I gather that the two are not the same. What characteristics make a blank good for one or the other? How do these blanks work for light inshore/surf action with light lures and bait?

You might find some help in the Glossary page here.

For inshore plugging I tend to prefer something along the lines of a longer fast action bass rod.

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The major difference is length. Most bobber'n jig rods are 9 1/2' spinning like the Rainshadow 1143. I have one each 1143 spinning and casting, the caster has a Curado on it.

Most drift rods are 8 1/2' casting rods. The extra length for the bobber rod is needed to keep the line off the water so that you get the best drift. Either can be used for either type fishing but they shine at their own specialties.

What we call a "float rod" here in steelhead alley of the Great Lakes Region of Ohio, is usually quite a bit longer than what Steven suggested. Although our territory might be quite different. When trotting along a float (bobber) on a mid to small sized river, we tend to use rods in the 10-15' range. Based on preference, rods will vary from whippy like a wet noodle (thus the name noodle rod) to those with a little more back bone, but nothing like a surf rod in my experience.

I have three "go to rods" that I float fish with using a centerpin reel. One: factory bought 3PC Raven IM7 13'6" that has the most back bone of the bunch, Two: A Cascade Composite IST1382F 11'6" 2PC 4-8# light action wetter than a wet noodle, noodle rod (summer smallies and catfish). Three: A H&H (Cascade/Rainshadow private label) 6Wt 10'6" made into a 11' fly rod built over to a Float rod. This 6Wt is for smaller creeks and has more back bone than the IST.

The point is, the longer the rod, the less line on the water, the less drag on the float and the offering, the more natural the drift, the more fish you catch! (well that is the hopes anyway)

Domenic Federico

So do I understand correctly that in float and drift fishing, you are not really doing a lot of casting so much as you are paying out line and maintaining the proper drift?

We are fishing the Pacific Northwest. We find rods longer than 9'6" to be cumbersome on the trails used to access much of the steelhead water. Even 9'6" is a major pain at times. No fun in the jungles.

There is a lot of casting involved in both drift and bobber'n jig fishing. Cast approx 45 degrees upstream and drift as far as you can effectively fish, depending on conditions. The bobber'n jig rod needs to be able to cast a very light weight, hence the spinning reels or very light spool casting reels like the Curado BSF. A sensitive rod is required for drift fishing but not nearly as importatn in float fishing because the strike is indicated by the bobber.

I think a HS 1021 or 1023 might be a nice blank for your application, I'd pick which one by the line and weight/bait your throwing. They are a faster actioned blank much like Tom described. Light, pleasant rods for the power they possess. Kind of like a faster tipped livebait blank in many ways.