Esteemed Rodbuilding Folk,

Having never actually "popped" for trout, salmon, bass or walleye, I am curious as to what these things are. I am thinking of picking up a couple of 6'6" blanks labeled as "popping" blanks, only because I want to try a particular manufacturer's high-end blanks, and these are all that I can find. Finished rods would be used for walleye/smallmouth jigging and live bait. My question: will "popping" blanks function well, or better to look elsewhere for "spinning" blanks ?

Thanks and Happy Holidays !

Don Eurillo
deurillo2@stny.rr.com

"The blank knows not what it will be used for". Choose the blank by the size, butt diameter, tip size, length, line wt, lure wt or any other comparable measurement from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Really depends on the manufacturer and the blanks power rating. USUALLY (being as general as I can be), the 2 power 6 to 12 lb blanks are fast actioned with light tips, aren't to bad a choice for smallmouth,live bait, also not a bad crankbait rod, likes 6 to 8 lb line best. Makes a passable drop shot/finesse rod.
4 power blanks are more moderate actioned so they can be used for bait without throwing delicate baits like live shrimp off, wouldn't be a bad worm rig blank for walleyes or larger deep crankbaits, use my 7 ft 4 power rods for spinner fishing small stream steelhead all the time, a natural 12 lb line rod, usually.
Hope this helps some. More specific info would narrow it down some.

Popping rods, correct me if I am wrong, originated on the Gulf Coast. Originally they were made using 7 foot medium powered blanks to cast a float with a short leader and live shrimp for bait. You made the cast and popped the float to attract the fish to your bait. Most of these blanks are rated for 10 to 14 lb. line and for lures or float in the 1/4 to 3/4 ounce range or there abouts. I have made popping rods from all sorts of blanks as long as I stayed in the pound and lure range mentioned above. I just made my son a popping rod using a Pac Bay mag bass blank. I chose the blank based on the action, power and lure range rather than the type of blank. Like Ken says, the fish will never know the difference.
Cheers, Ellis