I keep hearing contradictory stories about the spine of a blank. Most
people seem to ignore it, but some say the right placement of the guides
along the spine (or 180 degrees opposed) is the single most important
thing to check while selecting a rod.

Is this fact or fiction?

Thanks

I have never seen(or heard of for the matter) a manufacture place guides on
the "wrong" side of the spine. All rods except multireel/trigger rods should
have their guides placed on the "spine side" of the blank. Reverse on
multireel/trigger rods.

If you place the guides on the wrong side, the rod becomes very "soft" and
"slabby" if you can use these words.


/Thomas