KudzuLander

Well it looks like it's time to do a spiral wrap then. I've never fished with one so I need to try it out anyway. Thanks for the "kick in the pants" guys, the next rod I build for myself will be a spiral wrap. David

Justtrying, thanks, I really appreciate that! I don't do anything special on my wraps. On double-footed guides I use a pair of dividers to make sure both wraps are equal in length, but as far as wrap length I just use "eyeball proportions", making wraps on successively smaller guides successively shorter. I don't even count turns on trim wraps, I just wrap them till "they look right". Don't sell yourself short, I've only built 8 or 9 rods at this point. I do take pains getting the wraps tight. I use a Flexcoat wrapper (manual) and am constantly packing the thread as I turn the blank slowly. My right hand is in constant motion packing with a Gudebrod burnishing tool. Yep, I'm slow... and glad I don't depend on this for a living. I use 2 coats of finish (no flaming). The first one very thin so when it cures I can trim off any thread nubs that show up. I've been practicing marbleizing after reading ReelMech's tutorial on his web site but don't think I'm ready to go there yet. Using his sticky tutorial on this forum I'm going to start doing some single thread inlays though. Maybe some spiral wraps too. David

I should acknowledge publicly that it was due to some of ReelMech's posts on this forum and a couple of email conversations with him that I started to build again after not doing any building since the late 1960's as a teenager. I started building again this past February and have built about 8 or 9 rods so far. Thanks for getting me started again, David! ReelMech's knowledge & skills, along with his tutorial posts are tremendous assets to those of us still learning this craft. No matter what, every time I have asked him for help or advice he has been there for me. THANKS REELMECH!!! David

Wow ReelMech, I really appreciate those kind words! The reason I emailed you is that I have such a hard time judging my own work and I hold your opinion in high regard. Thanks again! That burl is just regular old burl cork that I have been buying from Cabelas (best price for basic burl, seems to be permanently on sale @ $10.99 per 25). That grip does have Tru-Oil applied, good eye David! I have some of Andy's exotic burl on hand, just been sitting on it until my skills improved enough to use the more expensive stuff. I'll probably use some of it on a light-line bass rod I want to build for personal use. I really like Andy's ThreadMaster finish too. Thanks again David, David Bethlehem, GA

Thanks for the kind words Fletchero! The thread is regular nylon Gudebrod #521 dark green with Gudebrod color preserver and ThreadMaster finish. I took the photo in direct sunlight, really makes that thread sparkle. David

Here's a couple of pics of my latest build. American Tackle Matrix 783 blank, Fuji Alconite New Concept Guides, Burl grip with slight palm swell, no foregrip, knurled metal winding check. David

You can turn the rod by hand, 180 degrees every few minutes until you're satisfied the finish has set up enough not to sag. My advice... either make up a simple dryer out of some scrap wood and add a cheap motor, or take the plunge and buy a commercial dryer if you think you'll build more than one rod. Turning by hand will get you by for that first rod but it gets old in a hurry on subsequent builds. Shoot me a PM and I'll be glad to send some links for cheap low RPM motors. Kudzu

Thanks guys! I knew you'd come through for me. Kudzu

Guys, this is something I should already know but here goes... At what water temp do largemouth typically start spawning? If location is a factor I'm in north Georgia. Thanks, Kudzu

An Uncle taught me way back in the early 60's. Sadly he was taken by cancer a few years later at age 33. Thanks Uncle Gene, I'll never forget you.

What ReelMech said! His website is a great resource so be sure to check it out. It's partially due to ReelMech that I got back into the rodbuilding craft after a 35 year hiatus. He also recommended that same book to me, and I agree with him that it is a must have item. If you'll PM me I'll send you a list of web sites where you can get components and lots of information. Kudzu

Bethlehem, Georgia, about 45 miles NE of Atlanta and about an hour away from Lake Lanier.

I finally got a "fish finder" this year. I learned not to use it as a "fish finder" though, it really should be called a "structure finder". Used properly it can be an awesome tool.

Just wanted to bring this topic back around for anyone who might have missed it earlier. Folks, if you can help Ryan and his family in this time of crisis, please do.

Thanks for letting us know about this. I'll be dropping what I can afford in the mail tomorrow. KudzuLander Bethlehem, GA

My Quantum 860 PT-XM, with the BPS Extreme running second. I also own a Curado and a Castaic; decent reels for sure but in my opinion they would be overpriced at half their selling price. WAY too much plastic for reels in their price range. Well, got to get my flameproof drawers on... ;D

Davmac, this thing is great! I checked their website tho, and unfortunately those downloads are only for PC's (I'm a hardcore devoted Mac user). Hopefully I'll be able to figure this thing out as I go... Fatback Bethlehem, GA

OK guys, I ended up with a FishMark 320 finder. Cool since it can be used as a portable with a battery pack or can be mounted to my boat and hooked up to the trolling motor battery. Took the boat out this afternoon for a couple of hours just to play with my new toy... This thing is great! I have a lot to learn as far as interpreting what I'm seeing, but can see already that just leaving it in "auto" mode will help a lot. Thanks again to all who replied, your advice is invaluable and I'm learning a lot just reading other topics here (shows that even an old f*rt like me can still learn new tricks). FatBack (Bethlehem, GA)

Many thanks to everyone that replied... On Davmac's advice, I'm looking into a portable unit. Sounds like it would be ideal for the River Hawk boat I got on eBay a few weeks ago. Oh, and Davmac, I agree. This is a great forum and the forum users are absolutely fantastic. Tight lines, Fatback (Bethlehem, GA)

Thanks DAVMAC, by portable do you mean the type that clamps on? I thought i was looking for the type that mounts more or less permanently but maybe that's something to consider... fatback

First of all I want to thank everyone who posts here... I've been fishing seriously for over 30 years and still learn a lot on these forums. I have no experience with fishfinders whatsoever but am ready to buy my first one. I'd appreciate any advice you folks could offer on which one to buy in the $100-$150 range. Most of my fishing is done in a local lake that is only about 20 feet deep at it's deepest point. Thanks in advance...

Bethlehem, north central Georgia. Well known Lake Lanier is about 35 miles from here.