I have been wanting to build a jig pole that is 10-12' in length. Its only use would be for fishing small crappie jigs around and in tree tops along the local creek banks. Seems to be hard to find a blank with that length that is strong and light enough to use without buying an expensive fly rod blank. Does anyone know of any blanks ($50.00 or less range) out there that would work. Thanks

I built one on a 9' Forecast Salmon/Steelhead blank that is rated at 4-8 lb. line. It is a great crappie rod and retails for around $30, but you might find some of the 2003 series out there on closeout. The RX7 version comes from 9 to 11 1/2' and is twice the price. Utmost has an 11 1/2' blank on its blem list for $20.

Be really careful about building of these things. Most crappie fisherpeople will stick the thing down in a brush top and jab up and down to get a 20 cent jig free from the sunken limbs. I built about 10 and ate each of them several times until I just could not stand it anymore. The limit on these blanks if you are selling them has to be less than $ 10.00. Good fly rod blanks just will not take the punishment if you are in the business to stay. Search the net for a Salter Jigging Pole and take a look at the end product that will work.

Gon

St. Croix's "noodle rod" is 10'-6" and is an ultra lite with a slow action,,, would be great fun.........(still got to watch the snags!!!!!!!!!!!!!)


Tight lines and smokin' drags............

Art

Chad,
In this area of the country (N. Mississippi) we use a lot of crappie jigging rods. To get the length, toughness and price you want go with a B & M or Bucks crappie rod. You can pick one up at any Wal mart or order them from Bass Pro or Cabelas. Strip them down and rebuild in the style you describe. I have tried to buy blanks direct from B&M In West Point Ms. but they can only furnish whole built rods. I believe they import them from overseas. At any rate they are made for the rigors of crappie jigging as Bill says people will stick them into any thing they are hung up on. I have built an 11 ft rod with cork handle and spinning reel seat and spinning eyes, have used it for 10 years and put it through about all the hazzards of the Tombigbee river and it is still going strong. Good luck.