Hi. I'm looking to build a couple of trolling rods for size 4, 5 and sometimes 7 Shad Raps. I want the blanks 8 to 10 feet long, medium action. Any suggestions for blanks? Thanks for your time and experience.

Kevin

For 8' Trolling Blanks for Rapala SHAD RAPS (Size 4, up to Size 7):
Batson RainShadow RS-RX7 "IP-96-x" Series
Moderate-Fast Taper-Action for all these IP-96-x Series
In-Shore Popping Rods, for 8-footers. [FS4U] -Cliff Hall



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/10/2006 09:53AM by Cliff Hall.

It would be nice if this rod could do double-duty as a bottom-bouncer rod for trolling walleye spinner rigs close to shallow (6-12') weedlines too!

Chuck

_________________________________________
"Angling is extremely time consuming.
That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/10/2006 10:05AM by Chuck Mills.

Hey Kevin,
I have built a BUNCH of crankbait trolling rods on the St. Croix blank (8 foot, medium power, telescoping, don't emember the model number, look on the webite in the SCII or SCWII area). They are used primarily for pulling planer boards with cranks attached for the walley pros. Most of the pros want a pair of 10 foot, then pair of 9 foot, then a pair of 8 footers to help cut down on line tangles when running 6 rods off the back of the boat using boards. They can be used without boards also.

I just extend the grips/butt section whenever I need to make it longer than the factory blank length of 8 feet long. The telescoping of the blank is a big help when storing the rods in/on the boat.

Not that you asked but I use Fuji Hardloy double foot guides with a spiral wrap configuration. HARD, EVA foam grips.

Good luck and catch a bunch,

Buzz

Oh yeah, one more point to make. With these blank you can see the vibration that the crankbait makes while watching the tip section of the blank.
When the tip top on the rod is not showing a visable vibration, then the crank bait is fouled with seaweed. Very helpful thing to have and not all blanks do this.

Buzz

Any of the hotshot blanks would do the trick to - we use them for flatline trolling on Mille Lacs with Rouges and Super Rouges. They are designed to drag crankbaits down to the bottom for slamon - nice easy tip action but very nice backbone when needed as well.
Chuck Ungs

Yep!!
Try a Rainshadow HS1021 or HS1025 they are both 8'6" the 1021 is a bit heavier
with more back bone. You will NOT be disappointed!

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

Thanks for all the responses. I was wondering if the steelhead rods would work. The lengths are what I need but how does the lure/line weight compare to spinning rods? If it says it's rated 3/8-3/4 does that translate to 3/8 ounce to 3/4 ounce lures? Thanks.

yes

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

Kevin Norstuen asked: “How does the Lure / Line weight [of SteelHead rods] compare to Spinning rods? If it says it's rated 3/8 - 3/4 oz., does that translate to 3/8 ounce to 3/4 ounce lures?”

LURE RATING is somehow based on a percentage range of angular rod deflection, using weights (as static and / or dynamic loads), to determine the Lure Rating given. Apparently, it is somewhat arbitrary, but internally consistent within a Blank Series, and within a given Manufacturer. Standardization between Manufacturers is slightly different.

LINE RATINGS seem to be based on similar conventions, and are also correlated with certain ranges of Lure Ratings.

Beyond that self-evident generalization, it seems that a lure-weight’s hydro- or aero- dynamics has to be based on the assumption of a stream-lined lure body, regardless of the style fishing rod used. Water or wind resistance can vary tremendously for a given lure weight, and design based on the only uniform condition (a tear-drop weight) may be about the only way of standardizing methods.

So there has to be a certain amount of presumption based on that assumption. Otherwise, you’d be stymied by the unknowable.

Believe you me, I wish I knew a great deal more about this. Perhaps someone who does will see this Post and enlighten us further.
Thanks for a great question, Kevin. -Cliff Hall, FL-USA.

Kinda sorta on the lure weights; some shallow divers aren't going to pull nearly as hard as a long-billed deep diver, but can be nearly the same weight. That should be taken into consideration on a crankbait rod, too.

I use 3 different "holder" rods for trolling the variety of walleye crankbaits (not the ones I put in a rod holder), and try to base the type of rod blank used (mostly) with how deep the lure dives. Those 20 foot + divers (the old Long A bombers and the newer brands, too) need a stout blank compared to a #5 shad rap deep diver. Of course, those two lure examples don't weigh quite the same, either!! Just some thought on this...

Putter
Williston, ND

For trolling Rapalas in rod holders I really like the Shimano ML Talora rods, they're a glass/carbon mix and are great. The 10' heavy version is also very good for trolling Muskie lures. I haven't found a blank that I like as much as the built up Shimano rod (the St. Croix is ok but the Shimano rod is less $$$ than the St Croix blank which isn't as good). If anyone knows of a glass/carbon blank that is as good as the Shimano Talora I would love to know. And for $80 the Shimano is a good value.