I am new to the custom rod scene, having built my first "sorta" custom last summer. I say sorta, because Don had already laid the rod out, and all I had to do was wrap away..(Which was an experience to itself, me being born with 10 thumbs etc,...)

As I look at the blanks offered to the left here, I keep wondering about what you really get. Most folks I have talked to (In this situation I am talking about 8^bait heavers) it seems very few builders build the blank as purchased, some lop 3" off here, 6" off here, 3" in the butt etc, I have even heard discussions on the beach (usually fueled with a sprinkling of adult beverages) of adding 1/2 to 1 oz weights in the butts to develop more speed to make the cast longer.

about this time my head explodes, and I go back to fishing.

I am looking at building several rods to upgrade my arsenal. But when I look at the capacities / ratings of the rods I wonder how much do they really apply. (There are very few shops in the Wakefield Virginia area where I can fondle blanks at will, so my purchases will be online or at the show next month.)

Say for instance, I am looking for a 7-8' blank for flounder fishing from the shore. rating should be 1/2-2.

I have seen many rods whose action / rating appears to fit the bill.... (allstar BESP965 is my present preference)

but, knowing (now) that it seems everyone lops something off of the rod, how do you predict the reaction to say lopping 3" off of a rod ?

should you tape the guides and start from there ?

How Do you find a rod in a blank ?

I can't help you with your specific question, but I will say that if you want to 'fondle' some rods and get some good info. call Capt. Ray at Fishsticks4U. Their shop is right across the river from you in New Kent. They have bent over backwards to answer all of my stupid questions.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/18/2005 12:56PM by Erik Hilliard.

Tommy,

I think there might be less "lopping" going on out there then it appears or that the "lopping" simply gets more press then the normal wraps. I think you done the right things so far. Find a blank that looks like it is going to fit the fishing situation you are looking and at and build it. If it doesn't work, you can, (and will,) always build another.

Hey Tom,
as far as a Flounder Blank goes, I had found a great article on this and some rod recomendations from the author. I can't seem to locate it on my lap top but I know I have it printed off at home. Send me a e-mail and I will send you back the information.

Tom

If you can find something suitable, I'd do it and leave the blank length as is. One thing you can always count on, is that trimming a blank from either end results in the blank's action becoming slower. Trimming from the tip may enable you to cast slightly more weight while trimming from the butt reduces overall power. Again and in either case, the action becomes slower than it was when you had the full length blank. And remember, once you trim a blank you void any warranty.

Out of an expected 4,000 to 5,000 blanks available at the National Rod Builders Show in Charlotte next month, I suspect you can come up with almost exactly what you want without having to trim anything.


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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/18/2005 02:03PM by Tom Kirkman.

You know im a newbie also, but If you are still building the 136 Lami, I wouldnt cut any length or add weight to the butt.. I plan to contact a sponsor that will be at the show and have them put together what I want. Im sure we can find what you want (and me to) without doing any cutting... Good question tho..
Cant wait...

As above --- Perhaps it is the adult beach beverages that sparks some of the discussions on chopping , lopping or adding weights to the butt sections of blanks. Sure, I do it sometimes but with the expanding selection of blanks on the market each year with more inevitably on the drawing boards not nearly as often as before and likely less and less. And there's a difference (I THINK) between adding weight to the butt end of a blank to balance a tip-heavy blank and thinking that you're going to get more "snap" out of a blank by adding weights - better off choosing a "faster" tip blank (again I THINK).