Its officially rod building season

[thedude]

ya think?

a few on the bench:

[Cheetam]

You're supposed to be working on crankbaits, aren't you?

Nice looking stuff dude.

[thedude]

those were just to keep me busy until this shipment came in. Got a lot of eyes to tie before the last sat in april.

[Cy]

Dang!  You've been busy!  I feel like a slacker.  I only have one grip ALMOST done.

[Skeeter]

Hi all,  new here. Hope Im not being a jerk but, Dude-sir, Ive been building since november 1st..haha . 
I would like to ask if I could also offer my input to this rod building forum. Ive only been building for 3 yrs, but would like to offer my limited opinions to others on the board also.  If I may??? Not wanting to step on any toes or anything. Dude, may I ask you about your spiral micro guide placements on a 7' blank?  I know every blank is different, but at what measurements from the tip do you start placing your guides? (comparing notes )  I mostly use 9 guides 6DF 5SF then 4's or 3's to the end. Thanks!!! DG

[thedude]

i haven't done any micros yet - however all but 2 of the rods in that picture will get micros this go around. In the past i've used 10 guides (including the bumper) on a 7'+ rod. Starting with a sz7 Double foot for the 1st guide and the bumper, then all size 6s to the tip.
for spacing on most rods i use the spacing charts that fuji published for the concept guides. I start with those and then do the static deflection test which usually doesn't even require moving them.
For this batch i'm using size 7 df to a sz 6 single bumper, sz 5 transition and 3.5s the rest of the way down. For the spinning rods, i'm using sz 10, 8, 6 match guides down to 3.5s also.

[Cy]

I have the Fuji Concept spacing chart in a PDF is anyone wants it.  I can email it to you.  I don't know how easy it is to find on the Net.

[Skeeter]

Thanks Dude.  I'm on my 5th spiraled, micro guided baitcaster. I'm using the Batson guides. I also use the Fuji specs, although Ive found the need to move them a bit. I need to get the camera out and post up some pics of my builds.  I  have been cutting out and making my own 2pc seats. I know that pac-bay sells em now. haven't tried those yet.......Whats your blank of choice??
Unless you do alot of flipping and pitching you may be able to start out with a 6DF or even a 6SF then go to the smaller sizes as soon as you can. I'm probably preachin to the choir, not trying to offend your knowledge, just dropping some other ideas down. ( I have a 6'6" St croix that is a 6SF 2-5SF then 3's to the tip and it casts/works surprisingly really well!!) skeeter.

[thedude]

not at all skeeter - i've only been in the game a few years myself. Its my winter hobby, because, well lets face it - icefishing sucks!

i've got a bunch of the batson guides on order for these builds. Pretty excited to try them out after all the hype. I like the idea of spending less on guides and ending up with a lighter, better casting rod. I use alconites for the regular guides. I mostly build on batson's blanks as I feel they are the best bang for the buck. I've done a few on croixs and don't feel they are worth the extra money until you step up to a SCIV or SCV. Hoping to do a couple seeker s-glass crankin sticks in the future as well. I have a rod built on one and really like it. As for the seats - all these pictured are the new pac bay seats. First impression of them is they are gonna be great for spinning rods and light to medium duty baitcasters. The rod on the far left is an IMB845 - which is essentially a broom stick. It'll be my personal heavy cover pitchin rod. I went with the fuji ACS seat on this one because i really want the reel to be firmly planted in the seat and i don't want the rod to be able to flex there.  There were some reports of the early swampland/castaway seats (same as Airrus rods) not having a deep enough cup in the seat and reels popping out under the heavy impact of a 60lb braid hookset. I know at one point Airrus was taking back their commercial rods and guys in the factory were deeping that pocket by hand also - so it is fixable if it comes up. I read a few theories that the pac bay were the same, but from what i can tell, a standard baitcasting reel fits just fine so i'm not too worried about it. I think it was mostly speculation as they've only been available for about a month or so.

here's an imb743 jig rod i recently finished with the 7df, 7df, 6sf configuration i mentioned earlier. Of course, now i'm making one for myself too 

[AMAST77]

Where do you guys order these batson products?

[thedude]

www.customtackle.com
http://www.fishsticks4u.com/

www.batsonenterprises.com

[Waterfoul]

So... is mine done yet?  I think the lake across the street is about thawed after the last couple days!

If not... there's about 1' of water on TOP of the ice I could just cast into....

[thedude]

you can put a reel on it... might kinda hard to cast without guides though.....

[AMAST77]

www.customtackle.com
http://www.fishsticks4u.com/

www.batsonenterprises.com

Thanks for the help dude, I agree with your ice fishing fellings. I built my first rod last summer and have done five this winter. I am pretty happy with my results but those rods you have look awesome!
My next step is to try custome cork. What glue do you guys use to stick those rings together.

[thedude]

i use waterproof wood glue  like titebond II or higher. a lot of guys use epoxy but i dont like the hastle. I used titebond II to glue bottom boards to cork duck decoys and they float in the water for hours at a time with no issues so i have no problems using it.

[Skeeter]

Ditto on the Titebond II.   I have used the 2 part FlexCoat epoxy also.  Not bad.... kinda a pain like Dude said. Havent had any ill effects after the gluing with either. Skeeter.

[AMAST77]

Thanks for the help guys. I just placed an order for a couple of those batson blanks last night. I remembered all the other components except real seats.

Shipping sucks,

[BryanP]

AMAST77,

Not sure where you're located, but you might consider taking a drive to Jann's Netcraft in Maumee, OH.  It's worth a couple hour drive if you're looking for rod components.  They carry a ton of Batson blanks and components, plus Loomis, St Croix, Amtak, Sportsman Series blanks.  Fuji and Pac Bay guides and lots of cork and everything else you might need.  It's nice to be able to handle the blanks in person so you know what you're getting instead of guessing what "brand X" 7' MH feels like because every brand is different.

[AMAST77]

Thanks Bryan Im located in jenison it may be a long haul but I think I am just about bored enough to check it out. This may be the longest winter in history.
If your the bryan P Im thinking tell Greg that Aaron should have your hooks welded next week sometime. (If you happen to talk to him)

[thedude]

the guys at patriot rods in Gobles stock blanks. they also sell them online. I haven't been to the shop, but i believe you can go in and check out what they have.
http://patriotcustomrods.com/