Have a customer that wants a 3 or 4 piece rod 7' range for salmon fishing in Alaska. Plans to use up to 30# test. Way out of my area of knowledge! Doesn't want to break the bank. Any suggestions?? PLEASE!

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Rainshadow / forecast makes several 7' 3 pc blanks. Bass blanks I think

What kind of salmon and where/how are they going to be fishing? Kenai? You might want to look at hotshot blanks, I think some are shorter, and they are best for plugging off a skiff. If he's going to be drifting or casting I would try to have him consider something longer (8'6" is the "norm"). If he isn't fishing for kings something rated 15-20 lbs would be a lot funner, but it depends on the intended use. If he's looking for the "all-around" rod for kings and sockeye etc, I would suggest building 2 forecast or similar rods instead. I've yet to break one in AK, and the salmon/steelhead models are pretty nice for the $$. As for multi-piece rods....heck if I know! I live in Juneau and frequently take longer rods on planes and have yet to have a problem with two-piecers. Just get a good tube with some padding. You could probably even bring them on board.

I just picked up a couple of Lamiglas XMG-50 8'3" 8-17lb blanks from Angler's Workshop at an unbelievably low price...might want to check out their sale blanks...

Ray Vinzant
Juneau, AK

Hello Mike
There are quite a few to choose from if your willing to build the ferrrules.
Check with Rainshadow for there RX4 composites in 7 foot lengths SWS70MH and their Tought Stick TS70ML and MH. Lamiglas has some great blanks in 7 foot lenghts- They have and IM6 blank CC84H, their MB 84 1F and 2F and more. Pretty sure you could find some made by Seeker and others to. Increasing to 7 1/2 ft even more are available. Fishstick4U, Anglers Workshop, Mudhole, Custom Tackle and more carry many manufactures blanks that would meet your need. Check with the great vendors to the left and go for it.
Regards Joe
HIS Rod Shop

Hi Mike, I just sent you an email.

The IC 847-3 Rainshadow might be what your looking for. The fellow I built one for has had it in South America for peacock bass. Yukon Territory for lakers and pike. He says it will work fine on salmon also.

Spencer, Karry Batson recommende the same blank! I think that he'll go for that one!

Thanks, everyone for the input!

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Mike,
I think your customer will really like this blank. Everytime I see my customer he is always buying me a cup of coffee and telling me another fish he's caught on this rod.