Blanks Almost all of the rods purchased are from the ELT blanks, (Elite Rods Line) if a client prefers, I’m able to get almost any other manufactures blank on the market but the blanks we recommend are built right here in the USA. Besides being a light weight blank, our blanks are not covered in paint. While painted blanks can be “pretty”, they hide imperfections, add cost, and it makes the rod heavier. I personally like to fish with a rod that is as light as possible to get the maximum performance each blank was designed for. Adding unnecessary weight (paint) to a blank dampens the recovery of the finished rod resulting in the rod performing like a lower modulus rod, not to mention less sensitivity. Click here for more information on modulus Most of our ELT blanks are designed to have more of a mid section flex. This design helps absorb potential line slack when fighting a fish. I also believe it increases accuracy by having a consistent uniform bend and when loaded up can also have a bungee effect to remove fish from heavy cover. Our fast tips, when matched with the right bait and technique also improves cast ability and accuracy.

 

 

 

Handles:

To keep weight and your cost at a minimum, most of our handles are split grip and built with either a high density ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or premium A grade cork. Corners could be cut here on quality but with time it would show. I would rather provide a high quality rod handle that will last then cut corners to improve my bottom line. The EVA handles are my personal favorite due to comfort, looks, and better consistency than cork. They also are easier to keep clean. (Just wipe down with alcohol)

The cork that we selected for our handles is the best quality that I could find. Unlike using cork from China, ours is grown in Portugal. You should notice less pits and fillers as it is a higher grade. Selecting cork for your rod gives you a “slight” advantage in weight reduction and traditional look. Although more expensive than EVA, cork is still preferred by a lot of people for its feel and appearance.

Other handle options are available but these are the most popular.

Micro Guides:

Before they were offered on mass produced rods, we were getting the benefits of micro guides on our rods since early 2009. When properly set up, the advantages of using micro guides are huge. Here’s what comes to mind:

1. Lighter

2. Longer cast

With a reduction in weight, the blank is able to return to a still state quicker during a cast resulting in less line slap (breaking friction) from the guides. We’re not talking miracle distances here, just a small advantage that turns into big advantages when considering all of the other factors. I personally think the advantage is more noticeable with the ease of shorter pitches and roll casts. If there is less friction, the pitches and shorter casts are smoother and reach their target with less effort and more accuracy.

3. Increased sensitivity

By eliminating weight

4. A better balanced rod

by reducing weight in front of the reel seat. (I think micros reduce around 1/3 of the finished guide weight when compared to using conventional sizes but this also has many variables i.e., amount of thread and coats of epoxy / high or low build, quantity, etc.)

5. Less fatigue at the end of the day

due to a weight reduction and better rod balance.

6. More accurate cast

Due to less line slap friction and a rod that is comfortable to fish with when built around you.

7. The line is close to the blank resulting in less twisting force on a rod.

Think of it as a wrench on a pipe with the blank being the pipe. The higher your hand is on the handle (or the farther the line is away from the blank) the easier it will be to twist under a force. I also believe by keeping the line near the blank improves accuracy. In essence, the line becomes part of the blank when flexed for a cast. With the proper guide placement, the line will follow the radius of a flexed blank. Ensuring the rod delivers the full power and hook setting strength it was designed for.

If you’re still not convinced in micro guides, consider this: When casting, fighting a fish, or just going thru the motions, a round piece of fishing line passing thru the guide ring will only touch 1 part of the ring diameter at any given time. The rest of the guide / ring are just added weight.

 

Reasons to stay with traditional sized guides:

1. Shouldn’t Ice up as quick

2. Pass knots from braid to fluorocarbon leaders easier

Spiral Wrap:

A spiral wrap is an option on our custom rods. This consists of the guides spiraling (rotating) around the blank 180 degrees from the reel to the lower part of the rod. This unique appearance, along with it being more complex to build, may be what keeps mass produced rods from using this method. The following is a list of the main reasons why I use them on all of the casting rods that I build for myself.

1. The center of gravity of a rod is lowered, so when fighting a fish the rod acts much like a spinning rod does. It is very stable making it easier to control and fight the fish.

2. It keeps the line off of the blank when loaded with a fish. This allows the blank to require fewer and smaller guides resulting in the advantages I listed under Micro guides.

3. I’m told they are more accurate, can cast farther, and will make a rod last longer. With all the variables involved with that statement, it would be hard for me to prove. I can say I haven’t seen where it hurts your accuracy or casting distance so in my opinion, why not have another advantage to get your limit.