Hi all, Alan here from Washington. Great site. Just built my first rod at Greg's Custom Rods in Silver Lake, WA. Pretty pleased with it. Now I've got the bug! Thanks Greg, I think.

We have a pink salmon (Humpie) run here every two years and this is run year. I was going to practice this new found craft by building several "Humpie Specials" to give away to friends. These guys do the humpie thing with buzz bombs and maybe get out once or twice a year for a little trout action. So I figure almost anything I make up will out perform the Wally World specials they are using now. I am probably looking for 81/2 to 9 ft moderate action spin blanks capable of throwing up to 1 1/2 to 2 oz buzz bombs.

I've been reading through the back pages of the forum (on page 227 now) and have seeen several mentions of building on $5.00 blanks. Looked through most of the sponsors on the left and didn't find anything even close to that price. Five buck blanks would be real nice, I could go 15 to 20, but if I have to spend over 50 for a blank my list of friends is going to get real short...real fast! Anybody have any suggestions on where to look for super prices on that blank? Or should I just bide my time and keep looking for close out sales? In your experience does that type of blank hit the "close out" market often?

Thanks
Alan

I have a few places I'd check if it were me. I would be looking at Batson salmon/steelhead blanks. They come in anything from 4-8 to 12-25.
Check out the Utmost closeouts (RX7 blems for $20-25), call Neil and see what he has going on, look at Schneiders for 2003 Forecast blanks (free shipping deal along with the markdown on the old model blanks this month for $25-30). You might see if a fly rod blank will work for you as well. You should be able to get into something in the $25 and under range as well or even better if you look very hard. I'll bet there are other good sources for discount blanks, but these are the ones I'm familiar with.

Awfully heavy gear for such a little fish, Try the Utmost UTHS1023 for Buzz Bombs. Just tape tested one the other day as a spinning rod for Buzz Bombs.

I'll second what Greg said. 2003 Forecasts are, IMO, an excellent rod for the money. I've done a few of these and was impressed with them. I recently got a bunch more from Neal's Fishing for a very good deal. You can also find some PacBay Tradition blanks for outstanding prices too. I've done a lot of rods on Mudhole specials (unsanded, sanded, finished) and they are very fishable rods too, although I use those for myself, kid rods and "gift" rods that I know will be wall hangers.. I won't stake my reputation on them though as I don't know who makes them, if they are seconds, etc. Very decent blanks can be had in your price range. Check with the sponsors here. They will do you right.

Thanks for the replies. Utmost is right around the corner so I will give them a call and see what I can come up with.
Alan

there is/was a sponsor who offered $5 blanks but i forget where. keep looking, maybe someone will chime in.

eric
fresno, ca.

I have found some from Neal's Fishing