I am trying to figure out what blank I should use for a realy heavy stand up rod. The reel is an Avet T-Rex Wide. ( 100 lbs of drag). This set up will be used for very large sharks here in the gulf. We will be tagging these sharks so we need to get them to the boat fast. I am looking at using a short bent UB2 storabutt. As for the blank I was thinking about a Calstar T655XXH or T655TSS or RT130 Any suggetions would be great. Also I would like to hear your input concerning guides (roller) and placement.



Thanks

My choice would be the Baja Boomer, T6455XXH or like you say the TSS. I usually use Aftco SHDs. Placement would depend on whether you cut the rod or not.

Thanks for the Reply. The lenght will be Five foot or shorter. I am looking at 4 foot 10 inches over all ( Straight Line) I am still looking into what to take off the top and botem. as for guides Aftco big foots or the Alutecnos Type 3 80/130.

70% butt-30% tip, thats what i cut my last one at

Here is a thread from a West Coast rodbuilding board which happens to sow a Gulf Coast bent butt heavy stand up rod. He is using AA @#$%& Spiral Acid Rollers and a Calstar GF7455XXH cut to 4'9"
[www.allcoastsportfishing.com]

If you're not stuck on a bent butt, then do a blank-through-butt style with an 8" plastic sleave. I would not recomend a straight unibutt for 'real', heavy stand-up fishing. The straight unibutts are too long whereas the 8" slick butt will put your reel closer to the gimble/pivot point.

The Baja Boomer is a good blank as are the Grafighters in 755xxh & 7455xxh. For a through-the-butt configuration I'd cut approximately 5 inches off the butt and 2 inches from the tip give or take a 1/2 inch in either direction. For the bent unibutt you'd probably be looking at 2-3 inches from the tip and the remainder from the butt to give you your overall desired length.

Chances are you'll be looking at 4 guides. Like Doc said, look into the AFTCO SHDs. Something like a 52, 42, 32, 32, plus tip. If you're using a 12" or a 14" grip you'll be putting the 52 almost right up against it. I recomend no more than a 12" grip as you'll be using a harness for this type fishing and won't be touching the grip during the fight anyway.

WARNING: For your safety (and unsuspecting anglers) don't go out with that T-RX and think you'll be able to push it up to 100# of drag while standing up...it just isn't going to happen. Even for VERY experienced stand-up fishermen 60# is usually 'close' to their limit. Someone like Dennis Braid may venture over the 60# mark, but it's not for everyone. I personally don't like to stand up with more than 50#...40-45# is even too much at times. These are 'real' drag pressures and can be extremely dangerous. Best of luck.

Jay

I was fortunate to get into the West Coast big tuna bite in December and really pull on my gear. The 6455XXH is just too soft for >30# of drag. I broke a 655TSS which was old and maybe took a bump at one time, a bit softer than the Boomer, but not much. I like the Baja Boomer which handles 40+# of drag with more to spare.
I don't know about the 7455XXH, but it should have more shut off than the 755XXH. These graphite rods may provide the greatest amount of pulling power.
The only IGFA rated rod (like the 130) I've used, bent more parabolic, like the 655 series.

As far as the short bent butt, I have been told that the bent butt puts more pressure on the fish and less on the angler because of the angle of the rod. It also helps the angler by putting him/her within easy reach of the reel. Don't know myself and haven't yet built one. . .