Changing the power of a rod

carolina-rig-01 · 07-20-10, 03:52 AM

I have noticed a lot of post on here lately where guys are wanting to buy a new rod to cover a certain technique, while staying on a budget. Nothing wrong with that at all. But here is a tip I read in the last issue of Bassmaster that allows you to increase the power of a rod with nothing more than strips of duct tape. I thought that although this isn't a fancy or eye appealing, it could still save someone some money by allowing a rod to cover a wider range of techniques.

The only material you need is strips of duct tape that measure 2" x 1/4". You can make a medium power rod a medium heavy rod by wrapping strips of the duct tape between guides number 3,4,5,and 6 (the guide on the tip of the rod is 0).

The article says that this is how rod companies tinker with the power of prototype rods while they are designing them.

bassboogieman · 07-20-10, 05:55 AM

I don't like wasting time changing lures - adding or removing strips of duct tape? It may work but I don't find that practical at all for a day of fishing, I'd just fish with the "underpowered" rod, rather that play with the duct tape. Many rods are available that are NOT that expensive - and I'm sure no one is going to add duct tape to one that is. Someone came up with an idea, but not all ideas are good ones and that one in my opinion is marginal at best. So now we have 1000 and ONE uses for duct tape.

Jrob78 · 07-20-10, 01:11 PM

I can see where this would be useful if you found yourself wanting to fish a certain technique and didn't have a heavy enough rod.

The 3, 4, 5 and 6th guides are generally where the rod is going to flex on a fast action rod. The tape would stiffen that section of the rod some and the energy would transfer further down the butt of the rod where it is more stiff.

I don't think I would personally permanently duct tape a rod but I can see where it might save you in a pinch.

carolina-rig-01 · 07-20-10, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassboogieman

I don't like wasting time changing lures - adding or removing strips of duct tape? It may work but I don't find that practical at all for a day of fishing, I'd just fish with the "underpowered" rod, rather that play with the duct tape. Many rods are available that are NOT that expensive - and I'm sure no one is going to add duct tape to one that is. Someone came up with an idea, but not all ideas are good ones and that one in my opinion is marginal at best. So now we have 1000 and ONE uses for duct tape.

Oh ok, never mind then forget I said anything. My bad.

WaffleJaw · 07-20-10, 01:30 PM

Kory I read the same article...I didnt buy into it.
Then saw it was discussed on rodbuilder:

http://rodbuilding.org/read.php?2,33...263#msg-337263

Bassboss · 07-20-10, 02:13 PM

Hmm.. very interesting, if I ever need a heavier rod, I'll do it!

bassboogieman · 07-20-10, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Oh ok, never mind then forget I said anything. My bad.

Hey, don't be offended because I didn't agree with the suggestion. I said it would not be something I (and probably a few others) would consider doing, that certainly does not mean someone else may utilize your suggestion. Opinions vary, obviously mine does about this particular suggestion. I still find it unbelievalbe that someone would actually do that in a fishing situation, but if it works for someone - good for them.

BigBassin144 · 07-20-10, 02:39 PM

Interesting concept, although one I personally wouldn't employ.

It seems like it would be a good idea for someone on a tight budget with lower end rods. However, I wouldn't want duct tape residue on any of my rods, even if they were cheaper.

BB

nofearengineer · 07-20-10, 02:58 PM

HAHA....don't sweat it, Kory. People roll their eyes at me on a daily basis, with my crazy ideas.

Man, I do have to admit, I never considered duct tape for that application. Boy, it seems like it would a PITA to remove.

BigBassin144 · 07-20-10, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nofearengineer

HAHA....don't sweat it, Kory. People roll their eyes at me on a daily basis, with my crazy ideas.

Man, I do have to admit, I never considered duct tape for that application. Boy, it seems like it would a PITA to remove.

Got any spare Legend Extremes we could try it out on?

BB

Jrob78 · 07-20-10, 03:26 PM

Denatured alcohol will take the tape residue off without harming the finish.

Bryce....

.....

nofearengineer · 07-20-10, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrob78

Denatured alcohol will take the tape residue off without harming the finish.

Bryce....

.....

Did you find that out when trying to remove residue from someone's wrists?

Jrob78 · 07-20-10, 03:30 PM

Someone's mouth actually.

carolina-rig-01 · 07-20-10, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassboogieman

Hey, don't be offended because I didn't agree with the suggestion. I said it would not be something I (and probably a few others) would consider doing, that certainly does not mean someone else may utilize your suggestion. Opinions vary, obviously mine does about this particular suggestion. I still find it unbelievalbe that someone would actually do that in a fishing situation, but if it works for someone - good for them.

I am not offended at all, it takes more than that to get under my skin. I just thought that it was something that some of the members on here might want to try as a way to save a little money, or maybe it could help them get a better idea of what power of rod they want for a technique before spending the money. I have never used this method at all and I don't see me ever having a need to do so, but that doesn't mean that it won't help some other guys on here. Actually I just thought of a situation where I might use this trick. Coming up pretty soon I will be designing a ling of jig rods for ThunderStruck Jigs and this might come in handy when trying to get the perfect power and action for these rods.

WTL · 07-20-10, 05:22 PM

IMO, its just much better to buy at least 1 of every type of rod in existence.

geezer1 · 07-20-10, 05:30 PM

c-rig-01...I saw that article in BMaster as well & thought it was very interesting. I can see it's usefulness to someone on a tight budget as well as establishing the best action for a specific lure, presentation, etc. Glad you brought this up, it's sure to help someone here.

bassthumb32 · 07-20-10, 05:37 PM

great come back wtl lol. i agree that would def solve the problem

carolina-rig-01 · 07-20-10, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WTL

IMO, its just much better to buy at least 1 of every type of rod in existence.

That still won't help. Let's say that you get on a real good pattern and want 3 or 4 of the same bait tied on different rods. Better buy 3 or 4 of every rod in existence.

BigBassin144 · 07-20-10, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carolina-rig-01

That still won't help. Let's say that you get on a real good pattern and want 3 or 4 of the same bait tied on different rods. Better buy 3 or 4 of every rod in existence.

That still won't do. Due to breaking or losing at least one overboard, you need to buy 5 of each.

BB

XIntel007 · 07-20-10, 07:15 PM

If duct tape can fix an IPhone 4, it can do anything.

nofearengineer · 07-20-10, 08:41 PM

I think someone should duct tape my mouse and debit card to the ceiling, so I can't buy any more rods of differing powers.

07-20-10, 03:52 AM	#1
carolina-rig-01 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Webb City, MO Posts: 6,387	Changing the power of a rod I have noticed a lot of post on here lately where guys are wanting to buy a new rod to cover a certain technique, while staying on a budget. Nothing wrong with that at all. But here is a tip I read in the last issue of Bassmaster that allows you to increase the power of a rod with nothing more than strips of duct tape. I thought that although this isn't a fancy or eye appealing, it could still save someone some money by allowing a rod to cover a wider range of techniques. The only material you need is strips of duct tape that measure 2" x 1/4". You can make a medium power rod a medium heavy rod by wrapping strips of the duct tape between guides number 3,4,5,and 6 (the guide on the tip of the rod is 0). The article says that this is how rod companies tinker with the power of prototype rods while they are designing them. __________________ You only live once. But if you do it right, once is enough.

07-20-10, 01:11 PM	#3
Jrob78 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 4,671	I can see where this would be useful if you found yourself wanting to fish a certain technique and didn't have a heavy enough rod. The 3, 4, 5 and 6th guides are generally where the rod is going to flex on a fast action rod. The tape would stiffen that section of the rod some and the energy would transfer further down the butt of the rod where it is more stiff. I don't think I would personally permanently duct tape a rod but I can see where it might save you in a pinch. Last edited by Jrob78; 07-20-10 at 01:25 PM.

07-20-10, 01:30 PM	#5
WaffleJaw BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dallas,TX (DFW) Posts: 2,212	Kory I read the same article...I didnt buy into it. Then saw it was discussed on rodbuilder: http://rodbuilding.org/read.php?2,33...263#msg-337263 __________________ [nelsoncustomrods.com]

07-20-10, 02:13 PM	#6
Bassboss BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Shawano, WI Posts: 7,761	Hmm.. very interesting, if I ever need a heavier rod, I'll do it! __________________ If you can't fix it with heavy squats or fish oil, you're probably going to die.

07-20-10, 02:39 PM	#8
BigBassin144 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 9,463	Interesting concept, although one I personally wouldn't employ. It seems like it would be a good idea for someone on a tight budget with lower end rods. However, I wouldn't want duct tape residue on any of my rods, even if they were cheaper. BB __________________ As of June 14, 2014 the members of the BF.com forum have moved to basschat.yuku.com!

07-20-10, 05:55 AM	#2
bassboogieman BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Parkesburg, Pa. Posts: 3,762	I don't like wasting time changing lures - adding or removing strips of duct tape? It may work but I don't find that practical at all for a day of fishing, I'd just fish with the "underpowered" rod, rather that play with the duct tape. Many rods are available that are NOT that expensive - and I'm sure no one is going to add duct tape to one that is. Someone came up with an idea, but not all ideas are good ones and that one in my opinion is marginal at best. So now we have 1000 and ONE uses for duct tape.

07-20-10, 02:58 PM	#9
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	HAHA....don't sweat it, Kory. People roll their eyes at me on a daily basis, with my crazy ideas. Man, I do have to admit, I never considered duct tape for that application. Boy, it seems like it would a PITA to remove. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

07-20-10, 03:26 PM	#11
Jrob78 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 4,671	Denatured alcohol will take the tape residue off without harming the finish. Bryce.........

07-20-10, 03:30 PM	#13
Jrob78 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 4,671	Someone's mouth actually.

07-20-10, 05:22 PM	#15
WTL BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,466	IMO, its just much better to buy at least 1 of every type of rod in existence.

07-20-10, 05:30 PM	#16
geezer1 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Lakehills, Tx Posts: 185	c-rig-01...I saw that article in BMaster as well & thought it was very interesting. I can see it's usefulness to someone on a tight budget as well as establishing the best action for a specific lure, presentation, etc. Glad you brought this up, it's sure to help someone here.

07-20-10, 05:37 PM	#17
bassthumb32 BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Fort Loudon, PA Posts: 682	great come back wtl lol. i agree that would def solve the problem __________________ MY LIFETIME GOAL IS TO KEEP AT LEAST A SMALL CASE OF BASSTHUMB FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.

07-20-10, 07:15 PM	#20
XIntel007 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Woodbridge, VA Posts: 102	If duct tape can fix an IPhone 4, it can do anything.

07-20-10, 08:41 PM	#21
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	I think someone should duct tape my mouse and debit card to the ceiling, so I can't buy any more rods of differing powers. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

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