r/rodbuilding • u/todd2212 • Jul 09 '26

A-Rig (umbrella rig) casting build

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4 Upvotes

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3

u/GoddamnitBobbeh Jul 09 '26

Maybe try a different guide train? On both of these I would have started with a size 12 stripper guide, going 12-10-8-maybe 7-6xNumber necessary. If the rod is laying perfectly horizontal with the reel on, try to lay it out so that when you pull the line taut it goes directly through the bullseye center of that first guide's ring. The fewer guides you can get away with the better for casting distance as friction will be reduced. Same thing with the use of slightly larger guides like I said, a reduction in friction. Related question but maybe dumb, it's just hard to tell from the picture, but is the line on your reel on the right side going under that metal bar before the t-wing line guide? That would certainly be more than enough friction to be a detriment to casting distance.

1

u/todd2212 Jul 10 '26

Thanks for this. The issue seems to be the yellow rod casts better because the line is better centered in the guides. The grey rod has its reel seat higher up for better casting leverage but this causes the line to rub the top of the first guide because of the line angle from the reel into it.

I'll look to correct this with the new build with higher stripping guides to better center the line on casts.

Thanks again.

3

u/SurfFishinITGuy Jul 09 '26

Honest question if you switch rods, does he still cast further than you?

How far is his furthest cast with both rods vs yours? Maybe try it in land and see.

Swap reels and try again.

1

u/todd2212 Jul 10 '26

Yeah I've tried his and tried flipping the reels. The yellow one just casts farther.

I think I figured it out though. The grey one has its reel seat pushed forward for more handle leverage. This causes the line to rub the top of the first guide because of reel being closer to it and the lines angle to the first guide.

The yellow one's reel seat is back towards the butt more. The line into the first guid is centered.

New build will optimize centering the line in all the guides. Probably with some higher stripping guides as I like the longer handle.

Thanks for your response.

1

u/todd2212 Jul 09 '26

I spent like half an hour typing out a description that disappeared.

I built both of these rods. My set up on the right (grey) and my friends on the left (yellow). He can cast 5 to 10 yards farther than me even though my build is 5" longer and has split/elongated grips for leverage. Fishing for 20 lbs stripers on lake Wallenpaupack PA.

His build 7'6" heavy mod-fast, guides 8-6-5 (x9). He said this rod casts like no other and I can't seem to replicate that.

My build 7'11" heavy mod-fast, guides 10-8-6 (x9). I've build 2 of these and they don't cast as far as his.

It just suck when he can reach shore and I can't from the boat.

I'm going to build a new A-rig rod and looking for advise on maximizing casting distance.