A method for fabricating a fishing rod which optimally locates the line guides of the rod for improved distance casting. The method includes the steps of: (i) inducing a vibratory force transversely of the elongate axis to identify node locations associated with one or more rod harmonics along the length of the rod; and (ii) placing guides at each node location for receiving fishing line. The node positions minimize the relative motion of the line guides relative to the fishing line when casting to minimize line drag while maximizing rod damping.