I have an idea for a project and I'd like to get some feedback.

I'd like to build a 3 piece spiral baitcasting rod, 8 ft. to 8 1/2 ft., for casting 3/8 - 5/8 oz. wobbling plugs from shore for steelhead. The type of blank I have in mind is a light weight, hot shot taper blank. Portability is an issue here, so that's why I'd like it to be a 3 piece. In addition, I'd also like to buy a duplicate middle section of the blank. I'd set it up as a butt section for a 5' 6'' to 5'8'' ultralight spinning rod, to be used with the same tip section. In this configuration, I'd drop the butt section of the 3 piece rod.

Cost saving isn't a major factor for this idea. Since I'm planning to build the two rods I've mentioned in any case, I was just curious to know if I could eliminate a tip section and still build two good rods.

Is this project feasible? Has anyone tried it? Are there are sponsors who would provide such a 3 piece blank with 2 identical middle sections? Are there warranty issues to consider?

I'm unsure if Dan Craft makes casting blanks, or whether any of his fly blanks would work for my purpose. I'll also consider approaching CTS Rod Blanks and Graphite USA, but I'd welcome your input first.

Thanks,
Eric Lee

IMO, the biggest flaw in your proposal is the assumption that the tip section would somehow lighten up for use as an UL spinning rod. If it cast 5/8 oz plug well, it would also want a 5/8 oz. spoon. In other words your project would work if both the casting rod and spinning rod are throwing the same weight lure. Dan Craft might sell you the extra section. But for the cost, I would build two rods. The best scenario for a convertible is fly to spin, where only the grip must be re-configured, without the need for the extra section.

Don, from my limited experience with hot shot blanks, they appear to have a very fast taper. The butt section on my father's 2 piece 7'9'' GL4 is about .550, but the tip is only a size 3.5. I think Loomis described it as Mag-Light. The tip section is very light, although in this case, I'm talking about only the top half, not the top two-thirds of the rod.

The only 3 piece hot shot rod I know about offhand is the GLX 7'6'' (HS 9000-3), which I believe is similar. If anybody's familiar with this rod, do the top two sections feel comparable to a 5' ultralight?

We might want Tom K. to weigh in on this one, but if a 3 piece blank throws a heavy weight, is it able to do so due to the diameter and taper of the butt section? If a heavy lure is needed to bend the tip section, I would think the same weight is needed even if you drop the butt. The shorter rod may be more parabolic, but that does not mean that the tip lightens up.

I forgot to mention that I intend to use the shorter rod for casting 1/8 oz. jigs using 4-6 lb. monofilament. For the baitcasting outfit, I would use 10 lb. mono.

You could sure build two rods that way, one would be good but the other might have some problems I think. You'd be ahead of the game to get the Hot Shot blank you want and make it a three piece. Lots of info available on how to make ferrules. For the spinner, I think you'll end up not with an ultra light, but rather a part of a Hot Shot. As long as you are considering this a project, why not just get some inexpensive blanks and try it?

The GLX HSR 9000 can only be had as a built rod, it is stiffer in the tip than the GL3 blanks, looks like it's stiffer than the GL4 you mentioned as the tip is a 4.5 I believe. I would not rate it anywhere near an ultralight in the tip.