I have a friend that wants me to build him a 10-11 ft. surf rod (spinning), he generally uses 20lb and throws no more than 6 oz. It needs to be a two piece. Looking for recommendations, I have no experience with these rods.
Thanks,
Ken Saums

Allstar rods has some really nice blanks that fit that description. Check out their Elite "Breakaway" line of blanks.

I would recomend a Purglas 350-3. This blank is rated to throw 6-8oz and is 11' 6" in length. These blanks are very light and cast/fish great. I have built countless surf rods using Lamiglas, breakaway, Purglas blanks. Purglas blanks come in 2 equal sections using a spiggot for the connection. Send me a email if you have any other questions.

Ken: If you have no experience with surf rods, then you may want to do some general reading on building surf rods. Check out the back issue of Rodmaker Magazine Volume 7, Issue #1, pages 22-33. Read the article "Guide to Building SURF RODS", written by Tom Kirkman, with Mike Ballard, Neil Faulkner & Ken Preston. It's only $7, it's cheaper than any book and covers a wide range of considerations. -Cliff Hall-.
To order a RMM back issue [7(1)], go to: www.rodmakermagazine.com

Allstar 1418 11'6" 3-6OZ This blank is Sweet!! Throws 4oz a LOOOONNNNGGG WAY

Ken,
I agree with Bret on the All Star Breakaways. Lots of bang for the buck. I've built several of the BGSW 1418 11'6" two piece. Rated 2-7oz. lure weight, they are real cannons with 4-5 oz.+ bait. Probably the most popular non-heaver custom on the NC coast. Not a plugging rod, but one of the best bait blanks out there. E-mail me if you want to come look at one . (We live pretty close)

Lynn Huffman

Rainshadow has a nice selection of blanks. Website : batsonenterprises.com
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us.
Bill Batson
CEO
Batson Enterprises
Rainshadow/Forecast
877-875-2381
wbatson@olypen.com

Ken -
I have now built a string of 10'6" surf rods based on Rainshadow blanks - with the emphasis on the lighter end of the spectrum (1264's). For this region - Chesapeake Bay bait fishing, Delaware and Maryland coastal ocean plugging, metal tossing they are an absolutely outstanding choice. They are very light (comfortable for a day of fishing). They can toss 1-4Oz easily (nice for plugging, jetty jockeying and tossing and controlling metals in the cuts). They also have plenty of reserve power to bring a decent fish through the suds and onto the beach. I built the first one for myself - and it has impressed everyone that has cast it. How impressed are they? In three months I've built 6 of them - and the word is still spreading.
I have not tried the heavier Rainshadow blanks (yet). For the heavier "Hatteras heaver" 8oz + bait and up - All Star Breakaway(1502)and the American Tackle Patriot series (1418-2) are really hard to beat. The difference in them is if you prefer the even 50/50 split on the blank or the "English" style 30/70 (short butt section / longer tip).
Up front -- I have not built any surf rods on PurGlas or Conoflex blanks.
Ken

Thanks for all the responses. Cliff, I have that issue thanks for the reminder.

-Ken

I am by no means an expert, but do not forget the allstar 1267. It twas me first build and I love it for 4-5 oz....I rigged it for either a abu 6500 or a stradic 4000....love it...

Good Luck !!