Matagi UL for upcoming UAG Southern series 2016

2nd rod for this year is another MATAGI hollow fiberglass blank ultralight built. I did that the same fish weaving design on it. Just thought I need more practice to get it right.

It is far from what I expected it to be. Still need more practice, I guess.

Partially finish.

KR concept Fuji k-guides

After a few coating of epoxy

Adding shadow lines effect to MATAGI rod decal

Grey and black camo EVA for the split handle. Clean and simple handle with no winding checks.

No winding check

K-guides line up

and the butt cap....

This rod is now ready for the Ultralight Anglers Gathering -  Southern series 2016 in Melaka on the 28th February..  YEAH!!!!

Here are more photos of the rod taken under the bright blue sky..

Solid GLASS Prawning ROD

I have used factory made 2 section prawning rod and most often the time, it would not last for two or three sessions before something happened it. I knew I had to built one for the prawn....

I got myself a couple the solid glass blanks from MATAGI and start a new project...  "The ROSENBERGII project"

The original action of the glass blank was quite stiff for prawning. I had to trim down the OD of the blank to make it softer especially at the tip section. The best thing of working with solid glass blank is that you can alter the bending and action to your own liking.

I used SG Graphite reel seat with quick lock and matt carbon tube insert for
the handle.

EVA fighting butt

Guide setting

Rod action

SG- SiC K-guide after epoxy

Guides inline

Completed handle

Finishing at the reel seat beneath the quick lock hood with Fuji winding check

Well, this rod will be put to test on the next prawning session.



UPDATED 11 JANUARY 2016

Just last weekend I tested this rod for prawning at Kinta River. The catch rate was not very good but I managed to hailed up a few good size.

This rod is soft and able to see it tapping when the prawn took the bait, but it is still not sensitive enough.

I think I have to make another rod with smaller taper for a change. Making it as sensitive as possible at the tip while maintaining a good backbone at the rear.

MATAGI Super Blank - UL

Seems like ultralight tackle is in..  and everybody have to own at least one UL rod.

Here's another UL built from Matagi TR60 Super Trout blank. This local area fishing blank is a 6'0" 2 piece, 2-6lb rated and made of carbon fiber.

Custom design cork grip.

Shaped

Matagi Andrew's flat face trigger reel seat with black wood insert.

Test fitting. Found out that the transparent resin butt cap does not match the concept of the handle. It have to go....

Thought of doing the wrapping in dark brown, afraid the rod will look too earthy.. and it goes back to more conventional color... BLACK

So, black it is.. with a single silver thread trimming

Matagi Rod decal..

Cork Seal for protective coating..

Micro guides..
 

The smallest guide used is only #4.5
 

The butt cap finally arrived...

Darker color butt cap to match the handle.