I guess I failed that test the first few times :)

Anyhow, I’m looking for suggestion for a pair of blanks to be used in the Chesapeake for trolling.

The first is a replacement for a pair Penn Senator 30-50 ARS which are used to pull mojos and large umbrellas using #40 monel on the gunnels. The Penns work well but I’m hoping to reduce the weight of the blank and get a little better feel in the rod.

The second rod is a 6 footer that will be used to pull tandem rigs and smaller umbrellas off planer boards. I’m currently using #30 solid glass blanks and they work well for me but the sensitivity is lacking. On the other hand, I have a few rods built on a “heavy” #20 tubular blank that has the sensitivity I desire and pull a tandem rig quite nicely but are a tad bit weak when push comes to shove.

I guess what I’m really looking for a ‘tweener” rod. Something with the back bone of a #30 solid glass and the sensitivity of a tubular blank.

My preference is for a moderate to moderate-fast action leaning toward the mod-fast if anything and would like to stay right around 6’ if at all possible.
Any input one my have would be much appreciated.

Hi Clyde,
I build several of these each year for charter and private fishermen in the mid and upper bay (Chesapeake Beach, Deale, Solomons Island). The blanks that I find most suitable are CalStar 660MH for the first rod that you're looking at or PacBay 20 & 30lb XRT series regulation trolling rods. Personally I think the 30's are overkill. For the second rods I have no doubt that the CalStar 660M's are the way to go. They're good in the spring season for the "cows" and will also pull nice double bucks through the smaller fish summer days - for Spanish macks and blues (assuming we have any this year). The CalStars look "whimpy" or "whippy" but they're plenty tough in the butt section and are a forgiving fiberglas blend. I team the rods with Stuart Tuff Butt aluminium tube/reel seats and slick butts (the whole setup) and American Tackle boat rod guides. They turn out to be a very nice pairing that won't have you looking for a second mortgage. If you want to go a little further you can sub in an All American black/gold roller for the first guide / American Tackle black/gold boat rod guides / All American roller tip and come away with a 5 guide finished rod.

Clyde,
I'm working on a donation rod for the Maryland Saltwater Fisherman's Association right now built on a PacBay XRT 20 that will be at the fishing show in Upper Marlboro this weekend and I'll have a CalStar there at my booth as well if you're thinking about going to the show you can see the rods there --- Or just stop by and chat with Jesse Buky and I.

Seeker BT-20. It has a #20 tip and a #30 butt section. Trim material off the butt to your desired length. Ed

Clyde, the Forecast trolling rod blanks will do what you want . We are in Va. about 65 miles from the Chesapeake Bay and we sell a lot of these blanks for that use . We also have many custom trolling rods out there built with these blanks and have had nothing but positive feedback . We have the blanks on our website Fishsticks4u.com and we are also on the sponsor list. If you have any questions call Ray at 804-966-7577 , he is a licensed Capt . and is a very good resource when it comes to salt water fishing.We will be glad to help anyway we can. Robert

I agree on the Calstar recommendation. The rods I have built using Calstar blanks have been holding up nicely.

What puzzles me is why you're looking for sensitivity from a rod that is pulling heavy mojos and umbrellas, and is usually fished from the gunnels in a rod holder - hardly the place for a rod considered sensitive. Mojos I use are 28oz plus, plus termial tackle, and trailing lure. Umbrella rigs place a similar heavy drag on the gear. Physically holding a rod being fished like this will wear you out within minutes, sensitivity becomes irrelevant.

Lou

Lou,
For Mojo's and the heavy work I agree but I hope to use these rods in other applications also. We do a fair amount of deep water jigging using 16-20 oz. so it would be nice if the rods had a pretty decent “feel” to them.

Ken,
Thanks for the invite but I’m off to HI this weekend to chase the striped ones. Maybe I’ll catch up with you when I get back in town

Clyde --- Man, that breaks my heart. Cold front moving through, nasty & overcast with bad wx fore cast and you HAVE to go fishing in Hawaii... What a bummer. May the seas be smooth and the fish many

It hurts my back thinking about checking umbrella rigs every 45 minutes by hauling them in with a fast action 6' rod. I've hauled many, and I would never make myself a rod over 5' long. I have made a lot of rods for Chesapeake trolling on the Lamiglas BBT857S and Seeker SM30 and SM50, all cut to 5' or so. Save your money on blanks for a nice bunker spoon or unweighted parachute rig rod. Lets be honest- you can't "feel" anything except huge head shakes on the end of umbrella rigs and giant double bucktails.

Both Seekers and the Lami can do double duty on tuna chunking later in the year, and there again you will be thankful for a shorter rod. And there was never a better place for a spiral wrap than in this situation!

Hey All,

I am looking for someone to build me a couple "Spoonplugger" trolling rods similar to the
ones Buck Perry used to sell. 5' or shorter for fresh water trolling (Muskie, Pike, Bass, etc.)
Any suggestions?

Thanks,

John Kroemer