I was asked by a friend what a good two piece blank would be for 8 n Bait...................... He wants to be able to travel with it.
When it comes to surf blanks I shy away from 2 pc blanks(just a personal preference) so I didnt have an answer for him........

Any thoughts?

Preferably a graphite blank without too high of a price tag...


Thanks


Russ

Russ:

I had a customer ask the same question and here is the information that I found. There are quite a few one piece surf rods that will handle 8 and bait. There are only a few two piece rods with the same capability. Some of the best are made by Lamiglas, Graphite USA and Purglass. (There are others, too.) Lamiglas makes one and two piece surf rods in Washington state. Graphite USA and Purglas make one and two piece surf rods, but will make three piece rods on special order. With Graphite USA planning a move out of California, any special orders for them may be delayed quite a while. Purglass is a South African company with a very good product. It takes a special order to get a three piece rod, but it can be done through Mudhole. Try them on this. It is expensive and does take time to get, but should be worth both the wait and cost.

I just wish that other companies made at least one of their surf rods that would travel easily. I suspect that the major reason is that the stress of casting 8 ounces of weight plus bait limits the number, size and style of ferrules in use. Most US manufacturers use tip over butt. Purglass uses a spigot-style ferrule and claims that it provides the strength necessary for their conditions in South Africa - where they have to throw beyond the heavy surf line.

Doug Weber
Weber Rod Works

I use two piece surf graphite blanks exclusivly (I live in NYC and All rods need to fit in the elevator)!
I sling 8'n bait with them all the time....NO PROBLEMS!
I use the Lamiglas GSB surf series (My favorite is a GSB1362MH rated 6-16).
I highly recommend any blank from this series BUT.......They are gonna cost you.
Actually-I have found that "GOOD" two piece surf blanks- cost much more than any of their
one piece counterparts.....If you find a good one for under $200 PLEASE let me know?!
Good Luck,
-eric

What lenth rod does he want? When You hear 8 'n' Bait you think mostly of the Outer Banks, (Hatteras) North Carolina. The Strong Currents and Far Out fish pretty much require 12' capable of handling 8-12oz of lead and a 2or 3 oz peice of bait. There is the all star 1508 and 1509, the lami-1502, or the rainshadow s in the same numbers (1502,08,09) The 1508-1509 are 2peice/one peice meaing the tip section is like 8or 9 foot and the butt is about 3'or4' . The 1509 is pretty much the rod most capable of throwing a cynder block, but is also a little tip heavy by most acounts, and hard to load with 6-8 for some. The 1508 is a little lighter still 2pc/1pc but more in the range of 6-10oz and bait. the Lami 1502 has an equal lenth tip and butt section. A little slower action and a little easier to load and cast than the 1509, but maybe not as much stored power. The Batson rainshadows are real nice, as well as the cascade. I am not sure about other lenths but I would chech out hatteras outfitters, web site as well as Giving hatteras Jack a call He is a good guy to deal with and can get some of the older blanks that are hard to find as well as any high end ziplex or conoflex rods. Run a search on this great rod building phorum or stripers online for more opinions.

Well...

Loomis su1448, awesome 2pc 8^bait rod

Lamiglass has several, 1362, 1502,

Purglass 400-3, 400-4

Rainshadow 1508, 1509

All star had an awesome series...

Several friends have the Rainshadow 1509 great rod, too much for my surgically repaired shoulder., some have the purglass, same result.

The Lami 1362, or 1361 (1 piece same rod) are great rods, you cannot go wrong there either.

My preference is the Loomis 1448, the thing is soo light it is unreal. I gained 30+ yards going from Oceanmaster (Bass pro shelf brand) to the loomis...

Built my 1448 with alconites, fuji seat, underwrap / overwrap, and 9 guides. Average well over 110 yds with 8^bait... some casts, (when I hit it) are flat scary.

Good Luck !!

All-time favorite off my lathe was the Allstar 1509-2 for heavy payloads - the blank was a monster to load up and cast, but handled "8-n-bait" with ease. The lighter 1508-2 was also a favorite.

Yeah Tommy!!! My personal favorite heaver is a one piece lami, the 1362 - makes a beautiful rod. Light in weight, slow action (great for my beat up ol body), heavy payload rod. Have spanked may red drum on that rod. I have 2-3 spare blanks of this Lami blank in storage for later use should I need one....

Lou

Thanks for the info guys...................He is currently using a factory Tica to get the job done?

I will do more investigating into the blanks you all mentioned...................

If he likes the Tica the Loomis is very similar. Tommy and Lou pretty much covered the bases.

Just when you think you have things under control someone comes along looking for a rod that your not used to building..........................Thats why no matter how long you have been building or how many rods you have built there is always more to learn!!!!!

Are the Loomis surf blanks as crooked as the bass blanks? LOL......................