Ned Rig Rod From Scratch

[rps]

Not too long ago I bought a MHX blank from Mudhole, MHX Cast/Spin 6'0" 1pc. 6-12lb. I also acquired a Texalium tube to use for a Tennessee handle. I used 8 Pac Bay Minima guides plus a tiptop and followed the Fuji KR guide spacing suggestions. I paired the rod with a Lews spinning reel.

The balance point is under my forfinger when I hold the rod and 10/4 braid flies out easily. The finished rod is superior for throwing the Ned Rig. The rod would also be perfect for throwing jerk baits for trout and 1/16th to 3/16th ounce jigs for walleye. At about $100 in parts, the rod fishes as if it were twice that price.

You might try this combination.

[kjackson]

Sounds sweet. I keep thinking I'll get back into rod building. Can you post an image of the handle? What did you use for spacers inside the tube?

[5bites]

I'm curious why you chose such a short blank?

[dtrs5kprs]

Must see pics!

On length...There are sort of two camps. I prefer them longer. Just bought two more 7'6" JSJ9000 blanks from Jann's to build more. Ned likes them shorter, as that is the way they fished them back a bit. I tend to make longer casts than he does, but I fish a lot clearer water. When we fish small stained water in the summer I generally leave "big ugly" at home and use a 6'6" stick.

[rps]

I will take pictures tomorrow when I go to the boat. It is not a pretty rod. No special diamond wraps, only enough winding finish epoxy to fix and harden the thread.

I used the traditional masking tape wrapped to the correct inside diameter and then soaked in rod bond (X 4) for bushings. I have never had that method fail and I believe it to be more sensitive than graphite foam bushings.

As for why the short rod - I am a product of the 60's, 70's, and 80's. Short rods feel more natural in my hand and my casts are more accurate. I can throw a standard Ned between 80 and 100 feet on the new rod without power loading and that's enough. My top water rod that I made is only 6' for the same reason. I am not adverse to change when accuracy is not at stake. My crank bait rod and my jig rod are 7'. My home made walleye trolling rods are 7'6".

[dtrs5kprs]

Looking forward to seeing it. I do not wrap any patterns either. Too much work to just add weight. A lot of my builds are just wrapped in plain black, but have lately developed a thing for the deeper blue, green, and brown. Will spend more time getting the grips to look nice than the wraps.

[kjackson]

I used the traditional masking tape wrapped to the correct inside diameter and then soaked in rod bond (X 4) for bushings. I have never had that method fail and I believe it to be more sensitive than graphite foam bushings.

As for why the short rod - I am a product of the 60's, 70's, and 80's. Short rods feel more natural in my hand and my casts are more accurate. I can throw a standard Ned between 80 and 100 feet on the new rod without power loading and that's enough. My top water rod that I made is only 6' for the same reason. I am not adverse to change when accuracy is not at stake. My crank bait rod and my jig rod are 7'. My home made walleye trolling rods are 7'6".

Thanks for the info. As for the length, I am with you there. Today I was playing with a new rod and a Ned Rig in the pond. The rod was a factory 7'1" that did not cast like a shorter one would. The right six-footer will cast as far if not farther than a longer rod if everything is in balance.

[5bites]

I will take pictures tomorrow when I go to the boat. It is not a pretty rod. No special diamond wraps, only enough winding finish epoxy to fix and harden the thread.

I used the traditional masking tape wrapped to the correct inside diameter and then soaked in rod bond (X 4) for bushings. I have never had that method fail and I believe it to be more sensitive than graphite foam bushings.

As for why the short rod - I am a product of the 60's, 70's, and 80's. Short rods feel more natural in my hand and my casts are more accurate. I can throw a standard Ned between 80 and 100 feet on the new rod without power loading and that's enough. My top water rod that I made is only 6' for the same reason. I am not adverse to change when accuracy is not at stake. My crank bait rod and my jig rod are 7'. My home made walleye trolling rods are 7'6".

Thanks for the reply. I personally prefer longer rods but that's me. Not just for casting but taking up line on the hookset. Like you (only opposite)it's just what I'm comfortable with.

I'm with you on simple clean wraps. I admire the craftsmanship in good thread work but I'm big on saving weight. Besides a single wrap of metallic thread looks good enough for me. I look forward to seeing the pics!

This said I'd like to build a 6' spinning rod for pitching finesse worms around docks. I basically turn the rod upside down and point it at the water to initiate the pitch so a long rod just won't work.

[dtrs5kprs]

Thanks for the reply. I personally prefer longer rods but that's me. Not just for casting but taking up line on the hookset. Like you (only opposite)it's just what I'm comfortable with.

I'm with you on simple clean wraps. I admire the craftsmanship in good thread work but I'm big on saving weight. Besides a single wrap of metallic thread looks good enough for me. I look forward to seeing the pics!

This said I'd like to build a 6' spinning rod for pitching finesse worms around docks. I basically turn the rod upside down and point it at the water to initiate the pitch so a long rod just won't work.

Might look at the MHX Shooter blanks. Supposed to be built for that purpose.

[Ham]

Not too long ago I bought a MHX blank from Mudhole, MHX Cast/Spin 6'0" 1pc. 6-12lb. I also acquired a Texalium tube to use for a Tennessee handle. I used 8 Pac Bay Minima guides plus a tiptop and followed the Fuji KR guide spacing suggestions. I paired the rod with a Lews spinning reel.

The balance point is under my forfinger when I hold the rod and 10/4 braid flies out easily. The finished rod is superior for throwing the Ned Rig.

You might try this combination.

Just think how good it would throw with 8 lb Nano.