Because many of you like the Gator blanks, I decided to wrap one and give it a try.

Thanks, Strizile, for the advice on the number of guides as well as for the spacing.

Blank: Gator T90H
Guides: AMTAK Foulproof Guides & SS Tip
Reel Seat: AMTAK Graphite 24
Grips: 8" EVA Foregrip, 20" Corktape w/Black X-Tube Reargrip & Rubber Buttcap
Thread: ProWrap Nylon D Wildberry, Teal & Silver Smoke

The T90 lives on! Very nice work!!!

very nice very clean

you should have wetsanded the blank tho

Nice Work. Looks are classic other than the but grip

Now that is a beauty

The Wildberry almost looks like Madeira


Lovin the slim rear grip

Amazing work.

Guide Wraps are amazing and I'm sure took some time.

The Fade on the Butt is SICK, it gets me thinking how did you do that once the grey/silver starts to appear in the fade, looks very complex.

And of course, you had me the second I layed eyes on that Permit decal!
I was going to put that one on the Permit rod I built but went with a different permit decal.

Very nice colors blend perfect, 1 question tho how come the foregrip isn't shrinkwraped?

Thanks for the compliment and for the question. I didnt shrink tube the foregrip out of personal preference and influence from the man who taught me how to wrap rods. It was his style so it kind of became mine.

[quote="strizile"]Now that is a beauty

The Wildberry almost looks like Madeira

Very true. ProWrap Wildberry is going on more of my future rod builds for sure. Thanks for the help again.

Honestly, I don't know what wetsanding is. Any tips would help? Thanks.

hey your welcome

anytime

BTW a thicker coat along the blank would have taken the ribbed effect a little better out but in general no need to do that now.

The ribbed blanks are the only ones that I coat entirely. On a glossy with a good finish there is no need anyway. To make it shine a lill better a coffee filter with a little Permagloss on it and the blank ran thru gives a even dispersed super thin coat for the shine shine.

Wet sanding would have been with a like 600 grit at first then a 800 grit and then up to a 15oo grit to sand the edges "everything with water" off the ribs. Then tho you might wind up having to paint the blank if you are not careful.

You did way good the way it is IMO

Thanks for the tips, Strizile. I wonder...have you ever thought about organizing a get together with some of the guys to do some rod wrapping? I know I would benefit from learning some of those tips you just shared with me.

Pier Afficinado mentioned that a while back to do something like that.

I honestly do not have the time nor the wills to do such thing.

I will always share the little I know cuz that is just the way it is supposed to be.

If you want to really dig in and learn a lot of the nitty gritty and advanced stuff then join the Rod Builders Guild and also the BD Outdoors aka Bloodydecks and hang out in the rod building forum.

Some repeats but also very much new stuff every day. IMO some of the most gifted rod builders in the nation are to be found there. So much inspiration you can get there and naturally evolve with what you do. Your building is clean and you seem to have your signature wrap with the fades. Something I have never developed because all my builds are are so different and all are 100% unique which if you want to say so is my signature if any.

The guild offers much support as does BD.

For starters check out the Rod Builders Library

http://rodbuildingtutorials.com/

You or anyone else ever has a question that please just ask. If I can help I will - always

I can vouch for that, thanks to StriZ.

Juan you got that wrong

it is STRiZ not StriZ LMAO

All good - thanks

BTW BacolodBoy77

Sorry did not mean to derail.

Your thread and you seem to do some really fine work tip to butt

Very nice rod. I like the shrink wrap alot better than foam. I don't know why they don't do more shrink wrap.

Congratulations, very sleek look and great colors, I have a shrink wrapped rod from Mojo surf line and love the feel in my hand... great job

very nice work.

nice job on the rod!

Would like to know if this rod would work well with a Diawa Sealine 30, if so does anyone know who can build me one. Is it good for casting of the piers with 4-6 lead. Really looking to get something quick but quality work. Would like to get a Mutton and Permit emblem in the wrap.. I fish Anglins alot of the T, so maybe this will give someone a feel for what I am looking for.

Great work thats the colors I was looking for..

PM me if you know someone who can do this or has one for sale.

Well once you get the pm from him you'll have a builder I guess and a IMO good one too.


Here my take on the blank

Since it is not the T90XH but the T90H it would pair up perfectly with the Daiwa and 4 to 6 oz lead is not even a question. Actually you will be able to overpower most common catches down here from the strain that the blank can take.

Not Calstars n stuff but a blank that is just straight up made to last and perform for a very good price.

You can't go wrong with that blank or even T90L T90XH

Thanks for the info, hope he sees this if not, loving your work too!

Oh and by the way put down the wrong reel, it is a Saltis BG 40H

I have a custom T90XH 9'. No complaints at all, wait I would have left the blank at 10' and got the rubber grips rather than foam, if I got one again. I have mine paired with a Shimano Torium 30. Its a beast and great rod lots of power. This is a common peir jetty rod down here that all go for. You cant buy these at a store has to be custom made. Get one custom made for sure well worth it and the rod in my opinion will last forever.

I have a Saltist 30TH on the rod. I like the combo but am worried that I might get spooled once I hook into something big. I'm fishing straight 40 mono. As for the custom wrapping, I'm far from south Florida. Otherwise, I wouldnt mind wrapping one for someone who is interested.

can it 8 ounces for trollying or is t90xh better