ABU GARCIA "FANTASISTA" reborn

One thing that I seldom do is parts salvaging ... especially for reel seat. It is just too time consuming. But I had this reel seat for quite some time and it took me 4 man hours to remove the blank from the reel seat.

The parts that manage to be salvaged are the reel seat, the guides and butt cap.

Test fitting the components

Putting all the components together.

Done with the reel seat and rod decal.

Guide wrapping to match the reel seat color.

After epoxy

Rear view from the butt cap

Guides line up

View from reel seat 

NORTH FORKasista Rebuilt

This project started off with just a replacement of blank in mind. I actually planned to reuse the whole handle and I just insert the new blank into the old handle. But....... I only managed to stuff in a 2-6lb blank and it was a NO go.

I have not no choice but the reclaim the handle and it has to be done very carefully not to damage the existing reel seat. 

Managed to "reclaimed" the handle after 3 hours of hard labor.

The blank selected was from North Fork Composites and rated at 6'  6-12Lb

I tried to copy the original Fantasista design as close as possible.





The epoxy work have to be done sectionally to accomodated the fixture of the fore grip.

The split grip was wrapped with metallic red color to match the reel seat and also the existing design.

All guides was wrapped with metallic red threads with metallic gold trimming.

Close up look on the wrapping.

Completed rod looks something like this....