spiral wrapping

[erienightrider]

what does it do actually sorry i've never actually seen this

[thedude]

on a casting rod it effectively moves the line to the bottom of the rod. There are a few different methods to do this but most involve using the 1st 2-4 guides to roll around the blank until they are all on the bottom.

a few benefits -
- solves line scrub when using smaller running guides.
- eliminates twisting/torque when fighting fish

most will also say that it lest you use more smaller guides which saves on weight and cost - however that really goes back to line scrub because that is the really the only issues with using all smaller guides on a conventional wrap.

that said - there really are no disadvantages to it - i build about 90% of my personal baitcasting rods as spiral - with the exception of top-water rods. The biggest hurdle for most to overcome is their perceptions of how it will work based purely on how it looks.

here's a simple spiral using full sized alconites (8df, 7df, 7sf, 6sf runners)

[cidgrad]

You're going to hear a lot of opinions.

In contrast to JK - I'll say I don't spiral very often at all.

Basically IMO spiral doesn't give the straightest line path and bass fishing is not straight up and down (like saltwater fish fighting). You're pulling to the side, etc...

Example -if you are running a crankbait tip down with top of rod towards the lure - you bring the torque you tried to eliminate back into play because the guides are pointing away.

So I see it both ways, fished both ways, and I prefer guides on top - including micros.

[Bassn81]

Hehehe....I love having this conversation with Alex....we agree to disagree.

I would totally agree with him that the spiral does nothing for you while working a bait...especially tip down presentations. BUT, while you are working a lure you typically are not experiencing the sort of torque that causes the rod to turn in your hand (exception would be running DD22's and the like). In my opinion the spiral comes into play when fighting fish. Although you still might have to make side to side and up/down moves with a rod to keep a fish from jumping they can be easier to handle next to the boat...since the rod doesnt twist while your fighting the fish you really just have to steer and reel....and yes...I fish for smallies..so I know something about acrobatic fish

I would say the one technique that really shines with spiral wrapped rods are flipping and punching. Since you are essentially setting the hook and bringing the fish to the boat as fast as possible its nice to have no torque....really makes your rod/reel a great winch.

Now, there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with either method...you just have to try them and see if you like it......the benefits of a spiral are definately not as amplified with bass as they are on larger species....but I still like to do it...especially since it has no adverse effects.

[thedude]

don't disagree with anything already stated! main reasons i like it so much is that 90% of my fishing is done with 3 baits: jig, texas rig or crank-bait.

jig/t-rig is a "tip up" presentation - from personal use and comparison only - i feel i get greater feel of the bait with the line hanging down onto the guides. only conjecture on my behalf - but after switching i at least feel like i'm noticing more bites on slack lines.

cranks - i fish a crank tip down, but i also fish either with the rod pointed at the bait (ripping weeds ) or with the rod down and reel angled away from the line path so that the line path is coming in from the bottom anyway.

that said - i've used the spiral with spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, topwaters etc - and really the only time i've thought i'd be better off with one or the other is using a conventional wrap for walk-the-dog baits. Other than that - i don't see a difference - and either wrap works equally well (at least in my humble opinion).

[erienightrider]

thanks for all the info guys ....don't think i can handle how it looks tho it just throws me off so badly

[Munkin]

It is what all the cool kids are doing and you want to fit in don't you!

Allen

[thedude]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Munkin &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It is what all the cool kids are doing and you want to fit in don't you!

Allen</TD></TR></TABLE>

we finally got to the bottom of it...

[erienightrider]

[Munkin]

I understand the physics of it but how much torque does a 3lb bass make on a rod? If we were marlin fishing I would understand but I doubt the bass 99% of us are catching we would see any benefits of the torque theory.

Allen

[Bassn81]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Munkin &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I understand the physics of it but how much torque does a 3lb bass make on a rod? If we were marlin fishing I would understand but I doubt the bass 99% of us are catching we would see any benefits of the torque theory.

Allen</TD></TR></TABLE>

Enough to flip a rod upside down in a traditional setup. Like I said above, it's not a huge difference at all. But neither are any of the other small things we do on our customs.....split sea, split grips, micro's, less thread, etc. etc. Each of these things individually does not add up to a HUGE difference over a well build rod in a more traditional fashion...but add them all up and it pays dividends. If you havent built or fished a spiral it's worth trying before you write it off. Its greas for some bass techniques...doesnt make as much of a difference for others....just another tool in the toolbox.

[Ron S]

I have built many conventional rods and have loved everyone of them. For year I have been thinking about building a spiral wraped rod but just could not do it for some reason. So I made myself give it a try. I ordered up an MHX844 some micros and even then I almost changed my mind and wraped it conventionally. I stuck to my desire to give a spiral a try and built a rod. My first fish on the new spiral was an 8 lb 3 oz hog and the rod worked fantastically. I see no reason not to use a spiral wrap. I do believe the benefits far out way the negativity of the looks. As a matter of fact it is growing on me and if nothing else it is a conversation starter.