Well, I finally saved up enough $$ to get a skiff, and now need to build a new halibut stick. Looking for any suggestions on blanks/guides etc. Looking for a good stout blank for heavy bait and jigging, and I'm thinking 6.5 ft or less. I've never built such a large rod (mostly fly), so any tips would be great! I figure I'll go with a bumper spiral with possibly turbo guides. So far leaning towards Lamiglas or Batson.

Thanks,
Ray Vinzant
Juneau, AK

Where will you be fishing for them? Cali Coast, or Alaska? Might want to give us more info on how you'll be fishing.

RBO SEARCH = "JOHN BLAIR HALIBUT"
LAST YEAR; SUBJECT + MESSAGE + AUTHOR

RBO SEARCH = "JOHN BLAIR"
LAST YEAR; SUBJECT + MESSAGE + AUTHOR

RBO SEARCH = "HALIBUT"
LAST YEAR; SUBJECT + MESSAGE + AUTHOR

Split Grip Halibut Rod ... Capt. John Blair ... 12/24/05 ... 09:15AM
[www.rodbuilding.org] "My buddy and I own a small halibut and salmon Charter business in Alaska. The truth is we got too old to handle the heat here in South Texas during the summer (we love it except for the summer). I noticed over the last 4 or 5 years that my customer, esp. the ladies and kids, were having trouble hauling halibut in. I am thinking about building a six foot boat or halibut rod ... etc." - Big John ... Rio Hondo, Texas. ... An idle mind is the ... "best way to relax" ... A penny saved ... "is not much".

"Ray Vinzant, Juneau, AK" <[email protected]> - Ray V., Do some background reading on "Blair" & "Halibut", and crank up the e-mail and give Big John a holler. ... He's a friendly Capt and I'm sure he'll be glad to hear from you and help if he can. ... "Capt. John Blair" <[email protected]>

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

I would take a look at the PBX Pac-Bay blanks, they are composite blanks. I use them for stand-ups for YFT Tuna



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/03/2006 04:37PM by Barry D Thomas Sr.

Raymond,
Thank you for looking at the Batson line up of Rainshadow/Forecast blanks & components. You will not be disappointed in your decision to use our quality products.
I have in my office 6 different halibut rods built on the following blanks.
TS66MH*GB/BL = 6'6", 1pc, 20-40lb ( This blank can handle much more than that, I fish 80 lb braid on this rod.) Mod/Fast action. This particular Rod was built by Don Morton with the Spiral Wrap Design, the only way IMHO to build a rod like this. Components from Butt to Tip: AG27BL = aluminum Gimbal ( Blue), Slick 10 = slick butt,
ETAHD22M-B/BL ( Black & Blue) = our new Hvy Duty Marine grade aluminum Reel Seat ( Unique design to Batson) BF14A1012 = 14" EVA Foregrip, BH = Hosel, 11 UD style (Black& Blue) guides and a matching Hvy duty tip top.
2 other ones with the same TS( Tough Sticks, trade mark of Batson Ent.) series blanks ( One lighter & One heavier) with the All American Roller Guide Company Acid Wrap Guides..One Built by John Knight and the other by Scott Throop.
I also have one of these built with very simular components with our Solid Glass Blank - 695x220x72
I also have one built on our SWB series with Turbo Guides ( BSTUG).
I also have one built on our FSU56XH blank = 5'6" 50-80 lb test. Built By Mark Crouse with all roller guides and alot of Custom Work..( Weaves & Such)
To pick my favorite one would be tough. I guess I would pick the most productive one , the one done by Don Morton.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us. We would be more than happy to give you our opinion.
Thank you all for your support, we could not do it without you.
Bill Batson
CEO
Batson Enterprises.
Rainshadow/Forecast Product line.
877-875-2381
batson@batsonenterprises.com
www.batsonenterprises.com

Ray Vinzant – Like I was saying, you REALLY should read the whole Thread with John Blair from Christmas Eve 2005. LOTS of good Replies from the RBO Forum there. Too much to re-Post here. … [www.rodbuilding.org]

You can also SHOP for Batson RainShadow & ForeCast Rod Blanks, and all the fabulous ForeCast Guides & Components at www.FISHSTICKS4U.com. FishSticks4U is a FULL-LINE BATSON DEALER, and Robert Tignor & Co. at FS4U have all you’ll need to finish your rod-building project(s), and round out your components inventory.
-Cliff Hall+++, Gainesville, FL-USA.

Re: Split Grip Halibut Rod ... BILL BATSON ... 12-24-05 12:45
[www.rodbuilding.org]

The spiral wrap IMHO is the only way to fish for big fish such as Halibut.

The two rods I carry when targeting Halibut are built this way: One is built by Don Morton, and the other one is built by John Knight. One has All American Acid Wrap roller guides, and the other one has Forecast Zirconium UD style guides.

They both have a gimbal, ForeCast 8" Slick Butt, AHD24M Hvy duty Aluminum Reel Seat, and 16" EVA Foregrip. This is great for leaning on the gunwale. Both the blanks used are the Forecast E-Glass/ ToughSticks w/solid glass tip. I have landed alot of halibut with these rods, and there is a big difference with the spiral wrap design.

Mark Crouse is currently finishing up another one to add to my quiver. This one is not a spiral wrap, but still will see alot of action also. I know alot of Guides in Alaska are also using this set up with our Solid Glass Blanks They are indestructible, but heavy.

I can hardly wait till Halibut season again this year in the Great Northwest.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Bill Batson, CEO – Batson Enterprises
Rainshadow/Forecast products
877-875-2381
batson@batsoneneterprises.com
www.batsonenterprises.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/03/2006 07:01PM by Cliff Hall.

Thanks to everyone who responded. That Don Morton rod sounds very nice indeed! Will be fishing for halibut near Juneau in Southeast Alaska. I think the fish here average at around 40lbs or so, but 80 pounders are pretty common. Sounds like that Tough Stick is the way to go. Any comments/hints etc on building such a heavy rod would be nice, as I''ve never done so. I've seen a lot of rods around here that are totally coated with thread finish. Is that really needed? Whats the advantage?

I hope spring hurries up....spring kings in May!

Thanks again,
Ray

Volume 6, Issue 3, of RodMaker magazine has an excellent article on building Standup rods that provides good information on building a rod such as you are contemplating for halibut.

Stan Grace
Helena, MT
"Our best is none too good"

Hello Ray,
There are several great blanks out there and Bill Batson handles some of the best and has great guides, rollers and such. BE SURE TO THINK SPIRAL WRAPS. The longer the foregrip the better depending on how you intend to fish for the big cows. Send me a email and I will mail you some pictures of some of the rods I make mostly for charter boats but it may give you some ideas. I can't push the idea of long foregrips and spiral wraps enough. Just my opinion. I am sure you will make a good rod and I hope you win your local derby with it. Good luck and good fishing.

Big John
Rio Hondo, Texas
Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting

For your size halibut, I used the old standby Forecast SWB 70H, BC 29 B gimbal cover, AG 27 Gimbal, Slick 8 rear butt, AHD 22 M reelseat, BF foregrip, and STLG guides with matching top. My 100 lb and less Halibut rod, my ling rod. It is a recipe I received from Batson some years ago.