Custom Crappie Rod Start to Finish

[crappie wrangler]

Thanks Redge.

[crappie wrangler]

[crappie wrangler]

[wicklundrh]

A lot of times people look at a rod and see the work of art but don't realize that it is functional. I cannot tell you how many times my trim bands above my decals are strategically placed a specific distance away from the front of the foregrip to provide the exact length requirement of a species. I've done a few walleye rods with one at exactly 15 inches as well as some stream trout rods at 8 or 10 inches. If someone didn't tell you, you would never know! I love the 1 inch idea. I always thought of building a thread wrapped ruler on a rod but errored on the side of, "I don't want to spend that much time without an electric wrapper"!

[crappie wrangler]

It is the accomplished rod builder that makes their decorative wrap both attractive and functional. . The Renzitti Rod Wraper definitely make it easier and I also started with a home made rod wrapper and used a closed book to keep tension on my thread. These days I have 2 well worn power rod wrappers. My first one was a PAC Bay which I still use to turn the rods while drying epoxy and the Renzitti I use to wrap with.

I demonstrated today why some one spends the money for a custom rod. They give an obvious advantage.

[crappie wrangler]

I have not worked on the Lone Stranger's rod in several days because I have been wasting time fishing. I got up at 5:00 am today so I would have a little time to make a few passes with the thread. I can't get my iphone to transfer pics to my computer these days so I will have to post pics from the phone which will have the pics oriented improperly.

[crappie wrangler]

I don't know why it works sometimes and not others but I finely got the pics in the computer.

This is how I start my return pass with the thread after having reached either end. If others do it better I intend no disparagement on their work this is just how I do it.



The first couple of passes I put a band of masking tape on the rod to hold the thread. After that I use the tape as kind of a bushing and go pass it and make 1 revolution on the rod with the thread and then start back. When it looks like the thread might begin to slip on my tape I put a couple more bands of tape on the rod and continue with the same pattern.

[crappie wrangler]

I usually make a pass or two with the tread and the thread will be just a little off on the pattern I am looking to achieve.






Then I ill use two burnishing tools and straighten my pattern.

[crappie wrangler]

I like a nice tight diamond so after straightening I wind up with this.

[crappie wrangler]