Improving the looks of your fishing pole is actually easy as there are various ways on how to wrap a fishing pole. Generally, the purpose of wrapping your rod is to enhance its appearance and design, to get the attention of potential buyers or to have some addition to your personal collection. Below are some thread wrapping recommendations that will boost the construction of the thread wraps.
Different Methods on How to Wrap a Fishing Pole Guide
Basically, the way on how to wrap a fishing pole entails the wrapping through a single foot guide and a double foot guide. It is actually not that hard to wrap a double foot guide compared to wrapping a single foot. All it needs is twice the amount of thread wraps.
Wrapping a single foot generally means that you could also tackle a double foot easily as well. Besides, by just simply flipping the rod right after wrapping the first foot will lead to tackling the second foot in the same direction.
But, you still need to put some creativity here. It doesn’t actually mean that if a double foot involves a very basic and easy way on how to wrap a fishing pole, you don’t need to make the wrapping into a new direction.
Method # 1: Putting trim bands
Actually, one basic way on how to wrap a fishing pole through the double foot guide is the use of a trim band. The trim bands can be easily incorporated into your guide with any type of thread. However, threads with contrasting colors or lustrous metallic type are the most common choices.
Moreover, the trim bands are an artistic way to put some flash on any fishing pole. You can actually opt to place this décor on the tip of the guide wraps or put it around the grips. Another good idea of putting the trim bands is to make it as a mark of measurement within the blank spaces. Additionally, you could also consider mixing and matching various color combinations of the trim bands to achieve the best look on your rod.
Method # 2: Do the underwraps
Basically, underwraps are another popular way on how to wrap a fishing pole through the double foot guide wraps. However, compared to trim bands, the underwraps do not only enhance the appearance or design of the fishing pole. In most cases, the thread within the underwraps gives a layer among the foot guide and the rod blank. This generally helps in protecting the flexing rod blanks from the foot guide.
Moreover, the concept of the underwrap is far more essential for fishing pole used in heavier saltwater. Generally, those fishing poles have bigger guides. You can actually begin the guide wrap as soon as the end of the underwrap in order to make a continuous trim band at the tip most of the wrap.
Adding underwraps before the guide wraps:
Using the underwrap, you can basically upgrade the looks of the wraps.
- Initially, plan on the amount of the underwrap that you want to display.
- Mark it within the blank rod using a marker.
- Eventually, start wrapping the thread around the blank provided that the guide is in its position.
- Moreover, remove the marks as you go along the process.
- Generally, incorporate some finishing layer within the underwrap.
- Allow it to cure before you add the guide wrap.
Method # 3: The thread inlays
Similar with the trim bands, you can also give subtleness but with some sharp elements on the fishing pole wrap guide through the thread inlays. Actually, the purpose of the thread inlay is to add an accent thread to the actual guide wrap. This is for the creation of some eye-catching designs. Moreover, this method also offers a more professional design to the guide wraps which is usually pleasing to the eyes of others.
Method # 4: The overwraps
Generally, twists and metallic threads are mainly used for purely decorative purposes. This is to further enhance the look of the fishing pole. Moreover, the overwraps are easy to do like the guide wraps. However, similar to the underwraps, others usually prefer to add coatings to the guide wrap using epoxy finish prior to the overwrap.
Doing the above will maintain the separation of the two thread wraps instead of pressing the overwrap thread within the guide wrap. Additionally, the overwrap is a good way of boosting the thread wraps in a simple and effective way. It also allows you to utilize more stylish threads over the guide wraps.
Method # 5: Custom Thread Combinations
Basically, the restriction on how to wrap a fishing pole thread wraps is your imagination. Customizing the guide wraps generally has endless ways in doing it. Moreover, adding more than a single thread method is one amazing way on how to wrap a fishing pole. Aside from that, customization of the thread combination creates every element of the method on how to wrap a fishing pole stand out from the rest and appears really awesome.
Thread Tips and Tricks on How to Wrap a Fishing Pole
It is not actually surprising that the various methods on how to wrap a fishing pole take some time to make it perfect. However, even if there are some twists and turns in wrapping the guides within the fishing pole, there are also some helpful tips that essentially improve your strategy as well as the result of the thread wraps.
Below are some tips and tricks on how to wrap a fishing pole in a smarter way as you also prevent the hard method of wrapping the guides.
1. Make use of the appropriate thread tension
Basically, when we speak of tension, it actually pertains to one good thing within the guide wraps. However, the correct usage dictates it. Aside from that, wrapping the thread over the rod blank and foot guide, giving the appropriate level of tension may lead to the following:
- The thread will secure the guide within the rod blank
This is actually important within the first number of turns especially during the movement of the thread which starts from the blank towards the foot guide. Within this scenario, having a too light tension will basically lead the guide to slide out of its position. Meanwhile, if there is too tight tension, the guides may get out under the wrap or may generally damage the thread.
- Getting the right amount of tension
In case all of the guides are already wrapped, it lets you go back and do some adjustments on how to wrap a fishing pole. This will generally guarantee that the guides are aligned perfectly within the blank. Basically, having the appropriate thread tension will let you work on within the guides on the fishing pole without going back on the thread wrap.
2. Burn the thread nubs and frays
There may actually be times that the threads do not behave the way they should even if you already exert your best efforts. Generally, this issue usually happens once the way on how to wrap a fishing pole is finished. At some time, you may observe thread nubs or tiny frays heading up from the cured epoxy.
Those nubs and frays are basically frustrating, but there is a trick that may help in removing those blemishes producing a cleaner guide wraps output. When the epoxy finish is already hard and cured, just get an alcohol burner or a lighter. Simply wave it over the poked out thread from the epoxy. The flame will usually burn the thread off the epoxy leaving clean guide wrap.
3. Utilize the right thread cutting devices
Basically, taking advantage of the appropriate cutting device for threads may sometimes be ignored. In order to prevent this common problem with the fishing pole winding thread, generally use the appropriate cutting device for the specific task.
*Cut the following using the scissors:
- Thread coming out from the spool
- An excess thread that will be trimmed off later on
Unfortunately, aside from the two scenarios, a pair of scissor is not actually effective in cutting the rod winding thread. It is basically due to the reason that the blades of scissors are wider in contrast with the cutting tools intended for cutting the thread in the fishing rod. With this, it is actually better to use thread clippers and razor blades because of the thinner diameter and sharper edge.
*Use the thread clippers during the following:
- Fast trimming of the thread that comes out from the spool
- Clip the thread when adding trim bands and other decorations
- Cutting threads of metallic and braid type
Generally, the thread clippers have thin and extremely sharp blades used to cut the thread. This clipper utilization leads with little to no fraying or splitting over the tip of the thread. Moreover, the thread clippers comfortably fit within your hands to cut the thread a little bit fast.
*Trim the following using the razor blades:
- The tag end of the thread at the beginning of the guide wrap
- The running thread of the guide wraps that flush over the wrap finish
The razor blade is basically the smallest and sharpest cutting tool. Because of this, trimming the tag ends and the running threads of the guide wraps is effectively achieved. Just simply lay the razor blade flatly on the guide wrap. Make sure that the blade is facing the thread that you will be cutting. Afterwards, get the thread and pull it towards the blade.
4. Hiding the thread’s tag end
Basically, it is not that easy to hide the tag end of the beginning thread as well as of the running thread of the fishing pole guide wrap. It is actually ironic because starters may find it easy to hide the tag end. They just have to finish the thread wrap within the underside of the blank. Eventually, tuck the tag end below the rod and it will generally make it invisible and enhance the appearance of the wrap.
Moreover, in terms of performance, hiding the tag just below the rod guarantees that the wrap would not loosen and become undone. However, if you leave the tag end on the foot guide, the thread wrap will generally slide, loosen, and come apart.
Final Thoughts
How to wrap a fishing pole is actually an easy method. It basically involves various ways to perfectly do it. For the purpose of enhancing the appearance, the looks, and the design of the fishing pole, you must have to strictly follow the step-by-step process of doing it. Moreover, to be successful in achieving a clean thread wrap finish, consider the tips and tricks that we’ve mentioned here. Making those ways will not only enhance the looks of the fishing pole but also improve your strategy in designing it.
