I sent an email to Batson's trying to get an idea of the ideal Salmon blank for my brother with two bad shoulders. Kathy responded and said their one piece IP965 10# -20# blank would be a great choice since it is a moderate action and the bend in the rod with be further bown the blank and easier on the shoulders. The light just went on - duh - makes sense that a rod that bends closer to you hands will be easier to handle compared to one with a faster action that bends closer to the tip.

I'm just wondering how many people really build/use a one piece rod in the 8' range? Thanks.

I meant Karry - not Kathy.

Batson's customer service is second to none!

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

I don't know much about the suitability of an 8-foot rod for your brother's Salmon fishing, but I know what immediately comes to my mind:

Any rod over 7.5 feet may have to be stowed horizontally in many homes because the sheetrock ceiling drops in ~ 4 inches below 8 feet. He may have to store it at an angle that may make the rod subject to being knocked or getting a crook in the tip. Ask him, and see what he says about where & how he stows his rods.

OH! - Will the rod fit in the vehicle on the way to the river?
If it doesn't, the rod is subject to theft if left in the vehicle unattended.
... That's all, -Cliff Hall+++

It's a great idea, remember the more a rod bends the shorter it's effective leverage against the person using it. I've used Loomis, Batson and Lamiglas popping rods for steelhead rods for many years. The only 25 lb plus steelhead of my life was caught on a 4 power Loomis popping rod.

Like Cliff says, make life easyer get a two piece ??

Lamiglas makes some 2 piece livebait blanks that also may work, they use them in some of their finished salmon rods. Angler's Workshop is just about 50 ft from the Lamiglas factory. Between them I bet they can come up with something that meets your needs. Something like the GLB902ML 7 ft 6 in blank may be about right.