Hey all,
I am a fly fisherman that has built a few fly rods but I don't spin fish and have never built a spin rod.

My wifes family has a small place up in Maine that has some great striper fishing. The place is in desperate need of a few resident spin rods to be used by everyone from kids to adults. Anyone have suggestions on an appropriate spin blank for saltwater striper fishing that is way cheap? Figure this would be a great gift to the house and help me hone my building skills!!

Thanks,
Chris



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/04/2007 07:01AM by Chris Calandrelli.

I would find a 1 piece e-glass blank for price. You can't beat glass for general rough use by everyone as they can take a whoopin. Check out the Forecast SWB70ML or SWB70M cheap and well made. Fishticks4U on the sponsors list can help ya. Mudhole has a Value eglass blank thats very cheap, never used them but for the price it might be worth calling them about it. I would also look into the Gatorglass blanks from Mudhole, tough as nails, kinda unfinished looking but cheap and would last forever. I would think Maine has some big stripers? Something like 6'-7' and 12-20 or 15-25 lbs?

Forecast Eglass from Fish Sticks 4U Call Robert he will provide expert advise on everything you need .

Keith

Thanks
Keith Lovegrove

Sorry double post



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/04/2007 10:41AM by Simon Oakley.

Try the Batson glass spinning and casting line of blanks. Part number starts with SPG great blanks for the price. Or the glass saltwater blanks Part number SWB they would be my number one choice for kids. They will take a bit of abuse kids will give them like trying to pull the line off snags using the rod and being dropped ect.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/04/2007 10:52AM by Simon Oakley.

Some good suggestions about using glass for these 'community' rods. They are going to suffer some rough treatment(believe me!0 and glass will do the trick. Learn to replace guides and don't look too surprised when someone manages to break one. They can break an anvil with a broom straw. C2

Chris , Forecast SPG blanks are the way to go . Low price and very tough.

Robert

thanks for all the input!

Chris

Hello Chris
Forcast spg's are tough and very good values. They make great kids rods too. Only thing better is phenolic blanks for toughness and they are not longer made. I have some Phenolic blanks and covet them for kids trout rods. You might check with Ken Preston to see if he knows of a source for Phenolic blanks in your Stripper Country.
Joe Kassuba

In addition to the previous posts.
I would go with a foam handle and only about 5 guides.
For this type rod, there is no sense in going crazy on guides either.
You should be able to get the total rod for about $20.

Or you could pick up a half dozen rods lik this which would be expendable:

[www.basspro.com]

Take care
Roger

Hi Chris,

Something you might want to consider..................I've bought Brand name rods,

some $40-70 rods at garage sales for 2-10 bucks, because they had a tip broken,

guide needed replacement, handle was grungy and etc. Because we are a throw

away society, there is a great opportunity for a rod builder to take advantage of this.