I have built several rods over the last 10-12 years for myself or as gifts, obtaining materials from Cabelas. I have been looking lately to find a graphite blank for a general purpose casting rod for my son-in-law, but not having much luck. I want a 6', 2pc blank (fast action and using lures of 1/8-5/8oz with 8-20 lb line) that is not too expensive (maybe closer to inexpensive) as he tends to not care for his equipment as much as I do. Problem I am having is everyone seems to only carry 1pc blanks.

I know I could buy two blanks and cut them to get what I need, but I'll never build enough to utilize the left over pieces. Any good sources I am missing? Or are there companies out there that will sell me what I need in two matching pieces for a small additional charge?

Also, on my last UL spin rod I used a self sticking gold foil under the wraps to both brighten the wrap and and to a section between the solid wraps that was an elongated spiral where the foil showed through as a background. I can't seem to find this foil in any color now. Any ideas where to find the foil in gold, silver, other colors?

Roger Petrella
Franktown, CO

check out utmostenterprises

[www.utmostenterprises.com]

They carry Batson and Rainshadow products, I thought they were a sponser but don't see them on the list.

They have been the greatest help to me.

Manufacturer: BATSON Enterprises
Great Rod Blanks, ... Great Components, ...
Great Design, ... and Great Value !
[www.batsonenterprises.com]

Vendor: FISHSTICKS4U - Robert Tignor,
Capt. Ray Brown and Kevin Smith at:
[www.FishSticks4U.com] [RBO Sponsor]
Great Service and Superb Website. FS4U
has specifications for every rod & component.
FishSticks4U – You can’t build just one.

FORECASTS & GUIDES – A MINI REVIEW
Cliff Hall [www.rodbuilding.org] 04-14-06



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/28/2006 01:40PM by Moderator.

Roger,
Check the sponsors to the left. 2 pc blanks are readily available from many companies. Good quality/good price blanks such as American Tackle Matrix Spin Jig series, PacBay Tradition series, Rainshadow/Forecast, Tiger Eye and probably others that I'm not aware of. Janns Nettcraft (sponsor on the left) has many inexpensive blank as does Mudhole, Custom Tackle, Fishstics4U and others. You have to look around and see what's available that fits your needs.

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!!

Roger,
you're probably not finding what you want because you'r looking for a casting blank. I don't know of any manufacturer who makes a 2 piece casting blank. So just build a casting rod on a 2-piece spinning blank. The only difference will be that the spinning blank probably won't have a fast of an action. Any of the brands mentioned above will have what you're looking for.

Roger Petrella of Franktown, CO wrote: "I have been looking lately to find a graphite blank for a general purpose casting rod for my son-in-law, but not having much luck. I want a 6', 2pc blank (fast action and using lures of 1/8-5/8oz with 8-20 lb line) that is not too expensive (maybe closer to inexpensive) as he tends to not care for his equipment as much as I do. Problem I am having is everyone seems to only carry 1pc blanks." ...

Yep, under ~7 feet, that can be a problem, finding a 6-foot, 2-piece rod blank. Near 72", the RS-RX7 "ISP-78-4-F" is about the only one of the Batson Rod Blanks that is very close to your target of a 6-foot, 2-piece, bait-casting rod rated for 1/8 - 5/8ths oz. Lures, and around 8-17# Line.

BATSON Rainshadow & Forecast Rod Blanks
Spin Multi-Purpose Blanks (IS / SP / ISP)
[www.fishsticks4u.com]

RS-RX7 Model #: "ISP-78-4-F" ... 6'6" ... 2-piece ... Matte Clear
8-14 lb. ... 1/4 - 5/8 oz. ... 0.475" .... 5.5 / 64ths ...
Moderate-Fast ... Medium-Heavy ... 1.83 oz. ... $49.00 - [FS4U]

RainShadow RX7 Spin Multi-Purpose Rod Blanks (Matte Clear)
• RX7 Intermediate Modulus (43 million), High Strain Rate graphite
• Many two piece models available
• Limited Lifetime Warranty

If a ONE-Piece 6-foot bait-casting rod is manageable, then you will have ten times as many options available to you for this rod project. The cost for a nice 1-piece may even be below $30, and that may factor into your choices.

Maybe a nice 6', one-piece ForeCast E-GLASS "SPG-72-3" Rod Blank would meet your specifications, and also survive your Son-in Law's carelessness. At only ~$10.20 each, you can build 2 of them at once (with modest components) for about the same price as a fancy 2-piece rod blank all by itself.

Good Luck, Roger. ... -Cliff Hall+++, FL-USA.

Forecast E-Glass Spinning and Casting Blanks (SPG)
[www.fishsticks4u.com]

FC-EG Model #: "SPG-72-3" ... 6'0" ... 1-piece ... Gloss Black
8-15 lb. ... 1/8 - 1/2 oz. ... 0.495" ... 5.5 / 64ths ...
Moderate ... Medium ... 1.80 oz. ... $10.20 - Add [FS4U]

Forecast E-Glass Spinning and Casting Rod Blanks
• E-glass construction
• Ultra-Light through Heavy actions
• Gloss Black finish
• 2 Year Limited Warranty

The fish will never know if it's a casting or spinning blank! Actually, many blanks listed as casting or spinning are the identical blanl listed in both categories to make it easier to find a blank for a particular application. You should have NO problem finding a 2 pc blank. As far as fast action, blanks designated as Spin Jig Blanks are fast action. You might find more of a selection of 2 pc blanks in 6'6" though. Since you buy from Cabela's, look at their Fish Eagle II Spin blanks, although you can get what you need from the sponsors on the left.

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!!

Roger,
If you can't find the blank that you need through the sponsors, then check at Cabela's. They carry a blank in their custom graphite series which I have used. It is the SP663B, 6'6", fast action, and rated for 1/4-5/8 oz lures. They also carry that blank in their IM7 series, not very expensive and it is a great blank. I have built 8 rods so far using the IM7 blanks.

We carry a pretty good selection of 2-piece spin/cast blanks from 5' to 10' with eight different blanks between 5' and 6'6". Defintely inexpensive enough for this application yet good quality. Thanks, Joe.

Joe Douglas