Entering a new realm...building the first rod for someone other than myself...kind of scary!

Going to be a Christmas gift for my 11 year old nephew at the request of my sister in law. They are big RV camping folks, so I think the rod will be used for a variety of light freshwater applications from trout in streams to bluegill and bass in lakes. I am guessing something that will throw small spinners (rooster tails, beetle spins, etc.), bobbers and bait, small plugs, etc.) would work great, maybe a 6 foot blank. I am going to be responsible for buying the reel also...thining a Stradic 1000 or 2500. Within reason, and knowing that it is for a child, I want to consider durability and cost, but I want to provide him a quality, useful rod. I have never built any freshwater stuff, so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Also, I will use the concept guide system to set up the rod. I have done this for some saltwater rods, with the "intersect" guides being #8 flys (Fuiji BLAG-8J) using Tom K's article and great guidance from some of you. Based on that article, its seems like #6's might be more appropriate...any advice with laying out such a "lighter" rod as described above?

Thanks in advance!

Scott Hunt

Scott -

Here is a GREAT choice for what you want to accomplish ...

St Croix 2S60LF4
Fuji Alconite Guides ... 25, 16, 10, 8, 6, 6
Fuji Alconite Tip ... 6(4.0)
St Croix Handle Kit HKS-2 (If you prefer)
St Croix Travel Case RC-22

For the reel, a Daiwa Exceler 1500 is a VERY nice reel for any price. It comes with a spare aluminum spool even.

This combo would be very high quality, portable and durable.

Jim -

Another the Batson SB720-4 , I like Jim's reel choice but I bet you could decrease the bigger guides by one size each and hurt nothing performancewise. The Okuma reels also hold up very well in a kids hands.

Thanks guys! I may have mis-lead ya'll with some of the background info above...the rod definetly does not need to be "packable/stowable". I think that a 2 piece or 1 piece blank will be fine. Their RV is huge and storage is not an issue.

I'm inclined to agree with spencer.
Being it's for a boy I would go Batson everything except reel.
Great products at more reasonable prices.
I'm with spencer on the guides also.

I wasn't concerned with storage in the RV, but the packables are great for the kids on bikes as they have a rod shorter than their bikes bar width which increases it's chances of survival. Being a Spin Bass blank will give a bit more backbone for bass.

Here is another thought.
The new Batson Forecast Downrigger blank in the "L" light action.
It is very flexible in the first 1/3 of the blank, but has some backbone.
It should be very durable, is a blend of "E" glass and RX6 Graphite.
Nice light glass tip going into graphite backbone.
The price is right also.
Here is a link;
[www.schneidersrods.com]

We are building some of these in our shop and should be a big hit for lighter fish, but with enough power for bigger ones.
Hope this helps,

Best wishes,
Ron Schneider
Schneider's Rod Shop
Mountain Home, Arkansas
[www.schneidersrods.com]
mtnron40@yahoo.com
870-424-3381

Here is a spec of a basic all around kit! Many up grades available.

Description:
Rod Blank Model # ISP843F-M
Butt cap: SBC20B
Front Cap:
Rear Grip: RG9A-345
Handle Arbor:
Reel Seat: GS17C-B
Reel Seat Shim SHIM17SPIN
Foregrip: FG25A-250
Winding Check: BWC09
Hookeeper: BHKS
Tip Top BPLt06R05.0
1st guide from tip top BVSLG06
2nd guide from tip top BVSLG06
3rd guide from tip top BVSLG07
4th guide from tip top BVSLG07
5th guide from tip top: BVSLG08
6th guide from tip top: BVSLG10
7th guide from tip top: BVSLG16
8th guide from tip top: BVSLG30
9th guide from tip top:
10th guide from tip top:
11th guide from tip top:
12th guide from tip top:
13th guide from tip top:
14th guide from tip top:
15th guide from tip top:
16th guide from tip top:
Guide spacing Specs(inches from tip, center ring over mark) 4.5-9.25-14.25-19.75-25.75-32.5-40-49

Quantum has some very nice reels suitable for this rig at substantially lower cost that the ones mentioned above. Their reels are built well and work great. You can save some serious money, too.

A baston RX7 would be my choice, probably the ISB822.5 and I'd chop off some of the butt to get the length I wanted. This blank will handle everything from light spinner's to landing big catfish.

Reel would be a Daiwa Capricorn, no question about it. Very nice reel that will last forever with no maintance, just like his new rod.

DR