Looking for advice on a blank for throwing spoons & rattle traps from piers. Apologies if you feel this has been beaten to death, but I think I have a twist or too to make it different. Out here in Chicago, it's hard to get the basic info that some of you take for granted so I hope you forgive me for the parts that you feel are covered in other posts.

The rod will be likely be a spinning rod, reel will probably be some sort of shimano 4000 series or similar size (200yds of 10lb). could do casting if you all strongly recommend it.

rod should throw 1/2-3/4 oz lures.

Want to use 8-12 lb test (could push down to 6)

I think I want to be 8 1/2 ft length. (am I too short?)

that's the easy part and maybe you will all tell me to stop there cause the rest is a pipe dream.

would like to be able to use the rod occassionly with skein and float.

now the harder part...would also like to take this rod traveling and occassionaly throw larger lures from jetties or the beach. expect these to top out at 1 to 2oz. but the travel part -> 3 or 4 piece seems really hard.

What do you all think? what do you recommend?

thx all
jayw

Jay,

I'm from Chicago and feel your pain about the piers... i took a class specifically for my steelhead rod. Give Tom Cooney a call at 708-534-8203, he lives off of 57 and Manhatton-Monee road. He gave me a 9 foot Rainshadow blank that is absolutely perfect and casts a country mile. It's 2 pieces, so alil bigger than you want, but worth it. Tell him I sent you and ask him what the model was that he gave me from my rodbuilding class... I'd look it up myself, however I don't have those records anywhere I can get to right now.

Regards,
Joe

Hi Jay
Check out the Rainshadow 1021, G.Loomis 1025, or a Pac-Bay 1024.
All are exelent blanks for what you are discribing and are 8'6" 2pc.
The loomis is a bit pricy unless you can get a GL2 but the GL2 is not
made anymore I think. I have built on all 3. The Rainshadow is a bit
heavier but light and sensitive and would be my first choice!

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

Look at the HS 1021 Rainshadow blank. Light extra fast tip, throws light and heavier weights well, light geneal weight blank, with lots of backbone.
Has been used for pier fishing for many years, no bad as a drift/float rod, just stay away from the 6 lb test if you want to beach that fish.

im in michigan most of the customers that do that here found an 8ft to 8''6 to be sufficiant guide placement on the rod will pay the biggest role <imo> check toms article out on static guide placement in the library that might help also....ive been using an 8''6 st.croix sc3 with 10lb and couldent be more happy performed good... i had a customer insist on a 9''6 cam back a week later ordered a 8 foot the st.croix im talkin about is the 3s86mhf2 one beefy blank if you like the st.croix just a suggestion though tight wraps......

Batson / Rainshadow HS1021F specs:
8'6" , 2pc, 10-20lb test, 3/8 - 3 oz lure wt, Butt = .595, Tip 4.5, Action = Fast, Power = Med/Lt, Blank wt = 2.92 oz.
If you have any other questions please feel free to contact us or one of our many Authorized distributors.
Thank you all for your support.
Bill Batson..
CEO
Batson Enterprises
Rainshadow/Forecast
877-875-2381

Give Dan Craft a call....

His FT's at 4 pc rods...generally 9 ft...but would fit your need and he could tell you which blank would be just right.

The Sig. V's are 3 pc rods...would work, too.

These are tremendous blanks...in both cases.

Keith

I have one of Dan's FT 8 wts here that I'm making a travel drift rod out of. Have the handle on and the ferrules wrapped and it's not going to handle 2 oz, not sure I'd sling 3/4 oz with it, my Sig V 10 wt wouldn't like it either I believe. The Hot Shot blank was designed for giving maximum action to plugs and spoons due to the light tip, and I have seen to many guys spanked by hot shot rods compared to their drift rod pulling plugs not to believe it. They are designed to have the backbone to handle big fish in fast current without tearing out the treble hooks. They were never originally designed to cast with but some of them are cannons. And lots of them are used for drift fishing for Chinook salmon or for steelhead in large rivers. Have used them on stripers and hybrids from boat or jetty and on the flats in Florida and the heavier versions for fishing artifical reefs.He's asking a lot from one rod, I can't think of a more sensitive, balanced, yet powerful blank to do it with than a hot shot blank. No trying to preach, but once you build a few you won't believe the stuff you'll find they can do well.