G8RBob Posted February 23, 2017 Posted February 23, 2017 I recently acquired an older spiral wrapped rod, which I have come to appreciate. It throws very accurately and with good distance. As it is over 20 years old, it is a bit heavier than today's rods, but still is a good bass fishing rod. Some years ago, these type rods were highly regarded, but have since faded away. I wonder why. Curious. Sorry about the last photo. It has nothing to do with nothing. Bob 2 Quote
RichF Posted February 23, 2017 Posted February 23, 2017 I had an older Quantum Tour Gary Klein Signature Series rod that was spiral wrapped. It performed fine, I just couldn't get past the look. The guide that stuck out on the side got snagged all time when it went in and out of the rod locker also. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 23, 2017 Super User Posted February 23, 2017 They haven't faded away. Any custom builds I have made are always spiral wrapped. You use less guides, and keep the line off the blank. 3 Quote
Super User Angry John Posted February 23, 2017 Super User Posted February 23, 2017 I don't mind either way but the direction of the spiral needs to be correct so you can lay the rod down. In the one pictured it goes on the opposite side of the handle which means there is no way to put the rod down flat. It may be just me but it drives me nuts. Quote
Super User lmbfisherman Posted February 23, 2017 Super User Posted February 23, 2017 5 minutes ago, Angry John said: I don't mind either way but the direction of the spiral needs to be correct so you can lay the rod down. In the one pictured it goes on the opposite side of the handle which means there is no way to put the rod down flat. It may be just me but it drives me nuts. Man Angry John, every time I read your posts I see this "Angry" looking person typing all of your responses. Love the profile name! 1 Quote
crypt Posted February 23, 2017 Posted February 23, 2017 I had one of those Bud Erhardt rods years ago. he was doing a demo of them at a show in Orlando and sold a bunch that weekend. broke mine 2 years later and never tried another one. was a nice rod though. Quote
Super User lmbfisherman Posted February 23, 2017 Super User Posted February 23, 2017 As for the spiral wrap, I understand the concept and all...but for me it seems like the benefit really doesn't match the hype. This is just my opinion. 1 Quote
blckshirt98 Posted February 23, 2017 Posted February 23, 2017 I bought a used rod that was custom spiral wrapped and it's great. All else being equal if I had to choose between normal vs spiral I'd go with spiral, though that feature alone wouldn't deter me from buying/using a non-spiral wrapped rod. Quote
NYBasser Posted February 23, 2017 Posted February 23, 2017 Spiral wrapped rods help to prevent the rod from torquing sideways under heavy pressure. Not really necessary for freshwater bass fishing, but I've got a couple spiral wrapped rods for saltwater striped bass and tautog. Certainly helps when you've got a 30+ lb striper digging down... 1 Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted February 23, 2017 Super User Posted February 23, 2017 Just received two new Rainshadow Eternity built by ghoti. I now have a total of four spiral wraps... And they do live up to the hype. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 23, 2017 Super User Posted February 23, 2017 26 minutes ago, NYBasser said: Spiral wrapped rods help to prevent the rod from torquing sideways under heavy pressure. The main advantage for bass rods is less guides. I have a 7'9" custom swimbait rod, with spiral wrapped micros. Comes in under 3.5 oz. and uses around five less guides than similar standard production rods. 1 Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted February 23, 2017 Posted February 23, 2017 Hopefully This spring I'll carve out a few minutes to build a spiral demo stand. You'd be amazed at how little weight it takes to twist the blank. Certainly not insurmountable in bass fishing but 99% of what we discuss is a game of inches. This just one more little tweak we can do. The public at large just can't get past the unconventional look I think is why you don't see production rods done this way. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 23, 2017 Super User Posted February 23, 2017 5 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said: The public at large just can't get past the unconventional look I think is why you don't see production rods done this way. A well known pro that has his own rod company (you figure it out) said just about as much when I talked to him in person. He had prototypes of his entire top line rods with spiral micros, and he didn't think the masses would buy it, though he and a business associate loved the rods. Quote
noway Posted February 23, 2017 Posted February 23, 2017 Spoke with a custom rod builder last summer. Got on talking about spiral guides. His opinion was it was pretty much a fad a few years back. Said he hadn't built one in a while. 1 Quote
Super User kickerfish1 Posted February 23, 2017 Super User Posted February 23, 2017 Not for me either... Had a chance to cast a few custom builts a well known builder with a website had done. Was not overly wowed by anything about them plus depending upon how the rod is layed down on the deck or stored in a locker it just isn't for me. Quote
Super User WRB Posted February 23, 2017 Super User Posted February 23, 2017 Ken Huddleston swimbait rods come with Roberts wrap (spiral) guide train off the self. Tom Quote
Super User Jeff H Posted February 24, 2017 Super User Posted February 24, 2017 5 of my customs are spiraled. Wish every rod I have was... Quote
Super User Big Bait Fishing Posted February 24, 2017 Super User Posted February 24, 2017 5 hours ago, J Francho said: The main advantage for bass rods is less guides. I have a 7'9" custom swimbait rod, with spiral wrapped micros. Comes in under 3.5 oz. and uses around five less guides than similar standard production rods. how many guides did you use ??? on my 7'7'' rods i have 11 plus the tip . that's a super light swimbait rod , what blank ? 1 Quote
Super User fishwizzard Posted February 24, 2017 Super User Posted February 24, 2017 I have gotten a few custom spinning rods from a local builder and he is all about spiral wraps for casting rods. I might get him to build me a BFS rod this summer and let him spiral wrap it. I figure worst case I can have him remove the guides and replaces with conventional ones if I really hate it. Will I see much if any benefit if my max lure weight is around 5/16oz? Quote
Super User MickD Posted February 24, 2017 Super User Posted February 24, 2017 59 minutes ago, Big Bait Fishing said: how many guides did you use ??? on my 7'7'' rods i have 11 plus the tip . that's a super light swimbait rod , what blank ? You don't get a 7' 9" rod to come in under 3.5 oz just by cutting guides. It takes a very light blank, a very light, most likely skeleton seat, little cork, and yes, small guides. But the micros are so light that whether it has a few more won't affect the weight significantly. I wonder five fewer than what? Spiral usually doesn't result in five fewer. I have built and used spirals and I personally don't feel the torque that is the most commonly stated reason for spiral (don't feel it on regular rods). I can see it for really heavy duty rods, and the torque has to be a real factor there. But without having a torquing problem, and not liking the looks of the rods, I don't build them any more. I'm a little stumped by the configuration of the photo rod. Seems like it will cause the line to build up on one side of the reel. 4 minutes ago, Bunnielab said: I have gotten a few custom spinning rods from a local builder and he is all about spiral wraps for casting rods. I might get him to build me a BFS rod this summer and let him spiral wrap it. I figure worst case I can have him remove the guides and replaces with conventional ones if I really hate it. Will I see much if any benefit if my max lure weight is around 5/16oz? No on the torque, not likely on the weight. Quote
BassGirl71 Posted February 24, 2017 Posted February 24, 2017 10 hours ago, lmbfisherman said: As for the spiral wrap, I understand the concept and all...but for me it seems like the benefit really doesn't match the hype. This is just my opinion. I would have to agree. I have a friend that builds them - but I'm not sold on the idea. Also - what about the backbone of the rod? If you have a really hard hook set, it seems to me you'd get the same result as when the rod builder puts the guides on the wrong side of the rod.... usually it'll blow up. Just a thought.... Quote
Super User Big Bait Fishing Posted February 24, 2017 Super User Posted February 24, 2017 56 minutes ago, MickD said: You don't get a 7' 9" rod to come in under 3.5 oz just by cutting guides. It takes a very light blank, a very light, most likely skeleton seat, little cork, and yes, small guides. But the micros are so light that whether it has a few more won't affect the weight significantly. I wonder five fewer than what? Spiral usually doesn't result in five fewer. I have built and used spirals and I personally don't feel the torque that is the most commonly stated reason for spiral (don't feel it on regular rods). I can see it for really heavy duty rods, and the torque has to be a real factor there. But without having a torquing problem, and not liking the looks of the rods, I don't build them any more. I'm a little stumped by the configuration of the photo rod. Seems like it will cause the line to build up on one side of the reel. No on the torque, not likely on the weight. you have to remember the reel is upside down and you can't see the stripper guide , all my rods are spiral wrapped and the stripper is 0 degrees , i feel offstting the stripper a few degrees is unnessary . i never heard of less guides for a rod with mico guides compared to a conventional wrap , i prefer a few more micro guides if static testing calls for it . 5 less guides , would like pics and an explanation .. 1 Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 24, 2017 Super User Posted February 24, 2017 12 hours ago, Big Bait Fishing said: how many guides did you use ??? on my 7'7'' rods i have 11 plus the tip . that's a super light swimbait rod , what blank ? SC 4C79HF. I'll count them tonight. What's funny, I put an 11 oz. reel on it. Has a nice tip up balance. I didn't build the rod. Quote
Super User Big Bait Fishing Posted February 24, 2017 Super User Posted February 24, 2017 2 hours ago, J Francho said: SC 4C79HF. I'll count them tonight. What's funny, I put an 11 oz. reel on it. Has a nice tip up balance. I didn't build the rod. it can't be that blank as the blank it self weighs 3.6 oz. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 24, 2017 Super User Posted February 24, 2017 Maybe it was 4.5, then. It's been a long time since it was built. It's the lightest of any of my 7'+ rods. Quote
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