Does It Matter Which Way The Rod Bends?

[Hamuwaja]

Hi Guys,

just wondering if it matters which way your rod bends?

I know i use baitcaster/ overheads, on some rods which are actually for egg beaters.. (or made for spinning etc)

But does it matter more when you go up in size.

say for example, a shimano 15kilo backbone elite - regular non roller guides, and non roller tip. now can this rod be used for both an overhead, and an egg beater? or just an egg beater? or just an overhead?

Any advice, or tips and experience would help alot.

Cheers.

[michaelchen]

From memory, i think this question has been asked and the answer was it doesnt matter which way they bend.

[abecedarian]

An overhead and spin version of the same rod only vary in number, size and spacing of the guides as well as the position of the guides in relation to the backbone of the blank. The blank itself should be the same. If in doubt compare a spin and overhead version of the same rod. The overhead rod will have more guides while having a smaller first (or stripper) guide. The spin version will have less guides, their spacing will be different and the first guide will be significantly larger. Using an overhead reel on a spin rod will more than likely result in the line rubbing against the blank when the rod is loaded up. Using an eggbeater reel on an overhead rod will increase the chance of a loop forming around the first guide.

That doesn't mean you can't use a spin reel on an overhead rod, it's just you might lose some gear because of loops. Overheads on a spin rod you need to check the line wont rub on the blank when it's loaded up.

[Berleyguts]

All blanks have a 'spine' or slight offset (possible negligible) and when building a rod, you would find that spine and align it to suit theset-up. Probably more critical with older glass rods, than graphite/carbon fibre, though. Years ago (maybe 25-30) my Butterworth Superbarra hollow-glass blank had an obvious spine/offset and, as I was going to use a threadline with it, I made sure the spine/offset was aligned so it pointed up, as under load, the rod would bend down, countering it. I have succesfully used overhead reels on it though, with no issues. I still use that same rod today and love it. Guide sizes (particularly the bottom guide) numbers and spacings for overhead vs. threadline should be different though, as abecedarian has said.

Cheers,

Baz

[Hamuwaja]

thanks for the top info guys.

I saw another post, but it was more about how to find the spine as opposed to weather you can use one on the other.

I will do the tests tonight, and see how i fair.

Should they also bend differently when under load? Maybe i can tie on my 5 litre bucket and test an overhead, and a threadline, and see the difference.

would i be right to assume, that the reel that gets more bend is the right one ? or the other way around?

or ?

[Berleyguts]

thanks for the top info guys.

I saw another post, but it was more about how to find the spine as opposed to weather you can use one on the other.

I will do the tests tonight, and see how i fair.

Should they also bend differently when under load? Maybe i can tie on my 5 litre bucket and test an overhead, and a threadline, and see the difference.

would i be right to assume, that the reel that gets more bend is the right one ? or the other way around?

or ?

I don't think you are are going to have too much of an issue with the bend per se ---

The bend would probably be more or less the same but would be affected by the size of the guides, the number of guides, the spacing of the guides and possibly even the amount and gauge of the binding thread used, including whether they are underbound or not.

More important will be whether you have the right guides, number and spacings for the purpose.

A threadline outfit will require a larger first guide, further up the rod (probably almost half way up) to reduce the loops that will be formed by the line coming of the spool on casting. Otherwise you may get tangles and knots further up in the guides.

An overhead reel can have a smaller first guide, closer to the reel as the line comes straight off the spool, not in loops. (There is even a baitcaster rod that feeds the line inside the rod). More guides are needed to spread the line on an overhead outfit so that the line doesn't drop down and touch the rod under pressure, where possible.

Baz

[abecedarian]

thanks for the top info guys.

I saw another post, but it was more about how to find the spine as opposed to weather you can use one on the other.

I will do the tests tonight, and see how i fair.

Should they also bend differently when under load? Maybe i can tie on my 5 litre bucket and test an overhead, and a threadline, and see the difference.

would i be right to assume, that the reel that gets more bend is the right one ? or the other way around?

or ?

Are you just not sure if the rod you have is an overhead rod or spin rod? Or do you know what type of rod it is (say an overhead rod) and want to use it as a spin?? Also what rod are you talking about?

Ideally you should use a spinning reel on a spinning rod, and an overhead reel on an overhead rod. That's what they're designed for. The blanks are the same, it's the size, position and number of guides that is the difference. Also, some overhead rods have the reel seat mounted higher than the spin version too.

If you've got a heavy rod that barely bends than using an overhead reel on a spin rod isn't going to matter too much. If you have a light spin rod that bends heaps with a fish on the using an overhead on that is not a smart idea because you can almost guarantee that the line will be rubbing on the blank. With a light line to begin with the chances of it breaking are quite high.

Long story short, if you're in doubt stick with what the rod was designed to do - ie: a spin reel on a spin rod, and an overhead reel on an overhead rod.

[Hamuwaja]

Are you just not sure if the rod you have is an overhead rod or spin rod? Or do you know what type of rod it is (say an overhead rod) and want to use it as a spin?? Also what rod are you talking about?

Ideally you should use a spinning reel on a spinning rod, and an overhead reel on an overhead rod. That's what they're designed for. The blanks are the same, it's the size, position and number of guides that is the difference. Also, some overhead rods have the reel seat mounted higher than the spin version too.

If you've got a heavy rod that barely bends than using an overhead reel on a spin rod isn't going to matter too much. If you have a light spin rod that bends heaps with a fish on the using an overhead on that is not a smart idea because you can almost guarantee that the line will be rubbing on the blank. With a light line to begin with the chances of it breaking are quite high.

Long story short, if you're in doubt stick with what the rod was designed to do - ie: a spin reel on a spin rod, and an overhead reel on an overhead rod.

Hey mate, mentioned it in the post, but not in the sense, just as an example.. but yeah the road i am more interested in is the -

shimano 15kilo backbone elite - regular non roller guides, and non roller tip. - This is the one i want to use for the threadline reel. (also was told these were good for braid use as opposed to rollers which i was told are not great for braid fishing.. just wasnt able to tell is it was for overhead or threadline.

I have the Shimano 15 kilo backbone elite roller tip - i have a tld 25 on her

24 kilo shimano backbone elite full rollered. - just with another tld 25 on her for now..

I have another tld 25, on a no name roller rod.. so if its for overhead reels, will probably use her on there, and load with braid

anyone know the Shimano backbone range ? and know if the non roller ones, are made for threadlines?

[silver surfer]

all rods have a spine or back bone and are built to suit a spin reel or a overhead reel thats all there is to it !!!

[johnv]

hmmm ive asked this question at a tackle store a while ago, & silver surfer has given the correct answer all rods r built for there purpose..

cheers john