Hello al you helpfull rodbuilders.

I would like to build 2 rods for Zander (European cousin of the Walleye) and Eal fishing. I use a small sinker ( no more than 30 grams, 1 oz.) and a big worm, piece of fish or a complete fish for bait, I do not use (arteficial) lures. Once the bait has been cast I wait for my float to go under or for my tiptop to give the signals indicating that a fish has found my bait.

I have 2 good rods which are both 9'10" long, 2-piece, 10 years old but with different characteristics:
rod A has an ERN of 9.27; an AA of 67; 5.0 tip- and .430 buttsize, rod B has an ERN of 11.05; an AA of 75; 5.0 tip- and .590 buttsize both have a casting weight of 10 -30 grams (1/3 to 1 oz?) and to be used with 0.18 mm monofilament line (8 lbs?)

My problem is that rod A is my favourite because it is light (5.2 oz.) and has a very fast response/recovery time, rod B feels like it is made of rubber (a real wobbler) is a better caster but is very heavy (7.1 oz.).
Rod B is forgiving, you can cast heavier weights without a problem but is absolutely not sensitive! Rod A "tells" me everything that lies on the bottom or what kind of fish is on the other end of the line.
Am I right if I say that the modulus of a blank creates the sensitivity? Because I think that rod A has a higher modulus than rod B.

Someone has told me that rod A was made from a 8 weight fly blank with a moderate action, is this possible on factory rods? I can't ask the factory because it does not exist anymore.

I have bought a cascade composites IF1009 blank as a try-out and it is very much like the blank from rod A, but with a slower action (AA = 59) and the ERN is also a little smaller (8.95) but it does "feel" right.
Can I use the IF1009 from cascade composites (rainshadow) to build a spinning rod, if not does anyone know a 2-piece blank that has an ERN of 9 to 10; an AA of 59 to 70; tipsize around 4 to 5.5; butt diameter no bigger than .500; 9'6" to 10' length and preferebly not heavier than 2.5 - 3 oz.

Yes I want to build a replica of rod A but a little heavier in casting weight and I would like to make it lighter (4-5 oz. possible) compared to rod A and if possible even more sensitive.

I have been looking at steelhead blanks but I do nut trust the factory data, I wish everyone would use the CC system.

Thanks in advance for everyones effort, I know you think that Europeans need to learn how to catch a fish but this is the way I love to do it.

Guido Engels

Guido,go to the CCS site in the upper left. There you should find your information. Good Luck. Ralph

If at first you don't succeed, go fishing, then try, try again.