I've decided that I'm going to build my first rod as a casting catfishing rod. I know I want to use one of the cheap 7' E-glass blanks from mudhole, but am unsure of what handle to use. I would prefer to use a cork handle. Will the St. Croix CG-21 casting handle kit work with this blank? Are there other casting handle kits on the market that are more like 26-28 inches with a 6-8 inch foregrip? Thanks.

Nat Evans
Stafford, VA

I am getting ready to build 1 of those blanks. Just make sure you get a reel seat that will fit. I ordered a CRSD-22t for my blank. the butt on mine was .759
Jack

Nat . Go for it . Make your own

Thanks, I'd make my own, but don't have a lathe or a press. Any suggestions on where I might contract a custom handle?

One of my first rods was built on this same blank. I used an EVA handle - it was good practice in sliding the EVA down the blank. I made mine with a spiral wrap, and use it for catfish and striper. I think EVA probably stands up to this kind of use better than cork.
Steve Broadwell

I don't know where you fish for cats or how but personally I would consider a 7' rod to be a bit short for cats as I usually use 9' or better. I depends on location and presentation I guess. For a first rod why not try something a little different and quite easy to build like a split grip bumper spiral casting rod using a fiji plate reel seat and the accessory trigger that goes with it. I also would use EVA grips.






Derek L. McMaster
Rohnert Park, CA

Born to Fish, FORCED to Work

I concidered EVA, but really do perfer the feel of cork. The main purpose of this project is to refine my technique before I build on the the much more expensive St. Croix catfish classic blank I have. I have one of the factory Catfish Classics (now discountinued) with a cork handle and really like it . I would like to be able to replicate the rod as close to the factory produced model as possible.

do you know what modle it is? i have made two i personaly have one e-glass 7' 706 and used a split grip out of hypolon, it's my lite cranking stick and i just perchased a s-glass model for spiners and spooks, cork is what i'm going to use. and you don;t need a lath. get a drill make a mount out of wood use with your wraper and sape it.

Nat, I'd go for atleast a 8 foot blank for that long of grip so you can still get those big sweeping sets and have the length to do it. Also check out mydhole.s deal on cork grips right now...If you buy a CBG-11 rear grip ///use the reel seat Jack mentioned earlier and also buy a CBG-9 inch rear grip...you can cut the small 3/4 inch end pieces off the 9" rear grip...and use it for a 7 1/2 inch front grip by just simply hand sanding the CBG-9 down to taper in the front to the rod blank to you liking...with an 11" rear grip..about 5 inches for the reel seat, and a 7 1/2 inch front grip...you will have a handle about 23 inches overall and the cork will only be about 8 bucks total...plus reel seat cost. Call Mudhole and sales dept. ask for Scott tell him about this plan and he will tell you the reel seat you need for the blank your using. [shop.mudhole.com]
There is the link for the sale page with the cork on the bottom right of the page.
Ask Scott what blank he would recommend as there are many that will work for what you intend to do. Since your saving alot on the cork you could spend a little more on the blank...you can probably find a good one in that $45 dollar range. He can set you up with the guides for that rod too...with a longer blank like that I would steer towards a spiral wrap but since its your first rod you may choose to do a conventional guide set up.

Hope you find what your looking for...but I think this is a great deal on the cork for your handle...and if you can find the blank you want too and the reel seat from the same place...it helps cut the shipping totals you will incure compared to getting your parts from multiple sources.
Jeff

Thanks Jeff - That sounds like a good idea. I'll call Mudhole.