Got a guide wanting a striper rod able to handle 50lb striper on Tennessee lakes. I'll meet with him for details next week, but would like to take him some ideas. I know he fishes planer boards and complains he breaks at least 3 heavy Cabelas and Bass Pro rods per year on fish. I'm thinking a Lamiglass GLB 901 or 963 or maybe a GUSA B70H. I could also go Seeker. Any suggestions from the field? Component or handle suggestions also appreciated. This guy is tough on equipment and fishes 300+ days per year.

You might want to consider a solid glass blank or maybe an ugly stick. Those are my favorites for saltwater stripers and have never had anyone return one broken yet.

Regards,
Dewey

Stay with the ugly sticks. The flexable tips are great for running planers. That's why he's breaking them.

The Seeker CLB series or maybe the Loomis L904 or L905. The later are pretty stout all the way out, the former are powerful in the butt and mid-sections, soft in the tip. I have used both types for guys fishing on Norris on Boone for stripers in the size catagory and they work very well.

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I just built 2 wire line rods for saltwater stripers. I used a Calstar 670 which is rated for 20-50lb line with a Stuart Tuff Butt Sleeve and EVA grip.

Perhaps one of the best things that I like about Calstar blanks is the lifetime warranty.

Considering the guide fishes 300+ times a year, breaking 2-3 rods is not that bad. Who knows how his "guests" treat the equiptment.

As far as material of the blank goes, when I pay good money for a charter, I expect good equipment. To me, solid fiberglass blanks offer less than EGlass and composites.

Greg
www.ReelsAndEels.com

Rob -- Is the guide leaning more towards glass, graphite or maybe a composite?? Just my thought, but for planer boarding, glass or a composite would be much more durable. May want to look at the Lamiglas glass blank - BMB 96 3M or in "S" glass, the SMB 96 3M and in their composite, the CMB 96 3M. These blanks have powerful butt strength, along with a tip that does have some flex for the trolling method.
Bob McKamey -- Custom Tackle Supply

You might also try a rod called a "King @#$%&" they're a Bob Batson rod that is used up in Canada for deeptrolling for Salmon and I think also big lake trout. Not sure who up there carries them Tackle Canada maybe. I'll look around and see if I can find an address for you.

Skip the Seeker blank unless someone here can tell us that they have improved their quality. I bought a couple a year ago and they were pretty poor, not even remotely straight and poorly finished. Why take a chance.

As to breaking rods I have to think the guide does not know what he is doing, at least as far as selecting equipment, if he is breaking 3 rods a year. I have only seen a couple of rods break and they were little puny things that met up with a big saltwater fish. How often do you guys see rods break while in use and not in the car door?

Rob, I know alot of offshore Charter Captains that fish 300+ days a year and believe me they are very hard on their gear. I would go with the most durable blank and components. Make the rods look pretty and he will be happy.

Thank you for all the great feedback thus far. I spoke with the guide this morning and he gave me the following feedback:

Wants 8.5 ft casting
Cork handles
Uses 3/4 to 4oz baits
Fishes 40/50 lb test mono
Prefers limber tip for planer boarding
Breaks most rods by snags or from fish running under the boat. Inexperienced fishermen let rod slam the rod agaist the side.
Uses/breaks Eagle Claw and Cabelas fiberglass blanks (under-rated for his type of fishing I'll bet)

Not much I can do about the breakage but build one to match his line and lure weights.

I am not going to presume to know how you handle the breakage/warranty problem, but if you haven't already decided upon a wise course of action, I suggest you do so. No matter what you build, some of them are going to be broken on this gentleman's boat. Set a policy now, if you haven't already, and make sure he understands it. These rods will be used hard, and possibly abused by some of the fishermen. You don't want to be replacing rods over and over and the guide doesn't want to be disappointed if your warranty policy is not nearly as lenient as what he gets at Wal Mart.

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Good suggestion Tom. My present policy is that if all components are returned to me, I'll build a new rod for my clients for a $50.00 flat fee, plus shipping. I don't deal much in saltwater, so I don't take many hard hits. I may have to ammend the policy depending on how often this happens and what expenses I incur. I reuse the guides, often get a replacement blank from the manufacturer, and am only out the cost of the handle and my time. But I agree with you wholeheartedly, having a policy established is just plain good business. And this is after all for many of us, a business.

Much has been said about blank suggestions and how the rods are treated. For the way he is using them maybe think about using a spiral wrap. It will be well suited for his application, and very custom. It will draw attention and result in future sales.

Just a thought,

Bruce Young
Landing Gear

The classic striper wire line trolling blank is the Lami BT857S that is used by the commercial and charter fleet for trolling stripers. it is an Eglass blank and is very durable. Comes in Black and Honey.

Thanks Al. I'll take a look at that blank as well.

Rob
I strongly sugest you stay with the Shakespeare Ugly sticks. Their "Guts Butts" blanks have more power in the butt section. To make the rod you describe take their 10' blank and cut from the tip and butt to achieve the action your customer desires. Send me an e-mail if you want more info.
NeilB

My druthers is to build him a rod on an Ugly Stick blank, but they do live up to their name--they really are ugly. Guess it's a decision between building him the perfect, unbreakable planer board rod, or something not quite as appropriate, but better to look at so other guides and fisherman will take notice of my work. And Ugly Sticks seem so...80's. Ah, the dilemma! I may build it on an Ugly Stick blank yet. Thanks for the thread of advice.