I need some blank suggestions for a grouper rod blank and guides. I would guess line weight between 40 to 60 lbs. This will be my first saltwater rod and Im building it for a friend. Thanks.

Lots of options here, Donnie. Take a look at this Post & Replies, which has several specific recommendations for rod blanks & discussion of other considerations. It sounds like this will be strictly a sinker-bouncing stick - no trolling plugs and no light jig tossing. -Cliff Hall-.

Grouper rod Author: Clyde Roberts Date: 09-08-04 21:40
[www.rodbuilding.org]
Well I did a search and it seems that everybody has a different opinion on a good grouper blank. .. Definately spiral wrapped, I sold him completely on that. He wants a relatively light tip for bite detection, but plenty of backbone. ... Any suggestions on blanks?

Thanks Cliff. Im only 2.5 hours north of you on I-75. We go to Appalachicola, mainly to flats fish. Tell me more about the turbo guides.

Although I din't have first hand knowledge, I will soon. I purchased GUSA blanks for just that purpose. Have a few options, but first attempt will be on the SW70H with ICMNSG or HNSG guides wrapped spiral. Hoping the slightly unique action of the GUSA blanks will be what I like. An other option is the Calstar Graphiter 700M with same guide sets. The glass may allow the Calstar to give just a bit more then the graphite when the fish lunges back to it's hole, but won't know until I build the GUSA. I am not familiar with flats fishing for them, so that could warrant a different set up all together. I fish for them in 85 to 125 foot of water with live bait on coat hanger rigs or using 3-5oz. bucktails tipped with live bait. Blacks to 30lbs and Red Snapper to 20lb. are common.