My customer wants a 5'6", 50-80# class rod. Here's the catch. He needs it to be a 2 piece!

The rod will be used to fish off of rigs and must break down into two pieces no longer than 2.75 ft. per section so that it can be discretely taken aboard a helicopter.

He says he tucks the rod butt up under his left armpit when fighting a fish so he would prefer a hypolon handle.

It looks like my only choice is to take a heavy, one piece, offshore blank and somehow make it into a two piece! Can this be done?

Does anyone have any ideas??

Dave

The article that ran in RodMaker some time ago showed how to make such a heavy duty ferrule - you need an inner and over-sleeve in combination.

..........

Buy a solid fiberglass blank, a rear grip, an 8'' fore frip and a Lakeland model no. 5163S two piece reel seat. Cut the blank so that you have enough length to put together your components for the grip.
Sometimes i use a gimbal but most often i use a large rubber butt cap. Then you will have to trim the top section the length that you need. I use two turbo type guides and an Aftco roller top. Normally those solid fiberglass blanks don't have a coating on them so i'll wrap the blank in any of the j metallic brand threads to give them a color. I then coat the blank and the guides with three coats LS Supreme.
Yeah, i know what all of you are thinking; you shouldn't use an epoxy as a coating for your rods but i've been building these "Helicopter Rods" for six years now and have not had any problems with the finish peeling off.

Lance

Lance ...
Are these guys fishing from the oil rigs?

Yes they are, Ken. I use Shakespeare solid fiberglass blanks. The only complaint that i have ever received is that they have been stolen from some of my customers.

Maybe you can sell them Theft Insurance?? LOL

I'd be interested to find out what you end up going for and how well it performs.

I've been looking at doing something similar myself and had pretty well decided that buying two blanks, one for the rod and one for ferrules was probably the best way to go.

The jury is still out on that one though.

Please keep us informed

AndyDave Fullbright wrote:

> My customer wants a 5'6", 50-80# class rod. Here's the catch.
> He needs it to be a 2 piece!
>
> The rod will be used to fish off of rigs and must break down
> into two pieces no longer than 2.75 ft. per section so that it
> can be discretely taken aboard a helicopter.
>
> He says he tucks the rod butt up under his left armpit when
> fighting a fish so he would prefer a hypolon handle.
>
> It looks like my only choice is to take a heavy, one piece,
> offshore blank and somehow make it into a two piece! Can this
> be done?
>
> Does anyone have any ideas??
>
> Dave
>

I'm with you Lance, All my standups and offshore rods are completly coated with Flexcoat, at least 2 coats somtimes 3 or 4. I have sold hundreds of these rods over the years and have not one customer complain about the finish.Jesse

Now I feel better. I have thinned out Glass Coat like water and covered a painted blank with it. UL. I beat the heck out of it and it seems to be holding up well

My brother-in-law works the rigs off the mouth of the Mississippi River and uses a solid glass rod to fish with. It is a two piece shorty as described by Mr Dupre.

He fishes for Amberjack and other species and catches some humongous ones. C2

Thanks Lance, and everyone else who replied!

I didn't know anyone else was building this type of rod. I've never heard of it before!

Thanks
Dave

Dave..Not that many years ago (at least, to me), you would've been advised to simply buy and install the proper size chrome-over-brass or aluminum Feralite-type ferrule. For your purposes, I'm having trouble seeing anything wrong with this approach today. I suspect it'd be easier and cheaper, and just as reliable.Essentially, measure the diameter of the rod where you intend to cut it, and buy the closest size ferrule set to fit.I doubt this kind of ferrule is still being produced, but most of the supply dealers who've been around a while have new old stock. A hacksaw and a little Rodbond,and you oughta be in business. Good luck. Barry