Hi Guys, I've built a few rods on dancraft ft blanks, I like them but I find the ft904 I have been using for a #5 is to stiff and power full a rod for a real #5 line.So i'd like your opion on some #5 blanks, the pacbay Rainforest II Series im7 blanks in 4 piece the dancraft v series 905 blanks or dancraft ftl 905 blanks or any other nice 9' to 9'6" #5 blanks.
All the best Dave

Try a 6 WT line on it. The more weight should give you better performance.

Whether or not your line loads the rod depends on how much line you have the past tip. Remember, 30 feet of 5-weight line doesn't weigh the same as 60 feet of 5-weight line.

Which brings us back to the main problem in the fly fishing industry - no standard for rod ratings. One company's 5-weight rod is another company's 7-weight rod and yet both are correctly rated within the confines of the wholly subjective "system" now in place.

It will be helpful to you if you can find the CCS figures for your blank (you can measure it yourself) and see how much power it has. Then you'd want to find one that's a bit lower in order to better suit what you're doing with a 5-weight line and the distances you normally fish at.


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I'd talk to Dan about your next selection. I haven't used all the new Sig V blanks so I can't guarantee anyhing, but I built on the 9 ft 6 in 6 wt for myself and it is definitely a true 6 wt and a pleasure to fish. I have yet to use a FTL blank that wasn't a pleasure to use too, very easy to fish or to teach others on.

I agree with Spencer. The FTL blanks aren't as fast as the FT's but they are a pleasure to use. For my own use the FT blanks serve my needs superbly. I have a 9' 2# FT that I usually match with a 5# line and a 9' 3# FT that prefer to fish with a 6# line in large rivers. If I fish smaller streams calling for lighter lines I find the slightly slower FTL's make a great rod. Everyones needs and casting styles as well as conditions vary some somewhat so I would recommend that you visit with Dan as to your needs and desires in a rod. He is very helpful.

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

Hi Guys , Thanks for the replys. I am looking for a true #5 blank, I dont want to over line the rod I all ready have.Thats why I asked has anyone had any thing to do with the pacbay rainforest II im7 blanks 9' #5 blanks 4 pce.I have checked out the common cents info and can see why the dancraft 9' #4 is to powerfull for my needs.The pacbay seems to be in the 5 wieght range. All the best Dave

The Rainshadow RX8+ blanks I have CC'd are right on the money and they are well finished blanks.

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

David,
As a Matter of curiosity how would you describe, "a true five weight blank"? If a blank casts a five weight line well and has a CCS rating indicating that it has the power of a five weight and performs accordingly is it somehow flawed? Regardless of the manufacturers designation or intended purpose it would seem to me that a blanks performance is in the end the most important criteria but I may be missing something.
Stan

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

There is no such thing as a "true" 5-weight blank. Such an animal doesn't exist. Any rod will cast a 5-weight line at some distance, so they would all be "true" 5-weight blanks in that regard.

I think what you want is a blank that will easily load and cast a 5-weight line at the distance that you personally use it at. This requires figuring out how much power you need and pegging that to a blank with a power rating (ERN) that allows you to do just that.

All my "5-weight" rods have ERNs of from about 5.7 to 6.2. That's perfect for what I do, but it may not be perfect for what you do with a 5-weight line.

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