Skip to main content

Finding The Spine On A Rod Blank

The Spine

Finding the spine on a rod blank is really easy. Nearly all rod blanks are made by wrapping graphite and/or fiberglass around a mandrel. The wrapping process causes a slight deviation in the material which results in softer and stiffer sides to the rod blank—commonly referred to as the spine.

The spine basically determines which way the blank prefers to bend or flex. The best way to understand the spine is to think about your own backbone spine. Your body really only wants to bend in one direction—which is very similar to a rod blank. Every rod blank has a spine. Some are more defined and than others. Using a Spine Finder will help pinpoint the exact location on your rod blank.

Finding The Spine On A Rod Blank

Finding The Rod Spine:

—Wrap masking tape around the middle of the rod blank. This is where you will mark which side of the rod blank the spine is on.

—Support the rod near the top with an open palm so that the section of the rod blank is resting at roughly a 30-degree angle.


—Apply downward pressure to the rod blank as you roll the blank along a smooth surface.

—You will notice that the blank tends to pop or spring into a pronounced curve, and is difficult to role the blank out of that curve. You just found the spine of your rod blank.


—Now, mark the outside of that curve on the tape with a pen. We will refer to that side as the spine (or spine side).

—If you are building a multi-piece rod, repeat this process for all rod sections. Keep in mind the rod always wants to bend in that direction and has the most lifting power.

—If you are building a spinning rod, your rod guides will be located on the inside of the curve 180-degrees to the spine.

Recommended


—If you are building a casting rod, your guides will be located on the outside of the curve on the spine.

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Humminbird's TargetLock Foot Pedal Functions EXPLAINED
Learn

How to Pick the BEST Hook for Your Soft Plastic Bass Lures

Humminbird's TargetLock Foot Pedal Functions EXPLAINED
Learn

Swapping Out TOPWATER Frog Hooks for Better Hook Ups

Humminbird's TargetLock Foot Pedal Functions EXPLAINED
Learn

The BEST Hook For Catfish

Humminbird's TargetLock Foot Pedal Functions EXPLAINED
Gear

Maximize Fishing Graph Screen Inches For Maximum Fishing Data Output

Humminbird's TargetLock Foot Pedal Functions EXPLAINED
Learn

DIY Rod Build: Exceeding Expectations with the Perfect Multi-Purpose Bass Rod

Humminbird's TargetLock Foot Pedal Functions EXPLAINED
Gear

Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 120 UNBOXING

Humminbird's TargetLock Foot Pedal Functions EXPLAINED
Learn

GENIUS Planer Board Modification Tip with Ross Robertson

Humminbird's TargetLock Foot Pedal Functions EXPLAINED
Gear

In-Fisherman's Old Town Sportsman PDL 120 Walk-Through with Thomas Allen

Humminbird's TargetLock Foot Pedal Functions EXPLAINED
Learn

Old Town Salty PDL 120 Kayak Walk-Through

Humminbird's TargetLock Foot Pedal Functions EXPLAINED
Learn

NEW In-Fisherman TV River Jet Boat: Yamaha Powered SmokerCraft Pro Sportsman 1866

Humminbird's TargetLock Foot Pedal Functions EXPLAINED
Learn

DECKED OUT 2023 Starcraft STX 2050: New In-Fisherman TV Boat

In-Fisherman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the In-Fisherman App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top In-Fisherman stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All In-Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now