I am planning to build my first tuna rod. Could someone suggest how I determine the length and size of the blank? (any particular manufacturer that is better than another?). Also which guides are generally used for this type of rod? I assume the threads for the guides are larger than the "A" that I have used on spinning rods. The tuna I will be fishing for are about 60-80 pounds. Thanks for any help.
Sanford Hochman

Sanford
Don't know how much you want to spend. But If price isn't that
much of a factor you should take a look a the G Loomis
Pelagic Blanks. After talking to the local Tackle dealer
about blanks I could get for fishing Sturgean he sold on
a 7'-6" 20-30 lbs line Pelagic blank. He really wanted to
sell me the whole rod but I want to build my own. Go test
one out you'll be impressed.

Joe

pacbay has a tuna series 48.5" to 6' 50 to 130 pound test mid 40's to mid 60 's cost wise i would look in to rollers and for sure underand over wraps also if you are a little leary they have a pbx series and the cost there is about half just a thought.. hope this helps John T Burford aka Tightline Rod's

Sanford, Give Petrochemical at call at the Left. He builds these rods and can give you direction/advice that is hard to beat. Give him a try and tap into his knowledge, he is the one.

Pat Barnard

Thanks to you all for your help. I'll check out all your suggestions. This will make my start much easier.
Sanford

Check out the Calstar line, the most popular West Coast tuna rods, I'd go to a tackle store to pull on some 40-50# class rods to determine which blank to buy. I just purchased a Calstar grafighter 700H, a 7' rod to fish 50# line on. Will use Fugi HNSG SIC guides. I triple wrap all my rods including heavy trolling rods using only A thread which is plenty strong if you finish each wrap. For a shorter 40-50# grafighter check out the 765L or 765ml blank-also popular out here for tuna.

Check w/ C.M.S. in New Bedford he's done a bunch of them. I fished a couple last summer and was very impressed.
Tom

You say that the tuna you're going for are 60-80# but what is the line weight you'll be using to fish them? The line weight has everything to do with which blank you end up choosing. Brands to consider are:

Graphite USA (my favorite for 60# line and under)
Calstar (Glass or Composite Grafighter)
Seeker (Glass or Composite Blacksteel)

Also, will you be trolling, chunking, live baiting? Do you prefer bent butts or straight? Rollers or ring guides?

For 60-80 lb tuna, I agree with Jim K. above that you should look at 40 - 50 lb or even 60 lb test tackle. 40 might be too light. If you go to 60 lb test, use AFTCO rollers, seat and gimbal - hypalon grips. I like Calstar myself - try a 765ml blank - this is 6.5 feet, which is better imo for heavier fish than a 7 footer. You can use A or D thread, whichever you prefer.

You should look at the Lamiglas composite blanks.

Kerry

hi, I read your thread on rodbuilders concerning calstar 700H.........................................could you send me the guide spacings, I building a spiral wrap tuna jigging stick..
thanks
Rich