Just got my spring Cabelas catalog. On page 27 there is a rod called an Inner Cast. The line goes into a small guide, then into the blank and out the tip which has a "guide" like a bobbin end.

First I wondered how well they work. Second I wondered if I could get my hands on blanks like this. Third, I wondered why I would want one... there isn't much a builder could do on it.

I hope these things things don't do as well as advertised, yet I'm ashamed to say that I kinda want one.

They've been around for at least 20 years in one form or another. Daiwa had them way back when and Cabelas has had them for a decade now.

In theory they're great. Perfect stress distribution, no extra weight from guides. In practice, there are some problems. It's hard to clean the inside of the rod and once it gets dirty, you have a lot of friction between the line and blank interior (which is ribbed to try and alleviate this problem somewhat).

I'm not aware of anyone who sells such blanks for use on custom made rods.

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This is probably a private labeled Daiwa Interline. Daiwa has been making the product for years. They used to have a surf model, but these days, I believe they've limited it to freshwater, from 5'9" to 7'3". I've never heard raves about them, although noone seems to be displeased. The inside of the rod has a rifling, which supports the line and removes water from it. The big headache is that you need to use a "threader" to get the line through the rod, which means if you have a break-off while fishing, you'd better have that with you. Also, if you develop a snag of some sort, you better be careful not to reel it into the rod. I don't see what you could do custom on one besides paint it.

I've never seen or heard of these things until now. I didn't know they have been around that long. I don't know what closet I've been in to miss these! First thing I thought of was cleaning it. Not something you would want to drop into the sand or fish muddy water with.

Thanks for the inner workings Rich. I was wondering how it could distribute stress without excess friction and/or line wear. Seems like one rough spot of graphite inside it could be a disaster waiting to happen.

To me it's obvious they would have more cons than pros, but curiousity is killing me. I may have to get one for my wife or son just to see how much abuse they can take.

Mike, I have a 9 ft Diawa Interline surf rod and can count on both hands the # of times I used it.They say spinning or conventional reel but I tried every spinning reel I had and then some and after about 10 casts and retrieves the line was twisted like it was put on backwards.I even had the line wound at the tackle shop thinking I was at fault.went as far as taking a reel off another that was known to not twist still had a problem.This $200.00 rod(was a gift)sits on the rack now.

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

Imagine a rod with no guides...you could marblize the entire length of the blank. Don't let Putter get wind of that one!

Jay

I handled the high end ($200 plus dollar) DAiwa Interline surf rods in a sporting goods shop and was impressed with the "feel" of it. The design is elegant but in practice it is a disaster waiting to happen. Grit and seaweed are its downfall. Best for hanging on a wall as a conversation piece.

I was aware of them several years back, but thought about grit and stuff entering the blank and causing problems, so I guess I lost my curiosity. Kinda neat learning about the "inner workings" of this blank today, though. Thanks for the insight on that, Tom & Rich!

Putter, they didn't take off here in Australia for that reason. I think Diawa had big ideas for this style of rod, and as Tom said the theory is there, but what a white elephant. They would make a good tomato stakes though.

THESE RODS GO BACK FARTHER THAN THAT. MY GRANDFATHER LEFT ME A ROD THAT WAS GUIDELESS. IT HAS A CORK HANDLE --- METAL REEL SEAT WITH A FLIP LEVER TO LOCK THE REEL DOWN -- A METAL ROD IN WHICH THE LINE PASSES THROUGH. I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT ANYTHING I CAN OBOUT THIS ROD. THE ONLY THING IT SAYS ON THE REEL SEAT IS W.A. COMPANY -- LOS ANGELAS. I TOOK IT OVER TO BASS PRO AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS PROBABLY MADE IN THE 1930'S OR 1940'S. THAT WAS ALL THEY COULD TELL ME. IF ANYONE KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ROD PLEASE EMAIL ME.