I've never used or seen a Dan Croft blank. Why would I choose his blanks over others? Say St. Croix or Loomis or rain shadow?

Steve , do a search of Dan CrAft and see what you come up with . All I can tell you from my experiences with them is that they are a great blank at a VERY reasonable price . I've built 3 for my self and several for others , and had nothing but good results . Have fun , JHD

Got Fish ?

Dan's slim line ferrules (all series?) have to be seen to be believed. If you put guides on the ferrules you would swear your rod was 1 piece. The blanks also tend to overline very well. And then there is the ridiculously low prices.

Steve--it's Craft not Croft as John pointed out (just to be sure you end up with some results on your search!). Dan's blanks really are simply outstanding blanks. While some (many?) might say they are BETTER than the top models of the big brands, I'd describe them as equal in quality and performance but DIFFERENT. The Sig V's are one of the lightest blanks on the market, period, with one of the smoothest and quickest recoveries out there. The blanks just cast themselves. His FT series is gaining cult-like popularity because of it's versatility and incredible (and I mean INCREDIBLE) reserve power in the lower 2/3 of the blank. Some say you need to overline by one or two line weights but this is a very personal and subjective thing...we say Dan's rods ARE rated accurately but they can be overlined and still immensely enjoyed (in other words, the FT in a 905-4 say is actually a very nice rod when fished with 5wt line. It's more of a precise tip-action in close, and just keeps casting with authority when you increase the distances. It also casts 6 and 7 wt line at regular and long distances without feeling the least bit overpowered thanks to Dan's progressive design to the blank). The Sig III's are wonderful, light, fast-action blanks especially renowned in the lighter line weights (1wt - 3wt). The FRSIII8022 is one of my all-time favorite blanks, as is the FRSIII61013, 9032, FRSV8943 and 9053, FT907-4, 1005-4...the list keeps going... :)

Bottom line? Great blanks at great pricing with full warranty and the knowledge the maker of said blanks is a builder committed to the industry and not just a business opportunist.

Hi Steve.

I've bought two blanks from Dan. 5Rivers Sig V and FT - both #5 and 9'.

The Sig V immediately became my favourite. Usually I like fast action (like some Loomis GLX and Sage XP models) rods but this one is a moderate action (based on superbob's ccs-info) but accompanied with an incredible fast recovery. At least that's how it feels like. It is very light in use (swing weight?) - I didn't measure the actual weight. There's plenty of power too if needed. Keeps the fish on well. In my opinion this rod does some stuff well and some stuff amazingly.

The FT is ultra fast action rod. A lot like the Sage TCR I believe (based on reviews and Bill Hanneman's BIG picture measurements). The tip is very soft and the lower parts are stiff. Recovery is fast. This makes it a demanding rod with a #5 line. But you can cast it with the rod - just use enough a compact stroke. Roll casting a #5 is maybe a bit too hard even with a good technique. This could handle larger line weights easily but I think #7 is too much for my fishing and you miss the finesse of this rod by overlining. The swing weight isn't as light as with the Sig V. The FT, imho, is a great over head rod with a #5 and a good allrounder with a #6. I'd say that beginners should leard casting technique with some other rod before getting one of these - it is by no means an easy rod.

The opinions above are just opinions and a apply only to the 9' #5 models. The other models are always different even inside the model series (for example, I dislike the Sage 4100-XP but the 5100-4XP is almost as good as my Sig V, so it is a jewel too).

Does Dan make any Bass blanks, or does he only do Fly rod blanks?

Because the 8'4 Sig V 4 wt is the best blank in the world....

Oh the others are dang close....

I have a 9 ft 7 wt FT waiting to be flex coated right now...cant wait totest drive it.

Oh...and the price is terrific

and Dan is one of the real great guys...

You owe yourself a trial run with one of his blanks!

Prepare to become convinced!

Keith