My first build!

[LunkerCity]

This is my first rod, hopefully I'll have it done for trout on Saturday!

I think I went too long, but it will be a good dead stick if nothing else. 50" medium blank, 1/4-5/8 oz graphite. Going to start on eyes when I'm finished surfing the forums. I have a little filing to do on the handle yet, but I'm happy with what I've done so far.

[LunkerCity]

Well I put in a long night (all night). I got all my eyes wrapped and ready for finish. I didn't make it easy on myself. I should have used single footed eyes for one. For two I pick some chrome colored thread which seemed much harder to work with than my blue thread(it was really slippery). All and all I'm pretty happy with the turnout. It is more stiff than I was hoping, but it will work well for Pike and big Lakers.

[upnorth]

With that blue on a dark rod, if you don't use color preserver it will really discolor when you put the epoxy on.

[LunkerCity]

Thanks for the tip, how bad will it be? Just darker? I may regret it, but I want to fish with it on Saturday so I'm going to go ahead with the finish... hopefully its alright, I'll definitely learn something:)

[Brad B]

lunkercity,

was that blue thread just regular nylon wrapping thread or was it NCP type thread (no color preserver needed) or the color fast thread from pro wrap that mud holes sells.

[mrklean]

looks good

[upnorth]

Most likely just darker. Just be sure to get the epoxy on as evenly as possible or it may not discolor evenly.

[LunkerCity]

Brad, I think it was just nylon. It turned out darker, but still looked good. I had to shoot pool league and took it off the finishing motor before I should have. The epoxy sagged a little, but I just put a little heat on it and it turned out OK. I learned a heck of a lot. Got a few ideas and a functional rod. I will be doing things differently next time for sure. Thank you for all the tips and help guys. The one thing that bugs me about building is, I can't feel the blanks before ordering. I wish I could play with them and see what kind of action before paying for them... Oh well, just have to keep a note pad I guess.

[upnorth]

I normally leave the rod in the dryer overnight.

Picking blanks is a little rough and ice rods can be worse. Line weight, action and lure weight will give you a pretty good idea of what it will be like.

[A.W.Wolfram]

Looks good LC