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Isotopes on rod tip.

A

Alan White

Senior Member
I would like to put Isotopes on my rod tips
what would be the best way i would like them to be flat
on the rod not sticking up like i see some have them
I was thinking of using silicone sealant.
has anyone tried to do this?.
Please let me no how you got on.

Alan.
 
You could put the Isotope in clear shrink tube and gently heat till it shrinks,leave a tag at either end and then whip it to the rod tip in a position to suit you.I did this to my rods but I put two isotopes(Drennan) on each rod about 10 inches apart,I did this over two years ago and have had no problems with them.
 
Hi Alan,
I assume that you maybe setting your rods up 'beachcaster' style, otherwise an isotope laid flat on the rod tip is not as visible as one that is proud of the tip.
For a horizontal setup, and if the rod has not got an integral isotope, enterprise make a selection of simple clip-on 'tope holders which are upright.
For sea fishing at night with a beachcaster I use cheap Lidl nightlites and simply either whip or tape [ black insulating works] a silicon tube to the tip which holds the 'tope close to the blank .
Personly, for coarse fishing I much prefer the clip-on holders, which allows me to do away with the isotope during daylight, and simply clip them on when needed.
By the way, by 'beachcaster' style, I was thinking of big rivers, not the sea!:D

Trevor,..good idea that!
 
Last edited:
Dave Taylor said:
Hi Allan,
I assume that you maybe setting your rods up 'beachcaster' style, otherwise an isotope laid flat on the rod tip is not as visible as one that is proud of the tip.
For a horizontal setup, and if the rod has not got an integral isotope, enterprise make a selection of simple clip-on 'tope holders which are upright.
For sea fishing at night with a beachcaster I use cheap Lidl nightlites and simply either whip or tape [ black insulating works] a silicon tube to the tip which holds the 'tope close to the blank .
Personly, for coarse fishing I much prefer the clip-on holders, which allows me to do away with the isotope during daylight, and simply clip them on when needed.
By the way, by 'beachcaster' style, I was thinking of big rivers, not the sea!:D
Click to expand...

Yes Dave i use a pod beachcaster style i do not like the clip on holders and as most of my barbel fishing is at night i would like them to stay on all the time.
i was thinking of having them laid flat in silicone with some luminescent powder mixed in the silicone.
 
Last season I used resin to blob the isotopes on with only problem being is isotopes being made of glass make them very fragile.
Dropped the rod tip in a car park n it shattered quite easily so I reckon the shrink tube would be the best option.

Mark
 
i followed dave lumbs advice at the time and shrink tubed my isotopes on ,worked perfectly and worked wether up in the air or level .i'd recommend painting the mounting area either flatt white (matt) or luminus colour to match the isotope .

iso-blobby.jpg



i tried using white ptfe (plumbers) tape ,but when heating the shrink tube the tape melted ,didn't affect the isotope or how it worked

2889iso-blobby.jpg


when i replaced the rods i removed the isotopes and shrink tubing and repeated the process with the new rods .
 
When re-applying the tip ring can you just heat it back up or do you need to put more epoxy/glue back on?
 
Some options here:
Tips and Blobs
A "capsule" version with replaceable isotope has also been developed - just lack of time preventing finalising it, although have tested it over a year or so and works very well.
I'm not publicising at the moment due to seeking legal protection.
Cheers
Bob
 
I heard about the Hellermann tubing system yesterday - its expandable neoprene tubing that can be stretched 500% and is applied with a tool a bit like a bait bander. The larger tubing looks would fit over the tip eye of a rod. Wonder if something like this could work...

The tool:
http://www.canford.co.uk/images/itemimages/large/55-601_01.jpg
and
http://www.surplus-electronics.co.u...s/_mod/20110111_100900.7464.219.800.-1.85.jpg

The tubing:
http://www.hellermanntyton.co.uk/si...main-catalogue-2011-2012/ht_gb_chapter2.3.pdf
 
Last edited:
Will Smith said:
I heard about the Hellermann tubing system yesterday - it's expandable neoprene tubing that can be stretched 500% and is applied with a tool a bit like a bait bander. The larger tubing looks would fit over the tip eye of a rod. Wonder if something like this could work...

The tool:
http://www.canford.co.uk/images/itemimages/large/55-601_01.jpg
and
http://www.surplus-electronics.co.u...s/_mod/20110111_100900.7464.219.800.-1.85.jpg

The tubing:
http://www.hellermanntyton.co.uk/si...main-catalogue-2011-2012/ht_gb_chapter2.3.pdf
Click to expand...

Looks interesting Will.

I'm not keen on the idea of removing the tip ring, I'm bound to screw that up, so this and the whipping idea are good alternatives.
 
Rhys Perry said:
Looks interesting Will.

I'm not keen on the idea of removing the tip ring, I'm bound to screw that up, so this and the whipping idea are good alternatives.
Click to expand...

Quickest and easiest way without removing the tip ring is Electricians self amalgamating tape, good instead of silicone tubing on rigs as well ;)
 
I have fitted my rods with the drennan isotopes for over 4 years now. I suffered the odd tangle when the green bracket was on the rod Between the tip and last eye. But since I moved it onto the metal tube on the tip ring it has been excellent. Save yourself some time and grief and give the drennan isotope a go before you go the full hog....
Failing that get bob gill to fit some isoblobs...... the last word in tip isotopes.
 
I keep my Enterprise clip on holders on the rods all the time (I'd only like them if I took them off) and have had no problems with line wrapping around, etc. Some good ideas here, though, for an improvement. Thanks chaps!
 
I shrink tubed my isotopes on years ago, so long ago that I have had to replace them due to the light failing I don't know what the half life of the contents of Drennan isotopes is but must be a few years. Have had no problems at all
 
My pair of Avons for winter chub now have these. Made them a couple of seasons ago and they are great. Terribly unfashionable to have a threaded tip ring though... :p

CIMG3095.jpg
 
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