Do all rods have this?

[BASSclary]

I've been looking at my rods down the blank, similar to looking down the barrel of a gun, and have notice, there is always a slight curve near the tip.

Do all rods have it to some degree? I store my rods properly on a rod rack without the reels, so I don't think its that.

Or do all poles have slight imperfections like this.

[J Francho]

Some do right off the rack, others get bent in a hot vehicle.

[BASSclary]

Does this compromise my blanks strength/integrity?

Even if it is probably only 3/4 mm?

[BossHoss]

*goes to take the rods out of my car

I never knew that heat could affect a rod like that.  I have not noticed any bending, but I guess I will check now

[J Francho]

Probably not.  Maybe a rod builder could be more specific.

[Nine Miler]

From what I have seen, there are very few perfectly straight 1st quality blanks.

Rod builders generally have two schools of thought. Some build on the spine on the rod regardless of where the straightest axis may be. Others argue that the blank will stressed and bent on many different axes for bass fishing so the spine has little relevance. These guys build on the straightest axis with the belly down (tip high, butt high, center low) as the guides will tend to weigh down the skinny tip end of the blank a bit and help straighten out the appearance of the bend.

I don't build rods, but the evidence says to me that the spine probably is irrelevant for bass fishing, and the bend should have absolutely no negative impact on performance as long as it is very slight.

Most rods have it, don't sweat it.

[christopherjake]

Never really noticed.  I'll have to remind myself to check next time I look at my rods.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The slight curvature noticed when sighting down a rod will not adversely affect the rods performance or durability. It is naturally occurring. I don't believe temperatures in a vehicle would get hot enough, long enough to warp a modern blank.

Even the highest quality blanks can have some bend in the tip section. There are two schools of thought among rod builders. Some build on the spline of the rod. This refers to the direction the blank wants to rotate when under load. Those that advocate building on the spline feel that the technique reduces torque /twisting when landing fish. The other approach is to build on the straightest axis. This provides a straight guide train and a more visually appealing build. Unfortunately, the spline and straightest axis rarely align. I always test and locate the spline on a blank, but IMO, a bass rods performance is unaffected by the spline and almost always end up building on the straightest axis.

[Nine Miler]

DVT, I am flattered.  You took my amateurish post and professionalized it. 

[1inStripes]

How the heck do you see 3/4 of a millimeter 7 foot away?

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

DVT, I am flattered. You took my amateurish post and professionalized it.

Sorry,  my mistake, I rushed a response with out reading all the others. Nothing amateurish about it... you're right on the mark.

[BASSclary]

Are you looking at your rods when you have a lure tied to it and in a hook holder? If you do then that is probably what is causing your rod to bend slightly to one side. Take your lure off and let the line hang limp and you will be able to tell if your rod is bent.

No line no reel no nothing. Just the rod

[BASSclary]

How the heck do you see 3/4 of a millimeter 7 foot away?

Haha believe me, I just got my Crucial and was admiring my new tool of the trade for what was probably an hour before I noticed. And when I have my contacts in my eye sight is darn near just better than 20/20. I thouht it was just me at first, but then when my dad confirmed it, I knew

And Phweww!!! I was worried for a bit, but it doesnt sound like a problem now, thanks guys!  8-)

[tholmes]

I've noticed the same thing on some of my rods and always wondered about it.

It's good to know that it's no big deal.

Tom

[1inStripes]

How the heck do you see 3/4 of a millimeter 7 foot away?

Haha believe me, I just got my Crucial and was admiring my new tool of the trade for what was probably an hour before I noticed. And when I have my contacts in my eye sight is darn near just better than 20/20. I thouht it was just me at first, but then when my dad confirmed it, I knew

And Phweww!!! I was worried for a bit, but it doesnt sound like a problem now, thanks guys! 8-)

Wearing my contacts I've got pretty good sight for a referee, but 3/4 of a mm is almost impossible to spot.  Maybe 3-4 mm but even then its hairs.