I want to build a rod for wade fishing the texas coast. I want a blank about 6'9" & very light, but strong enough to handle a redfish even though I'll use it for trout. I'll be throwing mainly TW's & plastics with light jigheads. Any recommendations?

George,

I fish the Gulf coast also and target mainly Trout and Redfish. The best rod I have come across is the G Loomis HS-9000 IMX. Sensative, light and plenty of power to hand the Reds, also a great rod for plastics/TW's although a bit pricey.

Recently I tried the IP902,903,904 IM6 in the Rainshadow, all are excellant blanks for the money. I tossed plastcis during the Fall over shell reefs and caught plenty of trout and the rods all performed great, using 1/8 oz heads and 10# line. This is a great rod for the price. Contact Bob at Custom Tackle and he will get you going.


Good Luck,

Hope your next Trout is a 14 pounder................

Pat Barnard
Pats Custom Rods

and I use a 7.5' GL3 steelhead blank for chunking hardware.When using a popping cork or in the surf I use the 8.5' GL3.The longer rod is great on windy days(almost every day)or when I need to cast farther.One of these days I'm going to spring for the IMX.Good luck..........Kyle

Most of our customers in that part of the country, and for the same applications, go to the IP842, 843, & 844 models in that 7' range.
Although we are experiencing folks picking up our HS9000 & 9001, as well as the 8' IP983 &964 more recently.
Bob Batson
Rainshadow Rod Blanks
Forecast Rod Components

George, I wade fish from Galveston to Port Mansfield, not all in one day of course, and I have gone to a 6 1/2 foot medium action rod. I seem to get better action on top waters and easier on the wrist. In December I e-mailed Bob Batson and he suggested these blanks in the 6 1/2 ft size: MB783, in the 7 ft size MB 843. St. Croix makes a rod that is 6 1/2 ft no.EC66MF (don't know the blank number) that is also on my list to build this year for myself. I normally carry an extra rod in my belt rod holder when I am making long wades so I plan to build both the Rainshadow and the St. Croix. Keep pushing water. Ellis

I wade fish on Long Island, mostly striped bass, bluefish and weakfish, and am using a rod that I built on a lamiglas glb 84 1L. I throw 3/8 oz jigs with no problem

Tony

Thanks for the responses.

The blank I was thinking of building on is a Lamiglas Perigee PW84L. Anyone use this blank?

Another thought was the Rainshadow XC842 or 843.

If you are looking at the "XC" models in the Rainshadow Xcel series, also take a look at the XP842 and XP843. These are the Popping actions. Either would be fine, just depends on the action that you require.
Bob Batson