I just started building rod 4 months ago and I just finished my first one. I have a St.croix ML 6'6" spin blank that was given to me by a friend. The thought came to me to use the spin blank and make it into a cast rod. What are the different bewteen spin and cast blank and will this turn out ok? Thank you.

The blank does not care what kind of reel is on it. Build it, fish it and enjoy!

Ben,
I am not sure about St. Croix but some manufacturers make their blanks intended for spinning rods with a slower action than their comparable blanks intended for casting rods. But as Scott suggests don't worry about it. If you like the blanks action you can make it into either a spinning or a casting rod.

I agree with Scott. I would not hesitate to build a casting blank on a spinning blank, or vice versa. In fact, I would prefer to build a casting rod on a spinning blank that met my needs, instead of a "casting" blank that wasn't exactly what I was looking for.

This is not fact, but what I've observed about the St. Croix blanks. Perhaps a St. Croix rep will read this and give more accurate information. What I've observed is that the tapers on the spinning blanks don't seem quite as agressive as on the casting blanks. So basically, the natural bend of a 3C66MLF will be closer to the tip than will the natural bend of a 3S66MLF.

What this means to me is that I build up their spinning blanks into casting blanks. I like the rod to bend just a tad futher toward the middle. I've not built an ML into a casting blank, but the last 3C70MLF that I built up (as a spinning rod) was just a phenomenal all-around rod. I'd like to build one up as a casting blank.

If you want a casting rod, build it up as a casting rod. The blank will perform quite well regardless. I think the real challenge will be finding a casting reel that's up to the task. With an ML casting rod, you're going to be throwing lightweight baits on 6-10 lb. line. This means you need a high quality, ultra-smooth casting reel.

Put a seat on some how make it fit tight, some guides try it out and see if you like the action of it.

What ever you do, just don't speak to mfg intended origins with in ear shot of your rod, You may hurt its feelings, and like Clint Eastwoods Donkey someone may need to apologize.

In my experience the statement above by Andrew White is correct. Over the past few years I have built around 20 casting rods on spinning rod blanks without a single negative issue. Also I have gone the other way and built 3 excellent inshore spinning rods from 7'6" casting rod blanks. It is all about action and power.

I have turned downed two very tempting offers for a 7' casting rod I built on a G. Loomis Mahogany popping rod blank so I could keep it in my starting line up.

A blank is a blank - they are all made the same way and there is no difference whatsoever between a casting and spinning rod blanks. Those are simply catalog designations.

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