Measure and Mark Positions for the Eye Guides

• 1). Lay the blank rod on a large, flat surface. Note the position of the reel seat at the large end of the blank where the reel will be attached. This will be the starting point to measure and mark the position for attaching the first guide, and all the guides must align with the reel seat.
  
  
• 2). Begin at the reel seat at the larger end of the rod. Measure eight inches (for a freshwater rod) toward the smaller end and mark the position for the first guide. For a saltwater rod, measure 10 to 12 inches, as needed, to accommodate a larger reel.
  
  
• 3). Move to the other end of the rod. Hold one eyelet firmly in place at the small end (top) of the rod and measure toward the larger end. Mark a position for this guide four inches from the end for a freshwater rod, and up to seven inches for a larger-size rod.
  
  
• 4). Position the rest of the guides in between and make a mark for the position of each guide. This is arbitrary, since the length of the rod will determine the number of guides you will need. The guides should be closer together toward the top of the rod than at the bottom.
  
  

Attach Guides to the Rod Using Masking Tape

• 1). Place the guide on the rod. Move it back and forth until you achieve exact symmetry and alignment with the reel seat. File the inside of the guide if necessary to make sure you get a tight fit.
  
  
• 2). Position and fit each of the rest of the guides in the same way down the length of the rod. Carefully lay each guide into a symmetrical position and in alignment with the reel seat. Point the guides down for spinning rods and up for casting rods.
  
  
• 3). Once all the guides are in the correct position, run some fishing line through all the guides to keep them in place. Then secure each of the guides to the blank using masking tape.
  
  

Wrap the Guides to the Rod

• 1). Start wrapping the thread over the tape and hold the end a quarter inch from the top of the guide. Keep tension on the thread and wind it around the blank and guide forming an "X." Now wind straight around the top of the guide and rod five or six times until the end is secured.
  
  
• 2). Use a razor blade to trim the end close to the rod. Continue winding on top of the guide directly around the rod and guide foot toward the eyelet. Lay the wraps of thread down tightly, side by side, so they lie flat, one next to the other.
  
  
• 3). Cross the thread over and around twice, and begin the same process on the bottom of the guide. This time, work away from the eyelet. Lay the wraps of thread down tightly and side by side. Continue until the wraps are a quarter inch from the bottom of the guide.
  
  
• 4). Cut the thread 10 inches from the rod. With two inches of thread make a one-inch loop. Laying the loop flat against the rod, wrap around the loop tightly another five or six times. Insert the end into the loop three times and pull through the remaining thread tightly to secure it. Trim the end as close to the rod as possible.
  
  
• 5). Mix the epoxy and spread it over all the wraps. Allow them to dry.