XRA 1205 w/low rider guides

[Saltheart]

I didn't see johns question as I was typing above.

I doubt it would make any difference to you at all. If you have a short rod , like 9 feet (short for a concept application) the low rider concept layout will most likely screw things up. If you have a rod maybe 11 feet , you can do the LR concept layout well but can you really power cast the eel that way without loosing it. Even if you can get power into it without a cast off , you might get 5 yards extra.

Now if you were casting metal at fish 150 yards out and just 6 more yards might get you there , then maybe a concept layout would help you. How many times that you fish do you need to cast 150 yards other than the canal. And in the very low percentages of times you need that distance , how often would 6 more yards make a difference. The conditional probabilities of it being any use to you eeling are probably in the range of 2 %.

At the canal where you may want the max distance , the leader knot issue represents a problem for application of the low rider concept.

Low riders are for places like England and maybe Japan where they use 13 foot rods and must get way out all the time to be in the game at all. When stripers are normally at your feet , why deal with the negative sides of applying the Low Rider Concept. If you need more distance for eeling , get a longer rod. Assuming you can handle the added length , you will get a bigger improvement by going longer than by going Low Rider

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by Saltheart

I doubt it would make any difference to you at all...

Figured as much but I had to ask anyway.

[Stroth]

Saltheart's points are right on.

I came back to write about the key rod length being 11 feet. Rods under 11 feet I do not really see how you could get them to work, that stripper guide is going to cause some issues.

Here's how I built the 1209:

SVSG
25, 20, 16, 12, 12, 12,

I think the 25 is 36 or so inches from the face of the reel. I find it lighter, easier to cast, & and I do feel there is added distance. I would not hesitate to throw 8 with it.

I do not use a shock leader, just a long leader made from 50 or 50 # mono or fluro. 30 inches or so long swivel, to breakaway...

This setup has worked well for me.

[numbskull]

Just a point of information, the low rider guide layout and the "new concept" layout are two different things.

The new concept system typically uses 3 standard guides (or the more streamlined BMNAG guides) to bring the line down to a choke point well short of the tip and then carry the line in a straight line through small guides to the tip. Its primary advantage is to reduce tip weight and make the rod more responsive. Supposedly it also reduces guide loops and maybe improves distance a little....but that's debatable. There is a set formula/method to follow and that method determines the guide height and placement needed. Anyone building a rod would do well to look into it and try a few test casts (you can use some of the same guides as you would use with the old cone of flight system....only you'll need a few extra 10's).

The low rider set up uses small guides (a 20mm is the largest LC guide) set to a different formula (and way out the rod) to quickly reduce line loops and channel them to the tip. For really fast line velocities with light braid (think carp fishing) this apparently has some major advantages. 40lb power pro is not "light braid" and ch#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&g an eel or pencil popper on a Lami is not generating "really fast line velocities" for most of us. Also sounds like it is fussy enough that it often ends up reel and line specific. The fuji site does show a method to use lowriders as the first three guides in a " semi-kinda new concept layout" on shorter rods, but again that is probably meant for small reels and light braid.

Of course, after learning all this crap and building a state of the art spinning rod.....it still feels twice as heavy as a conventional outfit of equivalent power (though I admit I can outcast my conventional with it).

[Back Beach]

Keep with a traditional layout or new guide concept layout on the 1205 blank. Same goes for any other 10' or less blank for that matter.
If you need to get out further, buy a wetsuit or a boat.

Over and out