I have a customer who wants a "noodle" type rod for crappie, trout and pan fish. He would like a 1 piece 8 foot rod capable of handling 4-8 lb test line. I have built ultra light spinning rods for other customers using 2 or 3 wt fly rod blanks but all have been two piece.

The closet I can find so far is a Rogue RX798, 7'9" 1 piece fly blank rated between 8-10 wt. Any comments on this blank or others fitting the specs would be appreciated.

Don't forget that the SHIPPING costs may rise dramatically for a boxed rod that is below 8 feet long, compared to those boxed rods that are over 8 feet long. -Cliff Hall+++

Without a real CCS conversion, the usual conversion guestimate is:
(FLY LINE WT) x (1.0 lbs / fly-line-wt) = FILAMENT LINE TEST

So the 8-10 Weight Rogue 1-piece Fly Rod Blank is ~ (8-10) lb test.
And you would like to get a 4-8 lb rod blank.

The only other rod blank I am conveniently finding
anywhere near that length, but a heavier power, is a
Batson RainShadow IP-902 :
IP902 ... Matte Clear ... 7'6" ... 1-piece ...
6-12lb. ... 1/4-1/2 ... 0.445" ... 4.5 / 64ths ...
Mod-Fast ... Med-Lt ... 1.89oz. ... $52.00 - Add

Rainshadow Inshore / Crankbait Blanks (IP / CB)
[www.fishsticks4u.com]
Rainshadow RX7 Inshore Popping Rod Blanks (Matte Clear)
Features:
• RX7 Intermediate Modulus (43 million), High Strain Rate graphite
• Technique specific crank bait actions
• 1/2 the weight and diameter of a similar power fiberglass blank
• Models to cover all sizes of crank baits
• Limited Lifetime Warranty

Ray Z - I'm sure this rod is heavier than what you are looking for. So let me say conversely that none of Batson's ONE-PIECE rods in the 7.5 to 8.0 foot range are as low power / line rated as 4-8#. I only searched thru the Batson Rod Blanks. And unless I missed something, there is no ONE-piece, 8-ft, 4-8# rod blank. It is not your imagination, Ray.

It may be easier to talk him into a 2-piece 8 to 9 footer, like the IST-108-1-F, than to find such a lite / ultra-lite one-piece 8 foot blank. ... IMO, ... Good Luck, -Cliff Hall+++

Salmon / Steelhead Blanks (IST / ISA / SH / HS / DR)
[fishsticks4u.com]
RAINSHADOW RX-7 Graphite
IST1081F ... Matte Clear ... 9'0" ... 2-piece ...
4-8lb. ... 3/16-3/8oz. ... 0.395" ... 4.5 / 64ths ...
Mod-Fast ... Ultra-Lt ... 2.01oz. ... $60.00 - Add

Rainshadow Salmon / Steelhead Rod Blanks (Matte Clear)
Features:
• RX7 Intermediate Modulus (43 million), High Strain Rate graphite
• Technique-specific blank actions for EVERY possible Salmon / Steelhead fishing situation
• Durable, yet light weight designs
• Limited Lifetime Warranty

Ray - maybe his aversion to multi-piece graphite rods is based on some ancient history that you can clear up. Today's graphite ferruled rods are much less prone to breakage, slippage, wear and ill-fitting than the rods of yesteryear. And the interruption in rod action and feel is almost nil compared to the old metal ferrules.

Maybe that is the only thing that needs discovery here - exactly what it is that is putting him off a nice 2-piece rod. ... I know: "The customer is always right, ..."

I just thought you could see if his objection is a legitimate bad experience; a strong preference, or an easily dispelled myth. Plus, a 2-piece is a lot easier to stow than a one-piece 8+ footer. And you already have some prior blanks & experience with 2-3 wt fly blanks to draw on. (Go with what you know, ...) (| :- ) ... IMO, -Cliff Hall+++ B)-

Cliff,
I am in basic agreement with you however in my judgment there is one reason and only one reason for there being a ferrule in a rod and that is to make it easier to transport and while a one piece rod can be a real pain to transport one piece rods are superior in terms of performance to multi-piece rods. While I agree with you that modern ferrules are dramatically better than older ferrules but they still increase weight and create a stiff section in the rod. I will admit that the weight increase is small and the stiff section is only a little stiffer but there is an increase in weight and the ferrule does create a stiff section.
You are absolutely right about the shipping costs though.

Hiya, Emory: Fine-point corrections duly noted.

Being an apartment dweller myself, with standard-height 8 foot ceilings; and being the driver of an ordinary passenger car (not a long-interior station wagon, van, SUV or open truck), the rod ferrule is my small price to pay for my rods' transportability. Come to think of it, I hardly even think about it anymore !!! Anything over ~ 7' 3" is automatically a 2-piece rod for me. -Cliff Hall+++

Thanks guys, once again you have confirmed what I suspected but more importantly suggested alternative strategies for dealing with my customer. This IS the place to learn.

Ray , you may concider trying to find a 7' in what you think is what you (the customer) wants and add a titanium , or an aluminum extention to the butt . I've done it , fairly simple and it works great .
Have fun , John Dow , NERBs

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