My son just underwent knee surgery and will be laid up for awhile. It looks like he might make the last 1/2 of the baseball and track season though. Until then we might be able to do a little more bass fishing so he asked me to make him a new rod. I've got a 6'6" Loomis GL3, a 7' Loomis IMX, 2 7' Rogues (1spin-1cast). He wants a 7' spinning rod. For the places we fish a medium power should do the trick. I'm looking for suggestions. He wants a faster action with some versatility. He likes to throw 1/4 to 1/2 oz. spinner baits (mostly 3/8 oz.) a lot and he also likes to fish Senkos and jigs with a little worming thrown in. All the rods I have are pretty sensitive and I know he likes them. I'm open to all suggestions and experiences. I don't want to spring for a GLX or IMX unless a substitute could be found for less $$$. I'll probably go with Alconites in the new concept configuration. Thanks for any suggestions anyone might have.
Ron Greenbank

I'm not sure if you mean you have those blanks to choose from or that is just an idea of what you think you might want...

I would suggest looking into St.Croix SCV blanks but the price is about the same as IMX (but most feel it's a better rod than IMX) I just built a St.Croix SCIII spinning rod that is a great one. (actually built it on a ML casting blank) They have an SCII that fits your need (also listed as a casting blank) 2C70MLF it's 7' #8-14 line, 3/16 - 5/8oz Fast action and the blank only weighs 1.9 oz., $52.00 retail. Or a SCIII spinning blank 3S70MF it's 7' #6-12 line, 3/16 - 5/8 oz, Fast action, weight 2.2oz, $76.00 retail. The SCV 7' spinning blank is $126.00 retail.

I've been super impressed with St.Croix and until a few months ago I have primarily used Loomis rods for the past 10-15 years.

I'm still a new builder so I can't offer much in the way of guide advice.

Good luck!

I think Keith's suggestions are good choices. As the price of the St Croix goes up so does the quality, and the weight of the blank goes down They are some of the lightest most sensitive blanks on the market. Even their mid priced blank is excellent.

Don't link price with quality. Performance certainly does increase as you climb the modulus/price ladder but great quality can be had in many lower priced blanks. There are almost too many to choose from - Lamiglas, Shikari, St. Croix, Rainshadow, Matrix, Pac Bay, etc., etc., all make really nice bass rod blanks that can be hand for very little money; often under $50.

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Keith, Sorry I wasn't more clear. Those rods I described are ones that I'm using now. He uses them also.

Ron

I don't think I would want to have a bass rod arsenal any longer that doesn't have a blank with the characteristics of the St Croix 3,4, or 5C68MXF or the Rainshadow ISB822.5F blank. They are very similar, versatile in the areas you mentioned, and just a lot of fun to fish with in either casting or spinning configurations.

Tom, Thanks for the suggestions. I will probably be using a series 15 or 20 spinning reel. I'm going to go with the alconites in the new concept configuration. What would be your suggestions for sizes? Do I really need a 30 for the largest guide?

Thanks,
Ron Greenbank

With reels that size a size 20 Alconite is all you need to start with.