I am planning on building either a 5'or 6' ultralight spinning rod for panfish that will be rated for 4lb. line as well as 1/64 oz. lure weight, and ultimately made up of premium components. What brand of blanks, guides, and reel seats would you recommend for this project?

I would use M guides and a cork TN handle. Light & simple.

Personally, I would use the fuji Titanium TATSG spinning guides, then TLSG running guides, and an NPS18 reel seat (downlocking). Then, I'd use very little cork at the rear of the reel seat (maybe 2-4 rings) for my butt.

I'm with chuck
Batson Match guides and tip (M guides)
Tennessee handle no seat. Except I would use graphite instead of cork
I would also use a Batson blank




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/13/2007 10:40PM by Steve Gardner.

Ron, do you want it to be ultra-light in action and weight or just in action?

Chuck

Lots of good suggestions here - I would also recommend M frame guides for the first 2-3 from the butt, then SF ceramic fly guides in sz 6 to the tip. You say 5 or 6 foot. Unless there is some reason to go short, like fishing brushy areas with little room, I'd HIGHLY recommend at least a 6' rod - you get alot better casting distance, more protection for the light line, and better fish fighting capability. If you want a cool ultralight rod - go find a 7' , 0 power popping rod blank - great action and they make a great ultralight.

Hey Ron,
If you are interested in keeping the rod weight down, I would have to recommend the NIA Titan Singlefoots. You could even transition down to the NIF Fly guides. I would use a cork handle and possibly even shave it down once it is glued on the rod for thinner and lighter grips. I would probably use a light, size 16 graphite seat.

Chase Foster
American Tackle
www.americantackle.us

If you want a light weight grip you can turn it out of brick foam arbor material and flock it. I've done this with several UL spinning rods with good results.

Stan Grace
Helena, MT
"Our best is none too good"

I would recommend, if you haven't already, you read the article in Volume 10 #1 of Rodmaker on building an ultralight rod. The timing for this article was perfect for me as I was just about to build a "standard" 5 foot ultralight. I took the recommendation of Tom in the article and built a 6'-6" rod. I used a Batson blank, "M" guides, Andy's cork with a brick foam core to lose some weight and a size 18 reel seat. It is a fantastic ultralight rod. Don't go too small on the reel seat, if you do, you will feel the fatigue in your hand in short order.

Good Building!

Paul Schendel