[Mechanic Bob]

Finished the Wife's rod. Have "MicroWave" guides on it and it shoots out the line like it is attached to a rocket.
Hope to test it out on a few Reds in a couple of weeks.

 

[dbeam]

That looks really good, she should be able to pick it out of the stack without too much trouble.

Those guide look interesting as well. are all of them made like the one in the picture. I wonder if just changing out the first guide would help the performance of other rods with regular guides.

great Job
Darrell

 

[Mechanic Bob]

Thank you.
The first guide the stripping guide is the only one that is a double like that. The second guide is a size 8 then all the others are size 6.
Fuji has found that the gradual reduction in guide size was not as good as compared to a sudden reduction and then common small size guides. Energy is consumed by the side to side motion of the line with the slow reduction in guide size.
There are You-Tube videos from MicroWave showing this.
She wanted one of those bright color blanks.

 

[dbeam]

I like bright colors as well.

Thanks for the explanation.

Darrell

 

[ChltBnks]

Nice Job. You will love the microwave guides, especially if using braid. They are very quiet and really cut down on wind knots when using 10# or less braid.

 

[4acres]

Looks nice. Did she also request matching line?
I'm curious how those guides actually perform and if they have to be "matched". Sales kids at discount stores haven't a clue and I've learned to distrust Ebay. Youtube salesvids do a pretty good salesjob, but I want to know how they perform in the "reel" world.

 

[RouseD]

Awesome build Bob.

 

[ChltBnks]

Looks nice. Did she also request matching line?
I'm curious how those guides actually perform and if they have to be "matched". Sales kids at discount stores haven't a clue and I've learned to distrust Ebay. Youtube salesvids do a pretty good salesjob, but I want to know how they perform in the "reel" world.

I have used 20# to 6# braid and was very impressed on all. I tried 12# mono and did not like it at all.

 

[Jay]

My second build has the Microwaves. It is a spinning rod. This rod is 6' 6" and I don't have another rod with that length to compare to. So I hesitate to say whether or not the Microwaves are drastically better than standard guides. The old rod I replaced with it was a 7' ugly stik medium heavy with medium action. I couldn't stand it, it was too floppy for lack of a better word, probably because of the medium action. I don't recall the line and lure weight rating on it. This 6'6" rod is medium power with fast action. The shorter microwave rod casts at least as far as that old 7' rod with the same reel, in a direct comparison. I don't know if it was a microwave effect or if the old rod was not matched to the line/weight I was testing with. But I do like the microwave rod I built! I use it with braid and fluoro leader and so far have not had any line problems. It casts very smoothly.

They do have microwave sets specifically for baitcasters (not the Tidalwave ChltBnks mentions). They might work, I have no idea. But my next build is going to be a crankbait rod I'll never use with leaders and I am going straight up micro guides (not microwave). Anyway, I've attached a photo of my microwave guide, they do look cool!

 

[Mechanic Bob]

Thanks guys. Great topic.
I tested it with 12# mono and it did very well. I can only think it will be even better with the braid.
I picked out the braid to match the rig, but no doubt it was going to be braid. Power pro easy cast. I use that FG knot and it slides through the guides like nothing has been added.
I have another rod, same blank only difference is it is black and that too will have the MicroWave guide set.
P.S. I was wrong on the guide sizing and received a very classy PM. Nothing but class. Thank you!

 

[ChltBnks]

BUSTED... Guess I was to slow for Jay with the delete button. I said Tidalwaves were only for baitcasters which is wrong.

Jay I really like your blue & gold thread! Is that metallic gold? Great colors for that blank.

 

[Jay]

ChltBnks, I was looking for some info off old posts and just saw your question right now. I'm proud of that color combination, lol! Its the Gulfstream Blue (colorfast) from Prowrap and the metallic thread is Copper (also Prowrap), not gold. The copper is really a classy color to have on a rod.

I've been working on three rods simultaneously, one is pure high tech function for me, another is a gift, and the other is a special themed rod I am working on (slowly) with my 10 year old. I'll be posting photos when they all are finally finished!

 

[ChltBnks]

Thanks Jay

Added to my Mudhole wish list for next order of fuji guides.

 

[ice cream man]

"Hey Mechanic Bob, got a fishing rod for my wife........best trade ever. "


Try the veal I'll be here till Thursday.............. ICM

 

[Dennis Running Bear]

Like the finished job, but did you have only a 1 pc. or made it a 2 pc.? The rod I was thinking about is 2 pc. with a expandable butt handle and being 7' to 7'6" with spiral wave guides. Also that color scheme will be Blue & White swirl split seat. I have tried to locate a butt handle like the one from Bass Pro Shop which makes those twist handle for the Butt! Every thing I seen for the rod was from Net craft or that other company, just can't remember the name now! The reason I need a 2 pc. is the truck bed is only 5' long!

 

[Mechanic Bob]

"Hey Mechanic Bob, got a fishing rod for my wife........best trade ever. "


Try the veal I'll be here till Thursday.............. ICM

That's funny and I don't care who you are!

 

[ChltBnks]

http://manley-rods.myshopify.com/