Eye Opener

[amateurfishing]

going thru & checking some of my equipment today, after learning so much at shows/seminars I thought I would actually get picky on quality. this pic is interesting as it shows pretty severe curve of guides

off line (IMO) of this off the shelf rod that is 2 years old

[Savage Brewer]

I noticed that it is more common on ice rods than open water rods, dont know why, maybe the QC department takes a vacation when it comes that time of year to make ice rods

[Brad B]

you get that to some degree with all ice rods. I build custom rods and the thing about ice rods is that the blank is such a small diameter and the size of the guide foot is generally larger then the blank that once the guide is wrapped on the blank it can slide and be come unaligned. once the epoxy is put on the thread the rod needs to be constantly turned to get the epoxy to smooth out and cure right. during this time the guides can slip too. if caught during the drying process it can be corrected, if not once it dries the guides are then set like that for good unless you re do them. factories that mass produce rods don't have the time to watch the guide alignment as they dry and correct them during that process. I have also had a few ice rods where the guides are correctly aligned when it is total dry and the rod blank had a twist to it giving the rod the look like the guides were misaligned.

[Surface Tension]

When putting the rod/reel combo away for the season I do two things.

Loosen the drag on the reel and take the line tension off the rod.

[Mr.Seaguar]

Did someone at a seminar tell you this sort of thing was gonna change how many fish you catch one way or the other?

[DTro]

I've seen much worse.

[amateurfishing]

Did someone at a seminar tell you this sort of thing was gonna change how many fish you catch one way or the other?

no, just difference in the quality of rod makers

but I would think if they are off and the line starting to constantly rub against them you have a chance for break off no?

[amateurfishing]

I've seen much worse.

.....but have you used them?

[pushbutton]

....that look like yours? Absolutely......and worse....and still caught fish without break offs

[Mr.Seaguar]

no matter where the guide is the line is still gonna rub against it. That's the idea behind having guides.

[dfeste]

I'm thinking I wouldn't be too worried about this causing break offs. No matter how you look at it the line has to touch the guide somewhere. It just might not always be dead on in the bottom center as intended.

[OnAFly]

The only problem I've had with ice rods that look like that is casting distance

[Eric_Kruger]

just go fishing....I build rods, it doesnt affect anything on an ice rod. If you wanna worry about it go ahead, but really your fine.

[CAMAN]

Have you ever seen a spiral wrapped rod?

They are sought after by many fisherman, I have a few myself, none of them have ever had a problem.

[amateurfishing]

Have you ever seen a spiral wrapped rod?

They are sought after by many fisherman, I have a few myself, none of them have ever had a problem.

it does not create any line issues? more difficult to reel in or let out?

[CaptainMusky]

In a word, no. Spiral wrapped guides are really the way to go for a casting rod. Its not necessary for a spinning rod since the guides are all on the bottom. Spiral wrapped rods are for casting rods only.

If you have ever seen a rod under load, which I am sure you have, the big thing is that with the guides on top the tendency is for the rod to want to turn over due to the torque being applied by the load. With Spiral wrapped rods this is essentially eliminated.

The ONLY reason you do not see more of them is because people think they look funny and wont buy them.

[CAMAN]

it does not create any line issues? more difficult to reel in or let out?

Nope, some even claim casts go further with a spiral wrap, though I have never tested that claim for myself.

[amateurfishing]

someone posted that earlier but I thought it was a joke.....how is casting an issue on the ice?

[Slabasaurus]

someone posted that earlier but I thought it was a joke.....how is casting an issue on the ice?

I believe onafly was indeed joking.

Though... my first or second outing this spring I was fly casting on the ice into a 6x12 foot pocket of open water. casting wasn't the issue as much as finding a way to release the fish that wasn't detrimental to my survival, or that of the fish's.

OT: The only rods I have that aren't a little crooked are the ones I wrapped myself. Even then, I think the only one that isn't at all crooked is the perch sweetheart... I think I messed up one of the guides on my noodle (that was my first rod build, and them things get really tricky to wrap at the tip). Regardless, I've not noticed any major issues as a result.

[CAMAN]

someone posted that earlier but I thought it was a joke.....how is casting an issue on the ice?

It isn't, but you asked if it causes any line issues when reeling in or letting it out, I was giving an example that it doesn't add any more issues that a standard straight rod.