Putting new eyes on old rod

[fast60eddie]

Anyone ever change a rod from a casting to a spinning? I have an old Fenwick HMG I'd like to have changed to a spinning set up.

[RadSav]

You can do it, but unless you plan on swapping out the handle (not sure if that is possible on those) the spline will be 180 degrees off.  You might notice it.  You might not.

Here is a link to some great information.  The tutorial links are rather informative.  http://anglersresource.net/GuidePlacementSoftware.aspx

[M_ray]

Yeah I have built entire rods before and Rad is right if you take all your guides off and try to make it a spinning rod your spine will be off. The spine is the natural point at which your rod will want to lock into when its loaded up or for this explanation when its bent as when you are playing a fish. If your guides are on the wrong side the rod will naturally want to roll over in your hand and your power is lost. Not so noticeable on a trout rod but it will wear you out on a steelhead or salmon rod for sure. If this is an expensive model like a Loomis or Sage and you have some dough invested I would say start over and strip the whole rod down to the blank clean it and start over with new grips. If its something cheap and you dont care much then try it, the worst thing that will happen is you will become good at wrapping. If you are going to wrap yourself you will need some equipment to do it right and a rod turner to finish the epoxy on the wraps. There are a ton of you tube vids to watch on the subject. If you are close to Auburn I know a guy that will do it for you.

[BigGoonTuna]

spine really doesn't matter that much.  in fact, i build most of mine on the straightest axis of the blank(most will have some kind of curve to them), never been an issue.

it's all doable, just a matter of how much work you want to do.  i absolutely loathe re-wraps, especially on older rods where the guide epoxy has more or less fused to the blank and it's nearly impossible to make it look nice.

[fast60eddie]

Hum maybe I should go get a new rod. Someone gave my son this older Fenwick HMG that's around 9'. He gave it to me but I don't handle level wind reels very well so I thought about having redone with new guides for spinning. It's an older model but it feels real sensitive like my 1980's hook setter. I guess it was a good thought for the old rod.

[2labs]

I've got a couple older HMG customs! AWSOME blanks. Learn the Baitcaster you won't be sorry.
Actually have a fly rod HMG blank made into my summer run baitcaster.noodle rod before the noodle rod. Use to slay the low and clear Kalama fish. 6lbs. Test and single eggs!

[RadSav]

Hum maybe I should go get a new rod. Someone gave my son this older Fenwick HMG that's around 9'. He gave it to me but I don't handle level wind reels very well so I thought about having redone with new guides for spinning. It's an older model but it feels real sensitive like my 1980's hook setter. I guess it was a good thought for the old rod.

Find an older Curado 301 (left hand good for learning the switch) and practice, practice, practice.  Won't take long at all before you wonder why you ever fished a spinner for Fall/Winter fish!  That's one heck of a good rod  

[M_ray]

I would agree with the rest that's a good rod I have a couple for bass fishing and love them. Your post didn't specify the length but now that I see it's for steelhead I would defiantly just buy a baitcaster and learn it. There are times I use both in a day based on the drift I'm fishing. Certain presentation and baits I use a spinning outfit and others are better served for a baitcaster. Sure you can use one rod for all situations but there are times when one will work better than the other. Once you get the hang You will be glad you did it! 

[Fishaholic]

I do that all the time. I use a bobbin from fly kit and use old power pro ( change it every year) I like e6000 for glue.