I read some suggestions from an earlier post, but just had a request for a 13 or 14 foot crappie rod. I've seen light salmon and spey rods up to 11.5 feet that will work great if I extend the blank. Any other suggestions? Any 14ft 2-piece 2-8 lb blanks out there I may be overlooking? Anyone build such a rod for "plucking" crappie that can offer general feedback? Seems like it will end up an awfully expensive blank with a ton of guides just for plucking little ol' panfish.

Dick -- What kind of rod do you use to catch all that TN. Country Ham that I hear about you eatin'?? That has to be a pretty darn good rod to do all that!! It ain't just crappie that did it, even though I am sure they helped out. As you know, we are planning an event here in middle TN., next spring, that will involve big time cookouts, fishing, a lot of jaw-jackin', pickin' and grinnin' and last but not least, rod building seminars. A great outdoor experience!! We are looking at late April, early May. Fishing is generally great here in Tennessee, that time of year. More details to follow, as this is in the planning stages. Feel free to contact us, if you would like to know more about this event. It is promised to be one heck of a time!!

Bob McKamey -- Custom Tackle Supply

Bring that 30 lb. class Tn. Country Ham Rod. I got to see that darn thing!! We gonna have a big time!! Ya'll come early and stay late. Show ya'll how the good life is in Tennessee for a few days during the spring.

Bob McK -- Custom Tackle Supply

For that operation, I have not find a better type of blanks than the 4-8lb british match blanks. (3 piece and 12 to 13ft long) To make the blank that much more interesting I have tried many guide setups and finally it hit me that I need to use as small as light as possible but the line need to be close to the rod not away from it to prevent tangling. I strip out those old 4 size high frame match guide and go with 6*6 2*7, 1*8, 1*10 LG Guides and finish it with the older MVSG, and YSG. You cannot get a better crappie rod. If you do not want to go through the trouble in getting those blanks form England, a cheap alternative would be strip out cabela match rod (about 80.00) and modify. I have built a rod like that specially for my good OLD friend in Florida for Big Spots (a pin fish look alike but taste even better steamed Chinese style). Works great and do not cost much!

Good fishing (catching) <*)))))))><{

If he will go back to 13', St. Croix has some we use. G130L2 and G130L3.

Bob McK -- Custom Tackle Supply

I think I'd rather build the country ham rod. Bet there's a hidden market for those. Or maybe not so hidden. It's hard for them folks to hide.