Another term for the spiral wrap. The term originated on the West Coast when one proponent of the wrap, rod builder Jim Racela, was asked if he was on "acid" when he wrapped his rod in spiral fashion. The name stuck.
Where most of the initial flex in a rod blank takes place. Fast Action rods will flex mostly in the upper 1/3rd of their length. Moderate Action rods in the upper 1/2 of their length. Slow Action rods flex along their entire length. *See also "Progressive Action."
Stout medium action rods designed for use with Back Bouncing rigs consisting of a heavy sinker which holds a swimming plug near the bottom. Rigs are lowered to the bottom, not cast. Back Bouncing rods can be used for other types of fishing as well.
Generally refers to a rod blank that has been culled by the manufacturer and not offered as a first quality product due to a cosmetic flaw. Sometimes offered for sale, but rarely comes with any sort of warranty.
Tungsten Carbide. One of the earliest materials to be used for making non-grooving line guide rings. Still popular with wire line fishermen and some surf fishermen.
Part of the "New Guide Concept System." The guide located at that point along the blank where a line drawn from the reel spool centerline will intersect the rod blank.
A type of sealer/filler normally used on regular nylon thread to keep the thread from turning translucent when the final wrap finish is applied. Types include nitrocellulose lacquer (clear), acrylic (white), and urethane/acrylic (cloudy).
A complete system for taking relative measurements of the action and intrinsic power of rods and blanks. Also can be used to correctly match the correct casting lure or fly line weight to any rod.
Common and traditional method for sizing spinning rod guides. Each guide is slight smaller than the previous one. Together they frame a cone shaped area extending from the outer edges of the reel spool to a single point at the tip of the rod.
A method of overlaying/wrapping threads to form decorative butt wraps on fishing rods. Generally based on threads crossing each other in such a way as to form an "X" at each intersection.
Any system which, when set in motion, creates a force which inhibits that same motion, is said to exhibit damping. Damping forces are usually created by friction, either aerodynamic (external) or material (internal). *(Most true damping with regard to fishing rods is caused by air friction. Some internal material friction does exist, however.) Although most often incorrectly used within the confines of rod building, the term is generally used and understood to describe how long a rod takes to return to straight or stop, after being cast or flexed, i.e "This rod damps quickly."
A type of decorative thread wrap where threads are wrapped to each side of the pattern in order to form boxes or widen the basic "X" shape. Viewed from any corner (and depending upon the elongation of the pattern), they appear diamond shaped.
Specialty rod with very light tip used for fishing a plastic worm or lure above the sinker. The light tip allows minute movements to be imparted to the lure. Generally these are light power rods.
Type of 'Rod Dryer' where large round flats are used to hold a number of rods on the circumference and the entire assembly turns around a center shaft. Resembles a drum mounted and turning on a center axis.
The international standard for measuring hardness of rubber, plastic and other non-metallic materials. Often used to define the hardness of fishing rod grip materials. Also, the instrument for taking these measurements is referred to as a Durometer.
Ethylene Vinyle Acetate synthetic foam material. Available in various grades and hardnesses, the more firm variety makes an excellent and lightweight rod grip material. Not as resilient as Hypalon, but considerably lighter in weight.
Heat released from a chemical reaction. The opposite of "Endothermic Heat." Normally rod builders exerience this heat when mixing two-part adhesives and finishes. The reaction of the parts creates and releases heat.
Special chair mounted to a boat¹s deck and used to allow an angler to fight a fish from a sitting down position. In use, the rod is placed into a gimbal nock on the chair, which then becomes an aid to the angler against large and powerful fish.
Term popularized by tournament bass fishermen for a stout rod used for accurately "flipping" a lure or bait into close quarters. Usually long (7' or more) and often telescoping to allow fitting into short rod boxes on bass boats.
Used for a variety of species. Available in both very fast, light tipped models, as well as more moderate action models, these rods are usually quite long (12' to 14') and used for fishing with a variety of float styles. Originated in the U.K. for "Coarse Fishing."
Name associated with a particular type of line guide which is fashioned from a single piece of wire. It is wound into a circle or coil, with the ends of the wire serving as guide feet on either side of the circle.
A butt cap with cross slotting on the end. These slots locate into a pin used in a gimbal nock, which may be located in a fighting chair or fighting harness. Prevents the rod from turning or twisting during a fight or while trolling a bait or lure.
Usually made from plastic or nylon and used to line reel seat hoods of steel or aluminum. Prevents marring of the reel foot and provides an elastic cushioning effect.
Used to finish off the forward edge of a rod foregrip. Similar to a cap with a hole bored in the end for the rod blank to pass through. Mostly of a decorative nature.
Stout butted yet very light tipped rods designed for use with swimming/diving plugs which are fished while stationairy or drifting. The river or stream current causes the plug to dive and hold near the river bottom. The angler watches the action of the plug by the movement of the light rod tip and the heavy butt section usually sets the hook on the fish. May be used for many other fishing applications as well.
Trademarked name for a Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene synthetic rubber product. While it is used in a variety of industrial applications, it has long been used with good results in the form of rod grips. Somewhat heavy, but extremely resistant to sunlight, solvents and detergents.
Rods made for use with live bait. Generally, such rods have extremely soft and flexible tips, allowing the fish to take the bait without pulling the bait off the hook. These light tips also allow the angler to detect movement of the bait or subtle strikes from fish. Butt sections can range from light to heavy, depending on the application, but the tips are usually always fairly soft.
Tapered steel shaft. Used as the core around which a composite pattern or flag is wrapped during the process of making a rod blank. It is removed after the blank has been heated and cured.
Or with regard to the fibers used to make fishing rods, "Modulus of Elasticity," refers to the relationship between stress and strain. In more simple terms relative to rod building, it usually defines the stiffness to weight ratio of the fibers used to construct the rod blank. Generally speaking, the higher the modulus of the fiber used to make the blank, the lighter the resulting blank can be for any given stiffness.
An opaque nylon thread which does not require color preserver in order to keep it from turning translucent when a wrapping finish is applied. Somewhat dull and lacking sparkle in contrast to regular nylon wrapping thread, however.
A term coined by the Fuji Kogyo Company for a particular system of guide sizing and placement. Normally it employs smaller and lighter guides, and employs them in greater numbers than other guide systems.
Soft, light and usually long (9' to 12') rod designed to be used with very light line. The rod's softness prevents even large fish from being able to break light lines. Deemed as "unsporting" by some, as the time taken to land larger fish can be lengthy and extremely tiring to the fish.
Form of spiral wrap which keeps the line between the reel and the first underside guide on a relatively straight path. Developed by rod builder Ralph O'Quinn.
Rod used for casting shrimp under a "popping cork." Generally these rods have fast, light tips to prevent tearing the bait off the hook during the cast. Can be used for many other types of fishing as well.
Generally used to describe the working time of an epoxy adhesive or wrapping finish. NOT the time taken for cure, but the time period where the adhesive or finish remains workable or easy to apply.
The act of accidentally overwrapping thread onto itself instead of neatly wrapping each thread to the side of the last revolution during guide wrapping.
Term used to describe a rod blank that continues to bend farther back towards the butt end as load upon it is increased. As the load is increased, the blank responds by shifting the load onto the larger, more powerful area towards the middle and rear of the blank.
Trademarked name for a type of rod developed by rod builder Rich Forhan. Normally utilizes either all or a combination of; specific style of spiral wrap, a split rear grip/handle and no foregrip.
Usually comprised of a "Drying Motor" and some type of enclosure or box, to turn, heat and isolate a fishing from airborne dust during the finish curing phase.
Guide frame fitted with revolving sleeves or rollers for line travel rather than a standard ring. Minimizes or eliminates line wear/friction. Normally found on larger saltwater rods.
Used in the rod blank manufacturing process. Composed of two large surfaces or platens above and below and moving in opposite directions. Automates the process of rolling the flag or pattern around the mandrel.
Lightweight cloth, mat or fiber added to rod blanks to locate structural fibers and resin in a prepeg. Can also be used to contribute to hoop strength.
Generally refers to a rod blank that has been culled by the manufacturer due to a cosmetic or structural flaw. Sometimes offered for sale but almost never includes any sort of warranty. Whereas a "Blem" is usually confined to cosmetic flaws, "Seconds" may involve structural problems.
Additional short wrap, either separate or integral, on the back side of any single footed guide. Helps secure the guide during heavy loads or long term use.
Rod butt made of aluminum or nylon and used on place of a rear cork or foam type grip. The hard, slick surface permits the easy removal of a rod from a rod holder even if the rod is under pressure from a fish.
Generally any two-part epoxy that provides more than just a few minutes of working or pot life. Depending on the brand and type, pot life may be 15 minutes to several hours.
Name for the type rods commonly used on the river Spey going back some 150 years. Today Spey Rods are generally regarded as any of the longer (11' to 15') two-handed fly rod types that allow long casts without the necessity of making a back cast.
A type of ferrule comprised of a plug or internal sleeve joined internally and permanently to one rod section and fitting inside another section by means of a friction fit.
Or "Effective Spine" is an effect created by several manufacturing anomalies. The result is that the rod blank will favor bending along a particular axis when load is applied.
A method for taking the line to the bottom of the rod on conventional casting type rods. Results in a rod which will not twist under load and is inherently stable.
Generally used to describe shorter, high-leverage type trolling and boat rods. Shorter length allows them to be used by an angler in a ³stand up² position rather than in a fighting chair.
Guide style where guide legs and feet are fastened/wound to the side of the rod blank rather than on top. Said to prevent guide twisting under heady pressure.
Term used to describe the point at which a thread wrap finish is no longer tacky to the touch. The point at which foreign objects or dust making incidental contact will not adhere.
The line guide which fits on or over the tip end of the rod. Usually constructed along the lines of a tube supporting a ring, which can be slid over the end of the rod blank.
Term normally used to describe those guides on a "Spiral Wrap" which take the line from the top of the rod to the bottom of the rod. Located inbetween the 0 and 180 degree axis guides.
Rod butt made of aluminum or nylon and used on place of a rear cork or foam type grip. The hard, slick surface permits the easy removal of a rod from a rod holder even if the rod is under pressure from a fish.
Short piece of aluminum or nylon tubing or sleeve that is fitted between the reel seat and foregrip on heavy duty offshore and boat type rods. Provides a place for the forward clamp on larger reels to mount.
A layer of wrapping thread made before the guide is wound on. The guide sits on top of and is wound over this layer of thread. Normally serves only cosmetic purposes, but on larger and heavier rods may provide a non-slip base for the guide. When guides are poorly prepared and contain sharp undersides or burrs, it may provide some measure of protection for the rod blank.
The term "uni-butt" is a trademark of Aftco. It has come to be used somewhat generically to describe any aluminum butt section with integral reel seat for use on heavy duty saltwater rods. Normally, it can be detached from the rod by means of a threaded ferrule just forward of the reel seat area.
Somewhat generic term now used for a wheel made of compacted fibers similar in nature to "ScotchBrite" material. Used in a drill or grinder. Depending upon the grade involved, it is normally used for removing burrs or paint
A decorative thread wrap employing the technique of wrapping either over or under threads running lengthwise along a rod blank to form a pattern, item or design.
