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Q:
I am looking to mark off a few common fish measurements on my saltwater rods for quick and dirty measuring (e.g. 20"/28" for measuring redfish.) Any recommendations for what materials to use to go about this? I figure fingernail polish would chip off with rod flex and household tapes wouldn't take too well to being wet all the time.
Question by Fascion. Uploaded on September 11, 2009
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Answers (11)
I just did this to my trout rod. I think that I probably put way to much time into it but I cut strips of masking tape about 1/8 inch then wraped them around my rod where I wanted them. I figured they would come off with being wet all the time so I smeared a thin layer of glue on them.... After they dried I painted them with bright fingernail polish.
A friend used two or three wraps of silver rod wrapping thread covered in clear epoxy. Looks very nice and professional. Several metallic colors are available. Can get the same thread and epoxies used on many factory rods.
I am doing this to a fly rod. Might need to seal the thread to maintain the color before covering with epoxy. Also need to turn the rod every few minutes for a couple of hours until the epoxy sets (or set up something like a rotisserie motor to slowly spin the rod).
I've done something like you're talking about with Gorilla tape. I put my marks on a rod with that. Tough enough to last for a while but not so permanent I couldn't change it or get it off.
I shudder to admit I simply bought ruler-marked tape designed for the purpose for a few bucks at Wal-Mart. It has been a real help, though.
Sharpie sells metallic silver permenant markers that take pretty well on dark surfaces. I use them to mark my aluminum arrows on a managed plot I hunt. Although I've never used it where there may be frequent friction/buffing.
I used a sharpie to mark my speargun and it was well over a year before I had to darken up the marks. This helps a lot for spearfishing because you have to measure the fish in the water & you need to know if the fish is legal size before you kill it. WVOtter is right about the silver one--I used that on some dark colored scuba tanks so the dive shops don't mix them up. Either one should work on your rods depending on the color.
I'd recommend using electric tape, painting it, then covering it with a thing layer of adhesive. Painting before the adhesive is applied will keep the color on much longer.
fingernail polish will work if you clear coat afterwards.just put alittle clear over the nail polish
If you tie flies, you can use your gear from that to mark your rod. Go with a strip of something that has a nice contrasting color to your rod, then use your epoxy and cover it. You can probably make it so that the untrained eye wouldn't even notice it is an add on.
I use bright hockey tape such as yellow and orange and label the names of the fish accordingly to the pieces of tape. You can buy a role or two for about 3 to 5 bucks at an Olympia Spots or Dicks Sporting Goods or just a local sports shop.
Like MLH says, wrap the measurement with a few wraps of red for redfish, silver for trout, ect ect and then finish with a coat of clear nail polish.
Post an Answer
Sharpie sells metallic silver permenant markers that take pretty well on dark surfaces. I use them to mark my aluminum arrows on a managed plot I hunt. Although I've never used it where there may be frequent friction/buffing.
I just did this to my trout rod. I think that I probably put way to much time into it but I cut strips of masking tape about 1/8 inch then wraped them around my rod where I wanted them. I figured they would come off with being wet all the time so I smeared a thin layer of glue on them.... After they dried I painted them with bright fingernail polish.
A friend used two or three wraps of silver rod wrapping thread covered in clear epoxy. Looks very nice and professional. Several metallic colors are available. Can get the same thread and epoxies used on many factory rods.
I am doing this to a fly rod. Might need to seal the thread to maintain the color before covering with epoxy. Also need to turn the rod every few minutes for a couple of hours until the epoxy sets (or set up something like a rotisserie motor to slowly spin the rod).
I've done something like you're talking about with Gorilla tape. I put my marks on a rod with that. Tough enough to last for a while but not so permanent I couldn't change it or get it off.
I shudder to admit I simply bought ruler-marked tape designed for the purpose for a few bucks at Wal-Mart. It has been a real help, though.
I used a sharpie to mark my speargun and it was well over a year before I had to darken up the marks. This helps a lot for spearfishing because you have to measure the fish in the water & you need to know if the fish is legal size before you kill it. WVOtter is right about the silver one--I used that on some dark colored scuba tanks so the dive shops don't mix them up. Either one should work on your rods depending on the color.
I'd recommend using electric tape, painting it, then covering it with a thing layer of adhesive. Painting before the adhesive is applied will keep the color on much longer.
fingernail polish will work if you clear coat afterwards.just put alittle clear over the nail polish
If you tie flies, you can use your gear from that to mark your rod. Go with a strip of something that has a nice contrasting color to your rod, then use your epoxy and cover it. You can probably make it so that the untrained eye wouldn't even notice it is an add on.
I use bright hockey tape such as yellow and orange and label the names of the fish accordingly to the pieces of tape. You can buy a role or two for about 3 to 5 bucks at an Olympia Spots or Dicks Sporting Goods or just a local sports shop.
Like MLH says, wrap the measurement with a few wraps of red for redfish, silver for trout, ect ect and then finish with a coat of clear nail polish.
Post an Answer