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I'm fairly new to making saltwater rods, but I have recently purchased a couple of XRA-1203 1-piece rods. My end goal is to mate these blanks to a reel and guide combinations that will enable me to cast 1.5-2.5oz. bucktails from Hattaras inlet somewhere into the Straights of Gibraltar.
Initial thoughts were to pair the rods with a Penn 525mag conventional reels (12-15 lb test with leader) with 6 Fuji LVLG guides: 25, 25, 20, 20, 16, 16, +tip. Naturally, I would check guide size and numbers with appropriate load tests and casts before wrapping them up permenantly. I'm willing to recheck my assumptions though.
First off, do you think that the 525mag reel is a good choice for casting distance when throwing lures in this light a category on this blank, or would I be better served with a spinning reel or alternative conventional? I prefer conventional reels, but I'm primarily interested in cast distance here so I'm willing to mate a spinning reel to the blank if it will get me that much closer to Portugese waters.
Second, what guides and sizes would be ideal for this blank? Should I stick with the LV SpinCast guides, or would I be better served with the LC Surf guides in SiC or the Concept BLNAG guides in Alconite?
I appreciate any comments or answers, and apologize sshould my questions extend beyond the typical bounds of this forum.
Jim
Sounds like an Avet MXL, or SX would fit the bill nicely...
Lou574
The 525mag is very good overall reel, but does have limitations. I've thrown 1.5 -2.5 oz bucktails from the surf but really the reel is intended for throwing metal lures or large wood/plastic plugs. Throwing the bucktails do not go very far anyway and you would have to adjust the reels to the lowest setting possible on the 525 mag (i.e very difficult to free spool). I have used different casting angles, leader lengths, etc..... and the results are then same. You can use alternative like the international or shimano calcutta.
As for the rod I have built a few (and planning to build more) and the one thing to remember is that finding the correct spline or curve. I have experienced when you roll the blank if have found two places that "jumps"
into the curve (on one rod I buil). I have placed guides on both splines and found that the number of the guide differs. Overall, if the line does not touch the blank under a load then your good to go..... but test it anyway.
Go with SiC, I also use Fuji's soft touch reel seat.
The LVLG guides are light action hardly spinning guides. I strongly suggest you consider any Fuji guide with an SIC ring, any configuration is your choice- LC surf or MNSG or HNSG. Guide spacing charts are available on line from several sources.
I have an XRA1203 built as a spinning rod and it is my favorite plug rod, I'm sure you will enjoy it.
As for your reel, I have a 525Mag and it will take some practice to become proficient. I use mine for baitfishing with 30# PowerPro. I use a Abu7000Narrow with an XRA1205 with big bucktails (2-5 oz) at Montauk and in the Cape Cod Canal. I like the levelwind when fishing during the night for the convenience, it doesn't seem to effect my distance that much.
I would suggest a Int. 965 or a ABU 6500 for the XRA 1203. I just finished a XRA1322 and plan on building one for myself, the rod was built for a Penn Int. 975. when I was test casting for the guide spacing I used my Newell 235 ( 25#braid) and a ABU 7000 (20# Mono) as well as the 975. They all felt great on the rod. So with the 1203 I would just lighten up on the reel slightly to take advantage of the lighter lures and line. Good luck