways? I am using a baitcaster for the first time this season, so I don't know, but typically the advantages you hear about are less line twist, handle heavier line better, allow for more accurate casts, and probably other things. Someone else can probably explain it better.

[Mattman]

With the quality of modern spinning reels these days and the advantage of having the guides under the rod, I fail to understand the advantages of a spiral wrapped bait caster. Can someone explain it to me?

1) Right tool for the right job. Baitcasting reels will always have their place and are at times a better option than spinning reels. A casting reel is much more of a winch and easier to retrieve deep diving lures or fish burried in cover. Line twist is something you don't have to worry about. They manage heavier lines much better. Typically less prone to damage. More compact design.

2) Personal preference. Sounds like you prefer spinning. I've got plenty of customers that prefer casting. And I do very light casting rods for them so they can toss tiny 1/16 ounce baits. Seems like a spinning application if I've ever seen one, but the customer insists on a casting rod.

[bemidjibasser]

There are a bunch of good explanations on rodbuilding.org just type in spiral wrap or acid wrap as Mattman said and you will find a ton of info. I also will not build another rod with guides on top for my self again. As far as bass applications, it is not extremely noticable as far as torque elimination, but it is there. If you are after big toothy critters, I would strongly recommend a spiral wrap, for the above mentioned reasons.

[smirkplug]

I've had 6-7 Roberts wrap rods for over 5 years. The lack of line to rod rubs was my reason for having them built. ( They look cool too !) For me an advantage that hasn't been mentioned, that i've found is in casting, of all things ! I've found alot less backlash and alot smoother casts on my 8-9 foot saltwater jig sticks ! I probably loose a few yards of distance in my casts, but the turns in my guides seem to soften that jerky overrun you sometimes get with a heavy jig or plug especally when casting into the wind.