My six year old has become addicted to casting his medium weight spinning rod (an old fenwick fiberglass pack rod), and I thought I'd build him an ultralight to better match up with the bluegill and small stream trout we usually fish for. I've only built fly rods, and suddenly realized I know exactly diddly about spinning blanks. Any suggestions for 5-5.5', preferably 2 piece blanks? Durablilty would be a plus. I'm open to seat and guide ideas, too. Thanks.

Wayne Chubb
Fair Oaks, CA

Shikari has some nice 5'3" or 5'4" blanks that I have fallen in love with. They're fast but one piece only. You'll just have to scour some catalogs I guess.

Think BATSON Brand as the Manufacturer of
RainShadow or ForeCast Rod Blanks,
and ForeCast Rod Components.

Think FishSticks4U for your Vendor / Supplier .

RAINSHADOW Rod Blanks at FS4U
[www.fishsticks4u.com]

For example:
Spin Multi-Purpose Blanks (IS/SP/ISP)
[www.fishsticks4u.com]

RS-RX6 - SP600 ... Clear Gloss ... 5'0" ... 1-piece
1-4lb. ... 1/32-1/8oz. ... 0.269" ... 3.5 / 64ths
Moderate ... Ultra-Lt ... 0.50oz. ... $12.65

ForeCast and FS4U offer great values on Reel Seats, LIne Guides, etc, and everything you'll need to complete almost any rod project. Give them a try and see for yourself. You'll be glad you did.

-Cliff Hall+++, Gainesville, FL-USA*****

Look atthe Tiger Eye blanks, TIGS502UL, TIGS562L, TIGS602UL - Two piece 5', 5.5', and 6' blanks respectively. Inexpensive, and they make a nice u/l rod.

Get the eva grips with slip rings to hold the reel, but I opt to cut these grips in two, use two-thirds of the lenth for the butt, and a third of the length for the foregrip, I throw away the slip rings and use a reel seat to make the connection more durable. Of course you can always use cork. Guides CYAG20J, CYAG16J, CYAG10J, CYAG8J, CYAG7J, and a CFAT6J-4.5 top (or whatever tip tube size you wind up using). BTW, these are chrome guides, black frames available.

I strongly dislike building these things since they are like a noodle in my hands, and have to be really careful to get the guides aligned right-on as I wrap them cause its difficult to adjust them after they're wrapped...

Lou

If you are willing to go up a bit, I've always thought Cabela's XML (their top of the line) UL blanks are a great deal. If you purchase 3. you get $10 off each blank. For their short UL blanks, that's a great deal for a nice blank with great warranty. Basically 25 years no hassle replacement. We picked these up for $25 last year in 5' 6" two piece and the 5' one piece (feather weight indeed) was only $19.99. The price went up a bit this year so even with the $10 discount the 5' 6" two piece is $34.99 - not as good a pricing.

Mo

Look at Jann's Netcraft on the left and their own tubular fiberglass blanks. I've built several of their 5ft. ultra-light blanks and though these blanks are heavier than graphite they're a good choice IMO. Ralph

If at first you don't succeed, go fishing, then try, try again.

I'm with Cliff on this one , I cut my teeth building a bunch of the SP661-2s , great blanks at a great price.
Have fun , John NERBS

Got Fish ?

i think loomis had one out the no was 601.it was a 1pc mag lite action. it is 6; correct me if i am wrong.thanks joe

i think loomis had one out the no was 601.it was a 1pc mag lite action. it is 6; correct me if i am wrong.thanks joe

sorry for dp

Here check these out. Bottom of the page [www.schneidersrods.com]

I also side with Cliff Hall.
My experience with Baston componants and blanks has been the best!
That being said, other Mfg. have blanks that fill the bill as well like the
Sevier tiger-eye. I have one of those and love it!

I would also suggest checking out the FAQ and library sections regarding guide
placement for spinning rods as you said you know "diddley" in that area.

Since your son is so happy with his old Fenwick if you what to build him a rod
very similar to that one email me as I know someone who has a bunch of those
blanks for sale.

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

I have used the Fenwick Fenglass FS 61 and FS 53 2 piece rods forever for trout, really like the slower action for brushy or light gear conditions. They are also tough as nails for an ultralight.