It is the first rod I have finished using a cork grip that I built up and turned myself. It was done on a clamped hand drill and a wood brace for the end of the mandrel. Turning the grip was easy, but reaming it out was a bitch due to the hard burnt cork rings.
It was also the first rod I finished on a power wrapper. I built the wraper myself out of a small, low rpm motor from e-bay. It sure beats hand turning.
The guide size and placement was a learning process and I think I used guides that started out too large. I used the Mudhole guide spacing and guide recommendations and they are consistent with the guides on my production rods, but Noles and other builders seem to use smaller guides.
One feature I really like is the placement of the hook keeper. Most rods have it on the bottom, but a Boca rod I have has it on the right side. I like the side location, but I moved the keeper to the left side (crank side) and angled it down slightly. It is much easier to hook the lure into it than on the bottom or right side.
Specs: GL3 P842-3, 7 foot, 3 piece blank, 6-12# popping blank (mahogany colored)
Reel Seat: Fuji Deluxe
Guides: Fuji Alconites
Grips: Cork, mixed cork and burnt cork
Thread: Candy Apple red with gold trim
