Well I finally finished my jig rod. SCIII 7' MH fast tip. Split grip no fore grip and spiral wrapped with 4J micros.

First micro build and 3rd rod overall.

Camera doesn't let me zoom in close enough to show detail due to the flash being too harsh.

Eric

Thats nice  

Is this your first spiral wrapped?

Nice!!!!!!!! May I ask what the benifit is of the spiral wrap?

Thanks

Thanks.

FishingBuds,

Yeah that is my first spiral wrap that I completed. I made a couple of "practice wraps" on an old rod I stripped down to use as a practice tool.

Bassectomy,

The main benefits of a spiral wrap is added rod stability and overall weight reduction.

When under load, the rod tip will twist to the lowest point. If the guide is already at the lowest point, then there is no twist.

It also will allow for the use of fewer guides as you are not trying to keep the line "floating" above the blank while under load. Fewer guides mean less weight added to the blank. Less weight means faster blank recovery and more sensitivity.

Eric

Man, I really like the real seat, the guide selection, the handle layout... You did a killer job!  I'm a huge spiral wrap and micro guide fan. I think you've built a rod you'll enjoy for quite some time.  Superb job!

Thank ya' kindly.

Eric

What was total cost to build a rod that nice? She looks real purdy!

How is it working using a BLNSG 6 stripper?  I am going to go micro when I spiral wrap my Avid.  

Cravin,

Thank ya.

The price was about $125 for the blank and components. I am not counting thread or epoxies as I had those on hand.

Bowtech,

I honestly feel that using the 6 butt guide did not cost me any distance on the cast or pitch. The blank is rated for 3/8 - 1 oz lure weights, and I can still pitch a 1/4 oz jig 35 feet. Lures that are within the blanks rated range cast very well.

After the 6 butt guide, it is all 4Js to the first guide from the tip, including the bumper. No rub or drag during the transition.

I set the butt guide off about 2-5 degrees, away from the spiral so the line comes straight on the top of the blank back to the reel. This was enough to keep the line from stacking to one side of the reel during the retrieve.

The only drawback to micros are the tops. You can not find any with a 4 ring with a 6.5 tube. Size 6 rings are the smallest that I have found so far that have a tube to fit a 6.5. Some guys are splitting the tube to fit the tops up to a 6 tube.

Total weight of the build is 4 3/8 oz. or 124 grams. Blank weight was listed at 2.900 oz. by St. Croix. Forgot to weigh the blank on my scales prior to beginning the build.

Eric

As you know, the job of the butt guide is to simply keep the line off the blank while the blank is under load. I'm using a 6mm at about 90 degrees, than a 4 to transition the line to running 3mm guides to the tip. I often have to split my tops as well and have never had a problem with one coming loose.

Again, great build!

I'm thinkin of making that exact rod actually, and happened to come across it here.  7' MH fast SCIII casting with a split grip.  I was toying with the idea of a split real seat too but I don't really know how I would do that as I haven't seen the parts in any catalogues.  I'm thinking of using the rod as a jig and general  heavier cover plastics rod.  I want to do a spiral wrap too but what are the benefits of going micro on the guides?  

I thought about using recoil guides too for really no reason except it would be cool.  

Eric, all I can say is nice.   I've done a couple of spinning rod kits but nothing like that.    Here I thought you only build great cranks.

Thanks Marty. I am going to have to get to building a new batch of cranks after my next rod. I actually need to start on some shallow cranks for the upcoming prespawn. You know the ones that only run 10-12 feet. ;D

Going to be building a Purple Heart themed worm rod for my dad. Everything should be here next week.

Al,

As far as the micros go, the main reason for using them is reduction in weight.

10 BLAG 4Js weigh in at a whopping .5 grams. 10 LSG 3.5s weigh in at a heavy .41 grams. 1 BFAT 4.5 /(3.9) tip top weighs in at 1.5 grams It takes more than 30 3.5s 0r 30 4Js to equal the weight of the above listed tip top. Get an Idea of the weight savings?

You use less thread while wrapping them, and less epoxy in sealing the wrap. You save alot of weight when all three of these come together.

They do have some added bonuses just due to design. They are small. Smaller than you will believe untill you see them. You can pass a BLAG 4J through the eye of a BLNSG 6J.

Since they are all together smaller, they are less likely to be damaged by a misplaced shoe while standing on the deck. They also do not tangle with other rods in the rod locker as easily. Less likely to have an eye knock off while pulling a rod from the locker as well.

They are not right for every situation, nor every line. I lost casting distance when useing 20lb P-Line XXX with the 4 Js. That stuff just has too much memory.

Eric

(Edit due to forgotten sentence.)  

You don't know what shallow water looks like ;D

If my ears only hurt a little and I almost run out of breath while swimming to the bottom to retrieve my favorite crank. That's shallow, right?  ;D    ;D

Eric