Rod modification

Dnkpro · June 27, 2020, 03:09:41 PM

I'm building my post count and asking a serious question here. I've built a few rods from scratch and one of them is amazing and I spent a little extra money on the guides in building it. I absolutely love the rod and have been thinking about what I do best, tinker with stuff.

I have a few rods that I feel are lacking since they're a little cheaper and I'm sure the guides are very low end. If I stripped the guides off and replaced them with a better quality guide could I bump the sensitivity up a little without having to buy another blank and start over. Has anyone done this or seen anyone do it and what we're results?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Dnkpro · June 28, 2020, 08:35:56 AM

Anyone?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Fun4me · June 28, 2020, 10:06:46 AM

Only one way to find out IMO. Try it.

Personally, I wouldn't mess with higher end guides on a cheaper rod, especially if I had the ability to build my own from scratch.

Having said that, I'm interested in the results should you try it.

Dnkpro · June 28, 2020, 11:29:30 AM

I may tinker with it I guess. Maybe a few weeks and I'll post a result. I guess if it's a complete bust I'll buy a new blank and start over entirely

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Dnkpro · June 28, 2020, 01:10:28 PM

I guess really what I'm curious is how much is sensitivity is transferred through blank vs guides. I understand there's a lot more to it such as line choice, strength, and familiarity. But I feel at some point the part that touches the line has to do quite a bit too.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

loomisguy · June 28, 2020, 01:57:22 PM

Putting a guide like Torzites on a poor blank is pretty much perfume on a pig.
I'd much rather have a good blank and just a good guide like Alconites.
I just had Joe Burns in East Tennessee build me a rod on a Rainshadow thats really good at a reasonable price.

Dnkpro · June 28, 2020, 02:19:32 PM

Quote from: loomisguy on June 28, 2020, 01:57:22 PM
Putting a guide like Torzites on a poor blank is pretty much perfume on a pig.
I'd much rather have a good blank and just a good guide like Alconites.
I just had Joe Burns in East Tennessee build me a rod on a Rainshadow thats really good at a reasonable price.

Good perspective. My MHX is pretty good especially considering I got in on sale for $80 and it's one of the best in my collection. It has alconite fuji micros. I'd like to dump all of my rods and just build a few haha

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Pferox · June 28, 2020, 11:56:10 PM

I found an old style ugly stick by the side of a trash can on shore one day. The only thing wrong that I could see was the damaged grip and a couple of guides were rotted off from salt water fishing.

I stripped the guides off and used some middle of the road stainless steel guides and some tennis racket wrap for the grip. I called it FrankenRod, just to be funny, but it does look pretty rough.

I can't say much for sensitivity because it is an E-glass blank, but it is a pretty tough rod now. I have brought in some mid sized shark and bull reds with it and it worked like a MH rod is supposed to. Can't expect more than that, I guess.