I am thinking about building an 8 wt for tossing larger flies for bass, pike. Might also try carp on the flats in the bays of lake michigan some day (I keep reading articles about this and how it is more like fishing for bonefish than bonefishing itself is). I currently have a 6 wt factory st. croix premier and want something with more power. What action would be best, what blank? I am leaning towards trying a Dan Craft blank or a St. Croix SCIV in a 9'0" length. Open to other suggestions too.

Dean: I'd look strongly at Dan Craft's FT907-4. It casts an 8wt line wonderfully and has enough reserve power for anything you're likely to encounter. The St. Croix is certainly an excellent blank as well, but doesn't have the reserve power the FT has, IMO.

Thanks for the suggestions John, I was hoping you would chime in. What do you think about a 10' blank?

Dan Craft has some awesome blanks but you will have to wait until he gets
back from vacation. End of this week I think?

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

Oops! Double post--sorry!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/15/2005 11:12PM by John Launstein.

Hi Dean! Personally, I think the 10ft-er FT's are some of the nicest casting (and fishing) fly blanks out there. I like them MUCH more than the 9' models, though a number of those stand out like the 907 and 863. The problem is the FT isn't a really light (in actual "scale" weight) blank, and the 10' models are noticeably heavier than the 9'9" Sig V's (called 10') and the 9' FT's, as is the case with all longer models. If this isn't concerning to you, then I highly recommend them. I'd go with the 1008-4 though as the 10' FT's are VERY accurately rated...they still display incredible reserve power but not at the same staggering level the 9's do. Hope that helps! :) We do have most of Dan's lineup in stock if you're looking to get going on this shortly.

All the best,