Some old/new rods

[Swami805]

Another project I've been working on is these 3 old Truline rods.2 started life as 6 1/2' octagons and one is a old b4x 7'. Not much collector value and they weren't useful in the condition I recieved them in so I decided to modify them into something I would enjoy fishing with. I added 1 1/2' to the pair of octagons to extend them to 8' and the b4x was extended to nine feet. I wrapped them in truline colors with cork handles and old school chrome guides. I used flexcoat so they'll be more durable than an original finish since these will be fished.I added truline deacals(thanks Jerry) for a bit of authenticity but I made up model numbers so they can't be passed off as real 8' octagons.
I took one out on the endeavor in morro bay a few months ago and hung a 20lb ling with it on the first drop so I know I haven't offended the truline gods, fished it for a few more hours, the old glass rods are a pleasure to fish with.
Anyway here's a few pictures. If you have any old trulines ranching dust bunnies in a corner somewhere and you'd be willing to sell or trade let me know. Thanks for looking. Sheridan

[doradoben]

Very nice looking. I don't see them often, even on the party boats here in So. Cal. Can you share how you lengthened them?

[Swami805]

Very nice looking. I don't see them often, even on the party boats here in So. Cal. Can you share how you lengthened them?

Sure, no big trick. Use a section of old rod blank that will go up inside the rod 16-24" plus however long you want the extenison. I try not to extend the rod  more than 2'  since strength becomes an issue after that. I try to get a snug fit and usually need to build up the extension with masking tape in a few areas, since getting a perfect fit is tough to do. I use a 2 part epoxy paste (pc11) that won't drip or run so it has a good bond and fills up the void between the blanks. I also try to have the transition under the reel seat for added strength. I usually use cork for the grips since it's a little easier for this and I just like cork.
I only do this with thick wall fiberglass blanks but for the extenision graphite works fine and it's much lighter. Never done it on anything heavier than a 30-40lb rod and honestly I don't think I would trust it for anything heavier.
There's some hardcore truline guys that fish them hard, and certain models command some serious money. A buddy of mine bought a blank a few days ago for $700, not wrapped,just a blank.  I see them on the boats in so cal from time to time but unless they're octagons it's hard to tell they're trulines unless they have a label or you recognize the glass.
Hope that helps, Sheridan

[Bill B]

Great job on the restoration brother....Bill

[doradoben]

Thank you for explaining how it was done..

[Newell Nut]

Good Looking work.

[The Great Maudu]

Sheridan your works is just beautiful. I think that black on yellow is very striking.

[Swami805]

Thanks, Those are factory colors. The little touch of red highlights the yellow. Sheridan