Does anyone have any input as how these blanks (RCLB70XL) might perform as a live bait for Kingfish here in Florida, I see the 10-25 has an extra light power rating, and I don't know how that would work with a 40 pound king ripping off line, I really like the other specs for drifting live bait, but the power rating seems not to match the type of fishing I do, any suggestions?

Smitty



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/11/2006 11:07AM by Walter Schmidt.

Walter,

Picked up XL recently but have yet to build. Feels very much like a Calstar 700XL in the store. Perhaps, modelled after Calstar's line up?

James

I've been very happy with the Seeker CLB704 for live bait kingfishing and the blank you mentioned sounds like a duplicate of this only at a fraction of the price. Remeber that the rating is a LINE rating not expected fish weight rating. There is no reason why you couldn't land a 40lb king on that blank. I have a few times on the 704.

Personally I like to use medium action blanks for Kingfishing. Kings have pretty soft mouths and when they decide to unexpectedly run and rocket I like to have the rod absorb that run, rather than pull the hooks. I guess a fast action blank would work as long as it weren't over powered (which is the case with the 70XL). However, I think that a 10-25# rating might be a little light. If you're looking to tourney fish I would say no but if you're looking to be "sportsman" like, than go for it!

I've built my kingfish rods with Seeker SB807. Very happy with them. I am assuming you are going to be drifting these live baits and not trolling them, right? If you are going to troll live baits then the RCLB70XL will not work - it's just too light.

By the way, where in FL are you? ...or are you just going to fish in FL?

I'm here in St. Petersburg, I've mostly always fished kings with trolling daisy chain rigs with a skirted horse ballyhoo on the East Coast, and caught quite a few VERY large kings, but it seems that everyone over here says that BIG kings only eat BiG live bait, so I guess they hang out in different schools here. I'm going to propably step up to the next size up and try the RCLB70L 15-30. I'm a big Rainshadow/Forecast fan having used them for everything from trout to grouper to sailfish and tarpon. If they have something that will work, I'll use it!!!!

Walter, In the early eighties I was lucky to live in the area and fish with the guys that started the whole slow trolling live bait for king mackerel thing. We fished a bunch of tournements all up and down the southern coastal United States and never once used a rod with more than 12 pound test line. Back then it was not uncommon to catch a king in the upper 50's or 60 pounds or more. My largest king was caught on 12 pound test and weighed in at 73 pounds. My largest on a fly rod is 33 pounds on a 6 wt. with 8 lb test class tippet. Build yourself that Rainshadow blank, put a nice reel on it and go have a ball. Don't worry about it being too light it'll handle any king mackerel swimming.

Walter

I'm in the Madeira Beach area. I didn't realize there were builders on here so close.

To me the fast actoin blank is exactly what you want in a live-bait king mack rod. You have the light tip for natural bait presentation (slow trolling). The soft top section also helps you go easy on the fish after hook up. Remember, you'll be using very small hooks. I know guys that use no more than 2 pounds of drag...and yes these are tournament fishermen. Like Michael said, many will use lines under 20#. You don't need a 15-30# rod for that. If you can get that 10-25# blank, then that should be perfect for what you're looking to do.

The thing about most fast action live-bait blanks is they have that soft tip for the dellicate work, but generally have strong butt sections to bring the fish in when needed.

Best of luck.

Jay

I have never used heavier than 14 pound test for kings. Light drag and lots of open water. No real need for heavier line.