Friend wants to build himself a 6'6" baitcasting rod for casting 1/2 ounce spinner baits. Target species would be large northern pike and smallmouth bass with the frequent incounter with muskies.

He has pleny of musky rods which are all rated too heavy for throwing these types of baits. He would prefer not to spend a lot of money for high modulus as bite detection should not be a problem. However, I have reminded him that sensitivity will also help in feeling if the spinnerbait is fouled, it he if hitting structure etc.

Any suggestions on blank makes and models that you have experience with would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Buzz
“Fishermen are born honest. But they get over it.” – Humorist Ed Zern, 1944.

Isn't that quite a spead in fish sizes and dispositions for one rod? Which is the primary species?

Try to find an average weight of the fish he is after, line he uses. Action he likes. It does not " have to " be a cast blank. Look at the batson bass and spin multi-purpose blanks Even the St Croix.

Yes Spencer it is a wide range in species. I advised him of the trouble of trying to build an "all in one" type rod so we concentrated on the lure size and left the size of the fish he was going to land, up to the fish. The problem is the lakes he fishes around his cabin have all of those species depending on the lake. (Muskie and northern pike don't always get along very well)

Buzz,
My own personal pick would be the discountinued Lamiglas XS78M that Mudhole has. A nice, light durable composite blank that I think would work well would be the CB66MH Rainshadow, another blank that I think would make a nice, fun rod would be the St Croix 3C66MHM. This group would give him a rod that he could spead out his lure selection with including treble hook lures, and still have fun with the smallies. Work ok on the others as long as they don't get in the weeds with a short wire leader.

Thanks for the choices. I will forward him the info and then we can start building!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You might want to check with Andy Dear to see if he has any of the Allstar titanium spinnerbait blanks. They are priced right and do an awesome job of exactly what your looking for!

I have to go with Spencer on this one. I really, really like my 3C70MHM, and I would assume that the 3C66MHM is quite similar. I love it for the big 1/2 oz. spinnerbaits.

Now, if he did hang a big pike or musky on it, all bets are off. He'd have to get lucky. But, it's a really nice blank.