Rod Testing

[Bill B]

Ok, so I have fully drunk the Alan Tani Kool-Aid (probably spiked with tequila) but after watching him test rods to determine maximum drag for a rod I built my own test rig.

With the rod supported at a 45* angle, a heavy line (80# dacron in my case) is secured at the top hood of the reel seat and ran through the guides.  Then pulling the line straight down, against a drag scale until the tip is halfway between the arch of the rod and the rod butt.  The scale is read and using the 1/3rd rule I have the optimum drag for that rod.  So a rod that pulls to 10# is considered a 30# rod.  So I can use 30# line with 10# maximun drag and use the rod to the full potential. 

When building my test rig, a piece of PVC is bolted to the board and another bolt (well padded) was placed 28" above the bolt securing the PVC pipe.  The board is then secured to my work bench at a 45* angle.  I used 28" because most of my rail rods has the fore grip in the area I would put on the boat rail.  While not perfect, I will not be testing hundreds of rods, just what I have (shut up Brewcrafter  ) 

I wholly recommend using a throw away rod while building the test rig, accidents happen.

I consider this a step in building a balanced rig, meaning the rod, line, and reel are in alignment regarding reel drag, rod flex, and line weight.  Essential as testing your drag with a drag scale before you hit the water.  Plus with this acid test you will find out IN THE SHOP AND NOT ON THE BOAT if your rod can handle the drag pressure. 

Take this as you will, maybe have a glass of Alan's Kool Aid     Bill

[oldmanjoe]

I am looking at the set up , you have 10 pounds on the scale in that configuration ?
If that is a 30 pound stick the guide train is weak by 2 guides .  with the scale set up the way you have it ,I believe you have more than 10 pounds of pull .   Do you have 10 pound weights like a dumbbell or lifting weights to hang from the stick ?

[pjstevko]

Nice job Bill! Another fun way to play with our gear

[Bill B]

I am looking at the set up , you have 10 pounds on the scale in that configuration ?
If that is a 30 pound stick the guide train is weak by 2 guides .  with the scale set up the way you have it ,I believe you have more than 10 pounds of pull .   Do you have 10 pound weights like a dumbbell or lifting weights to hang from the stick ?

Joe, I took that into consideration, the first turn on the right side is the only turn in the equation.  I relaxed that turn to ensure I got a somewhat accurate drag measurement. Bill

[Keta]

NICE.  I would move the top contact point off of the blank and on to the hapalon. And pull straight down.  Building one is on my to do listt.

[oldmanjoe]

  The way I see it , you have a block and tackle effect "two part line " around the scale .
    You may have as much as 18-20 pounds of pull /load on the stick .    By the pictures , I am going to guess that the rod tip is about 28-30 inches from the floor .  Hang 10 pound on the line and I think you will see more distance from rod tip to floor . 

[Bill B]

NICE.  I would move the top contact point off of the blank and on to the hapalon. And pull straight down.  Building one is on my to do listt.

this is my test rod.  I did repeat my test a couple times and got the same results. 

[Bill B]

The way I see it , you have a block and tackle effect "two part line " around the scale .
    You may have as much as 18-20 pounds of pull /load on the stick .    By the pictures , I am going to guess that the rod tip is about 28-30 inches from the floor .  Hang 10 pound on the line and I think you will see more distance from rod tip to floor .

My test results were within the stated line weight from the manufacturer so Im fairly confident the results are FAIRLY accurate.  Now that my rig is secure enough to not fail and damage more expensive rods, I will continue testing.  Hate to destroy a high dollar rod during testing the faze of the testing rig. More testing to come.  Bill

[Swami805]

Nice job Bill but to get an accurate reading the scale needs to be straight down off the tip. That redirect creates a mechanical advantage so it's pulling more than 10lbs
Might try a 5 gal bucket filled with some water with the scale between the bucket and the rod tip. Just add water to get the desired weight

[oldmanjoe]

Nice job Bill but to get an accurate reading the scale needs to be straight down off the tip. That redirect creates a mechanical advantage so it's pulling more than 10lbs
Might try a 5 gal bucket filled with some water with the scale between the bucket and the rod tip. Just add water to get the desired weight

Water is about 8 pounds per gallon .    16 Oz of water is 1 pound .

[Bill B]

Would this work?

[oldmanjoe]

Would this work?

No .  I will show you with pictures .  First set is with a spring scale . dead weight is 13 pounds . 3 th picture is rope over the hook and the tag end is anchored with my foot , now the gage is reading 21 pounds .

  Another set with electronic digital scale readings , same tests 13.74 went to 21.74  .
You want deadlift pulls for your tests .

[Bill B]

Gotcha!  Thank you

[Cor]

The way I see it , you have a block and tackle effect "two part line " around the scale .
    You may have as much as 18-20 pounds of pull /load on the stick .    By the pictures , I am going to guess that the rod tip is about 28-30 inches from the floor .  Hang 10 pound on the line and I think you will see more distance from rod tip to floor .

I think so as well, some leverages at play here at a guess the actual pull will be double the reading?

[oldmanjoe]

Fair warning  There is a term called  " Common Cents " for measuring fishing rods .
https://anglersresource.net/rod-ratings/


This one is more in line of what you are trying to do.

https://www.lamiglas.com/blogs/lamiglas-fishing-rod-blog/line-rating-power-lure-rating-explained?srsltid=AfmBOoq5nlvZyHTboh9_QmUyjMALqW78iAuAZ-7mvi5pmuxRhegY5d-R