Hello All, I am going to build some fresh water trout rods. I am looking for a 6'6" 2 piece blank. I will be using 2-6 lb test mostly 4lb and the jig/lure weight will be 1/32-1/4. I am looking for a fast/ultra fast action blank with power between UL and light. Anyone know of any under rated UL blanks or or over rated light power blanks?
Thanks, Ed

hello Ed theres plenty to choose from you might want to check out some fly rod blanks i build trout rods out of em all the time and most are fast action make for a nice light rod and plenty available worth a check anyway tight wraps ............Rob

Might look at the St Croix SC II 2S66ULF-2.

U/L spinning blanks are hard to find with a fast action but you can find fly rod blanks
that may foot the bill!
Look at the Tiger-Eye blanks by Sevier. A great value!
Also look at the Batson/Forcast blanks. Also a great blank and value!

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

BATSON RAINSHADOW
RX-7 GRAPHITE (43 million Modulus)
IS-78-1-F 6'6" 2-piece.
Olive Green / Matte Clear finish.
2-6 lb 1/16 - 1/4 oz.
Butt 0.300" Tip 4.5 / 64ths
Moderate Action Extra-Lite Power
Weight 0.78 oz
$45.00 - Matte Clear
$31.50 - Olive Green, on Close-Out IS-78-1FG


BATSON RAINSHADOW
RX-6 GRAPHITE (33 million Modulus)
SP-78-1-2 6'6" 2-piece.
Clear Gloss finish.
2-6 lb 1/16 - 1/4 oz.
Butt 0.351" Tip 4.0 / 64ths
Moderate Action Extra-Lite Power
Weight 1.10 oz $19.


These RAINSHADOWS can be ordered at
www.FISHSTICKS4U.com
Robert Tignor
Best Bet / Home Office: (804) 746-9711


It "seems" that Ultra-Lite graphite rods in that long a rod blank as 78" (6'6") simply do NOT come in a taper-action of FAST, never mind EXTRA Fast, as you indicated. MECHANICALLY, I suspect that it must be VERY difficult to reliably build a 6'6" UL 2-6# rod blank with a very FAST action. The thing would probably snap like a burnt twig every time you set the hook on an outsized fish, or snagged the bottom. So, consider relaxing the TAPER-ACTION parameter a bit. Or, if you do find a fast/extra-fast taper UL 78" 2-pc rod blank, it may cost you quite a bit more than what a perfectly competent RainShadow would cost you. IMO, ... -Cliff Hall+++

The SPECS on these two rods are very close, but $50 v. $19.

St Croix SC II Model #: PS-6'6"-UL-F-2pc.
==> MudHole #: 2S-6'6"-UL-F-2pc --> $50.

BATSON RAINSHADOW
RX-6 GRAPHITE (33 million Modulus)
SP-78-1-2 6'6" 2-pc ==> $19 at FishSticks4U

With rods this long, and a good reel, you can often use either an UL or a L power rod. Most of my experience is with St. Croix blanks (usually SCIII), and I like the L power better than the UL. The UL blanks seem way too light to do much of anything, except for tiny treble-hooked plugs. If you're using small marabou jigs or something else that you do need to set a hook with, the ULs just don't have enough power in the butt (for my taste anyway). The L power, on the other hand, can easily handle the tiny stuff , and the blanks have enough power in the butt to set a hook from some distance. Just my $0.02 worth.

I use my 3S66LF for trout fishing with 4lb. line and 1/16 oz. marabou jigs. Then, I change the line to 6lb., and use the same rod to throw 1/8 oz. grubs for bass. The rod has enough finesse and power to handle either application.

St. Croix SCII or SCIII, both are great choices.

Buzz

Thanks for all the suggestions! I will check them all out. I do plan to use jigs, so the moderate action is out. The blanks looked good on paper to me are the St Croix 2S66LF2, the Rogue SP66322, the Pac Bay Pro PRSB842-2 and the Shikari SH 601. Ed

WELL, thanks, Ed, for letting us know what you felt were the more suitable rod blanks for your application, ... Even if you did leave out the details. ... -Cliff Hall+++

Cliff, I said" looked good on paper". This is why I asked for suggestions from some more experienced builders that may have wrapped a blank with the fast action that I am looking for. I have two old Fenwick HMG's that I wrapped in the early 90's which have moderate action and I want a faster blank. Thanks again to all,for your suggestions! I will give the St Croix 3S66LF a shot, it seems like the popular choice for my needs! Ed

The nice thing about St Croix is it's usually not to difficult to check what you get with a finished rod at a store close by.

St Croix SC-II Graphite Spinning Rod Blanks
SC-Model #: PS-6'6"-UL-F-2pc.
MudHole #: 2S-6'6"-UL-F-2pc --> $50.
Trout / Panfish ... Gloss Black Pearl Finish
Length: 6'6" ... 2-piece
Line: 2-6 lb ... Lure: 1/32 - 3/16 oz.
Butt 0.310" ... Tip 4.5 / 64ths
FAST Action ... Ultra-Lite Power
Weight 1.10 oz