Im looking to make a Cheap bottom rod. Going to be using 80lb powerpro on a high speed reel. Mostly on the east coast bottom fishing around wreaks. Most fish will be around 25-30lb sometimes we get big guys in the 80s. Want it to be about 8 ft. Any Ideas on blanks?

If you are going to the Rod Expo you will find some reaaly good prices on all types of blanks

A shorter rod will give you a LOT more leverage, however Gator Glass KC50-96 will handle anything you can give it. I actually just bent one of those blanks this morning (wednesday) in Mudhole.
The other one in the lower price range I would look at is American Tackle's SPSWBXXXH. Both these blanks are 8' and very inexpensive. Match it with American Tackle HDHG turbo guides and you have yourself an outfit capable of defeating big fish and not too much of a dent in the wallet department. I build this type of rod VERY often over here in Orlando for guys bottom fishing out of Canaveral.

I prefer to build on the gator blank, but the American Tackle blank has just as much, if not more power and is just a tad bit slower.

Maybe batsons e-glass series of saltwater blanks or the pure fiber glass.

Keith,

What do you mean by 'cheap'?

Jann's (and I'm sure some sponsors here, but I have the Jann's catalog in front of me) sells a 6' 8" solid fiberglass blank rated for 50-80 pound line for under $17...you can get three for around $50. A suitable butt extension, and you have an 8' bottom rod that will tow an aircraft carrier....heavy, though.

Buddy Sanders

Keith,
I also fish the east coast, mid-Atlantic, both bottom and wreck fishing. I built two American Tackle ATX graphite rods for bottom fishing. They are light in weight , light on the wallet and do a great job on fish.

I personally like the rainshadow forcast e-glass rods also, tuff as nails straight and has nice paint job.

Thanks for all the Replys.Im still not sure which one Im going to go with Im going to look at all the ones you guys suggested. Where do most of you guys order your blanks from.?Mudhole?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/18/2008 12:36AM by Keith Staats.