Fishing rods have a critical path - for the line. In a similar fashion, there is one "path" going from start to finish - and if that gets disrupted, the entire thing goes nuts. In the fishing world when your line goes off a true path it results in a backlash, wrapped up line, reduced casting distance, etc. You lose time. You have to make a correction. Same as in project management lost time and corrections = lost money.
That's one of the reasons that line path theory is one of the more important aspects incorporated into ALX Rods - we use the straightest, most efficient line path available. Straight casts - no hang ups - line screaming out to get that lure in front of your next check cashing fish (or photo op for your Facebook profile!).
Tonight I participated in the Tuesday night Chat Forum on thebassholes.com - check them out every Tuesday at 8:30pm EST. I was asked about spiral wraps (AKA: Robert's, Revolver, acid wrap, etc). We don't use them unless specifically requested.
Here's why:
A typical ALX Rod set up:
Here's an example of two different "spiral" set ups:
It isn't hard to see the line paths highlighted in yellow. Both spiral builds have a change in direction at the point the line transitions to the bottom of the rods. The Simple has a dramatic change while the Revolver style set up has less change, but still more than a traditional on top build. We just believe straighter is better.
There is an advantage to "spirals" in reducing torque on rods. It gets the line under the rod - to a path of least resistance. If we only fought fish or worked lures straight down, we'd buy into that. We flex our rods every direction known while fishing. Also, when the fishing reel is changed to where we aren't cranking a handle - creating a massive amount of torque by using it - we'll look closer at that advantage. We question the torque generated mid rod by the line moving under it - you have line pressing on one part of the rod and then pulling on others. We're not sure if that is good or not.
Until our minds are changed - we'll choose to build the most efficient critical path - unless you just really want to be crooked. :)
Tight lines!
