Hi all,

I wondered if anyone could offer suggestions for a good rod blank for a flippin' stick. I'm trying to build myself a good rod, but I don't really want to spend more than $120 on a blank. I've shopped around, and I am leaning towards either a 7.5 foot blank from United Rods (Hastings) or an 7.5 foot RX7 blank from Batson. Both seem to be one-piece rods, which is my preference.

My secondary concern (after price) is finding an extremely powerful blank--I deal with a lot of hydrilla and other submerged grass in the summer, and I need a rod powerful enough to routinely pitch and flip lures over 1.5 oz and rip them free of the grass. Therefore, I was leaning towards the extra-heavy Batson blank.

Any advice?

Adam Stewart

Adam:
Even though it's a little above your price rang I would suggest
St. Criox -AC710HF -7'10" long Heavy Fast action. it handles lures up to 2oz. Even though it is extneded handle which is not your specific request. It only wieghs in at 2.1oz. you could glue the handle in place. The extra 4 inches in length will also give you a little more lifting power ofor getting them out of that grass. You could also cut 4" off the butt section which would lighten it up a little if you want. It list for $132.00 on the St Croix site, but if you talk with the people at Bingham Ent. on the right. They might save you a little money

Adam, might want to look at a Shikari SHII flip blank in a "6" power. They have both 7'6" and 8' one piece blanks - 3/8 - 11/2. I have one in the "4" power and like it a lot. Price wise $86 - 95 for the 6 power. The SHII is a very tough blank and would be good for ripping through the grass!

The Rainshadows are nice blanks, Batson also makes an exposed blank casting reelseat that will fit that blank. #GTB17-C if I remember right. Comes in different hood colors.

Get the 7'10" St croix. I use one and it's perfect for pitching to those hydrilla beds. They're somewhat light too around 3.5oz. They also have a 7'3" ex heavy which is awesome if youre going to be pitching a little longer in distance. I use the 7'3" for pitching in clearer water just so I have more control on those long pitches. Andy Dear also has All-Star blanks and I love the 6'10" bast827. It's a titanium blank that is a 7 power which is perfect if you are gioing to be long range pitching, and casting. The price is right too at around $15. for a super powerful blank that retails for around $100. The only downfall is that they are all 1+.

A suggestion on the length would be to shorten it up to 7'0" unless you plan to actually use it for flipping. Most guys are using the 7'6" rods for pitching even though they're called flipping sticks. I think the main reason guys are doing that is because they are a higher powered rod. But there's no real reason to have a rod that long for pitching. I'd check with Andy Dear. He was quoting me $35 on the best of the All Star blanks that are discontinued models. These would rock your socks off. I guarantee it.

AC
FishinFreaks
Rogers, MN

Try the Rainshadow IMB 845. After you have pulled all the hydrilla in your state you can take it offshore and wear out the blackfin! With the change you will have left you will have a deposit on a charter.

Gon Fishn

I'll check out these suggestions--I must have missed that long St. Croix rod. I initially considered a 7 foot rod, because I primarily pitch anyway--but the reason I pitch is that I don't have a suitable flipping stick. Batson seems to have a reputation for good products at a reasonable price, so I will probably go in that direction, in the end.

Thanks,

Adam

shikari FS764! good luck.