Gentlemen,
I'll try to be concise. I own a 4wt and 6wt that covers essentially everything I have need of living here in E TN. This will go horribly wrong someday and I'll need at least 8 rods but for now I'm covered, MOSTLY. I have a need for an "everything else" rod. I want to build this rod. "Everything else" is defined as traveling (multi-piece mandatory) to visit my cousin in TX and the large bass/Christmas Bay reds/Gulf goings on found there and, perhaps, pursue some of the oversize Browns found in the trophy stretch of water below Norris dam. I am a "proficient" caster, not expert. Lefty and others of his ilk are role models, not peers. This will be a work rod, performance at reasonable cost trumps any and all cosmetic considerations. Ok, that's the background. After much reading my opening blank suggestion is the Dan Craft FT 10' 10wt. It's pricier than some, much less than others and highly regarded. Appropriate? That I'll leave to you. Once we decide on the proper blank we can just look for "most for the least" in reel seats, guides, cork etc. Any books/vids that are highly thought of for beginners would be nice. After that, feel free to suggest anything else from best line for the above applications to an adequate reel for a fair price. (I am leaning a bit towards Okuma's Integrity on that last bit) Fellas, I am your clay, mold me.

Best Regards,
Shawn

I'd take a real look at the FT 8 wt, it CCs out as 10 wt and will throw 8-10 wt lines, would be much easier to throw all day. I'd look at the American Tackle Titans for corrosion resistance in the salt and light weight. Best cost/performance reelseat in the salt is the 16mm spinning type reelseat. American Tackle and Pac Bay make them with Ti hoods. Cork of your choice, thread, epoxy, and your done for about $200.

Shawn,
I'd consider an 8wt. over the 10. My 9' 8wt is a very powerful rod that i think will handle everything you mentioned, though I can't speak for any differences between the 9' and 10'. For the fish you are going after, I think the 10wt. is overkill. You can't go wrong with the FT, fabulous performance at a great price! Happy building,

Peter

Thanks guys, I actually got an email from Dan that pretty much mirrored yours. (I knew you guys knew what you were talking about) 2 questions. I'm concerned if the 908-4 FT might be TOO fast. CC and AA numbers that make TCR's nervous 'tis said. I'm not scared but is this thing really an "expert only" stick? A Sig V might be better suited? On the other hand I'm sure it'd throw a mean 9wt. Anyway, any other hardware advice? Best resource? And I could REALLY use some good "how to" materials.

Get a copy of Tom Kirkman's book. There are lots of DVD's available: Doc SKi and Ken Preston to name just two.

Shawn,
I too was worried about the 908 being too fast as I am anything but an expert caster. Don't worry. I am able to cast nice tight loops at a good distance without trouble. I'm sure that if I were a better caster I would get more out of the rod. Go for the FT. You won't be disappointed.
Peter