Hello all. I was thinking of trying to use a fly-rod blank to build a light steelhead casting rod. I though perhaps a 9 foot seven or eight weight, fast action blank to use for smaller river/stream floatfishing. Has anyone tried this yet? Would it work?
thanks,
Tom

Tom, I haven't personally done it, but judging from numerous previous posts, many have used fly blanks for spinning/casting rods. Remember, the fish has no idea what kind of blank it is! If it fits your needs, go for it!!!!!

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Ditto!!

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

I've done it many time, the blanks are a lighter than the float/jig spin/cast blanks, but not near as durable. The reinforced area to take the load is lower on a fly blank because of the handle design being so short. The reinforcement area is maybe 22 to 26 inches in the spin/cast due to their handle design. You're stiffening the fly blank in an area it was not designed for and it can be a problem.
That's why you're not to put your other hand above the grip on fly rods not designed for it ,like the heavier saltwater blanks. It works very well as long as you know the inherent limitations. I wouldn't try to talk a steelhead out of changing pools on me with a fly blank, I've seen the results. I've done it when necessary with a spin/cast blank many times with better results. The Loomis 1141 blank was developed from a 7 wt fly blank, but it does have a little more graphite in the butt section. All this is from a west coast point of view where we have heavier water conditions.
One of the nicest eastern rods I've used was a Thorne Bros. 10 ft T & T custom 3 piece 7 wt spinning drift rod. Worked very well there.

I think you are on the right track. I have made 4 rods out of 9' 12wt . Used for striper live bait fishing. Have landed 27lber with out a problem. Also by accident caught a blue cat that must have weighed 50+. Enough about mine. First buy a decent blank. I have one guide on the bottom peice and 10 plus tip on the upper half.Make sure that you wrap 1-2" on the female ferrule. Should be a nice outfit. Good luck-Bill

Thanks for the input/information.
Tom.