Grinder Rods

[Bunks]

Hi All
Made the switch to grinder rock and surf fishing  a while ago and I have quite a few conventional casting rods at home. Can these rods be changed to accommodate the grinders, for example relocating the eyes to the other side of the rod or do these rods only have a "spine" on the one side? Anybody used a "normal" rod with a grinder? Obviously the eyes  will have to be changed for the braid. is it all worth it?
Might have 5 rods that i want to sell soon

[Dewald Posthumus]

I have done exactly that with one of my Purglas rods, it works a charm, however, at the cost of decent guides and a decent rod builder, you might be better off selling them and just buying a new grinder rod.
 
Breakdown:
Stripping the rod - plenty hours scraping away with a Stanley blade - cannot cost that, but pay a rod builder to do that and it quickly adds up.
Guides - FUJI LCAG guides - around R700 a set
Rod building costs - around R40 per guide, multiply that by 9 - 10  guides
Reel seat - FUJI - R100
Heat shrink - R100
Butt - R80
 
Before you know it you are at R1400...
 

[Bunks]

Dankie Dewald

[pieta]

Very true dewald. It can cost you a few bucks. But if you add the cost of a blank to that estimated R1400 you are reaching closer to R4000. Witch brand rods do you have that you would like to rebuild?

[Dewald Posthumus]

Pieta, you are absolutely correct, if you have a decent blank that you want to convert, it will be worth your while.
Bunks, here's the thread of my rebuild of the Purglas 400/2: http://www.ultimateangling.co.za/index.php?topic=19337.msg330077#msg330077
 
I can tell you this, I just love fishing with that rod, the oversized butt negates the need for a rod bucket, the rod is light and responsive with the epoxy coating removed and replaced with a wax, the grinder casts like a dream, and although I use 14lb Fireline on the reel, I am yet to break the braid! Generally, it is an awesome scratching rod, that can cast anything from 3-6 ounces, and good distance too. And can be used for short popping / plugging sessions as well.