"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers"
Nope, what you're seeing is shoddy workmanship. A baitcasting rod can be
built with a Robert's Wrap, but it isn't possible with a spinning rod.

Spending a lot of money doesn't necessarily equate to quality. I
discovered that long ago when I started upgrading my equipment. It is
also the primary reason why I got into rod building in the first place.
I'll take the same components and assemble a much better rod!


Well done Steve! Thanks for the clarification. After further search, I
found the following which directly reinforced what you said:

Roberts Wrapped Guides on a Fishing Rod
I won a great bait casting rod from Millennium Rods in Tennessee in an
internet bass fishing tournament. The rod is very light and sensitive, and I
really like it. It has the Robert's Wrap system of guide placement on it.
On a Robert's Wrapped rod, the guides spiral around the rod, so the line
never touches the rod even when it is bent. Spinning rods don't have this
problem, but since bait casting rods have the reel on top of the rod, when
you fight a fish the rod bends and the line rubs against the rod itself.

This system has been around for a long time and some people really like it.
I have no problems with it, but I can not tell that it really helps. I have
never had a problem with the line rubbing against the rod while fighting a
fish - maybe I just don't catch fish big enough to be a problem!

The Robert's Wrap is supposed to make the line flow more smoothly, too, but
I can't really tell.

I use the Millennium rod for pitching and it works well. It looks a little
strange, but I like it fine. I probalby would not pay extra for the system
when buying a rod, though.
Try out a fishing rod with Robert's Wrapped guides and see if you like it.
That is the real test

The foregoing was written by Ronnie Garrison, and is posted on
www.fishing.about.com

Thanks for helping with the ongoing education.