BahamaRod Pics

[babalaza]

damm im way out of the rod building stuff

how good are those fuji guides? No rollers but they seem pretty cool

[canyongear]

Gotta love the Winthrop Tool Guides! We fish em they are awesome matched up to a titanium WT tip..Great rods! Nice veneer work with the shell. Custom only? or do you have a line of your basic sizes?
Capt Tim

[islandshark633]

MarlinMate-

here is a link to MudHole tackle's line of glitter additives -
http://www.mudhole.com/Shop-Our-Cata...r-Kit-9-Colors

please understand that I build rods and lures for a living, it's how I feed my children and there are a handful of things that I do that I simply will not share with anyone under any circumstances. Having said that I do remember from wence I came and in that light I will share a great majority of what I know on those subjects with anyone who cares to ask. I have the greatest repect for people building their own rods and lures, the level of satisfaction one can achieve when you or better, a friend, catches a fish with one of your creations, is tremendous.

I prefer the laminated shell sheets so I am 'condemed' to use the cracking method of application though I am very impressed with the vinegar bath method as described on this board.

Babalaza-

the FuJi SiC guides are awesome, that rod is a 50# jig rod for tunas using braided line on a Calstar GF 760 blank


Capt Jim-

I have some basic designs from decoration and rod components that I use but there is nothing set in stone, what's better than to work with a client to design and build a rod(s) to meet their exact requirements - and then exceed them?

The Winthrop guides are by far the best though price keeps them out of most people's hands, I have made several rods with them. Worth every penny though!

[Marlinmate]

Thanks for the link. May give it a shot on my next build. Your work looks great and more power to you for making a living out of it; something not a lot of people can do.

Tight wraps

[clt_capt]

Originally Posted by islandshark633

I prefer the laminated shell sheets so I am 'condemed' to use the cracking method of application though I am very impressed with the vinegar bath method as described on this board.

While I'm still learning, the results that Shoefish got with his method - Tuna Rod Build Start to Finish

are really great - I've done 2 gaffs and 1 rod with that method - still wrapping them, BUT I am extremely pleased with the lack of cracks.

I have used the sheets without sticky backing in the past - I believe that method would work as well with contact cement.

[islandshark633]

will the vinegar method allow you to wrap the shell, uncracked, under the guides then? All the way to the top of the rod where the blank diameter is maybe 1/4", or just at the base of the rod where it is much thicker?

the cracked method gives you flat facets that catch and reflect light very well. Also if you use the natural paua or Mexican Green hear you really can not even see the cracks at all as the patern is so busy. Here's one-

[Marlinmate]

Check with flatliner for more info on the vinegar method. I was in a tackle store where his rods were for sale, and I've got to say they are pretty sweet. His method will allow you to wrap near the tip of a blank. With the cracking method, the shell can only break so close.

[flatliner]

Originally Posted by islandshark633

will the vinegar method allow you to wrap the shell, uncracked, under the guides then? All the way to the top of the rod where the blank diameter is maybe 1/4", or just at the base of the rod where it is much thicker?

the cracked method gives you flat facets that catch and reflect light very well. Also if you use the natural paua or Mexican Green hear you really can not even see the cracks at all as the patern is so busy. Here's one-

Yep, nt a problem putting it all the way to the tip. When I do my rods, they have a paua band that is from " to 4" depending on the guide size. Basically, the interior portion under Aftco Wind-ons.

Kevin