I plan to build a Surf spinning rod for a relitive as a gift. I have built several fresh water fly rods but know little or nothing about salt water rods. It would be a 10-11 ft graphite capable of handling 12-16 lb test line. Can someone out there turn turn me on to a supplier of reasonably priced salt water components.
Also, any tips on building salt water rods you would like to share would be greatly appreciated.

Ken

Check the "Fishsticks4U" link to the left. Robert's got a lot of knowledge on Surf Rods and has everything you need.

Mark Griffin
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C&M Custom Tackle
San Dimas, California

Ken,
I would go to the American Tackle, Batson Enterprises, and the Pacific Bay Websites. They all make reel seats and guides for a large variety of saltwater rods and their MSRP prices are quite reasonable. They have both all aluminum or graphite reel seats. Once you see what kind of components you want, then use one of the sponsors of this forum such as Angler's Workshop, Custom Tackle, or Fishsticks4U (as well as many others). Good luck.

Mike Blomme

ken ,
Mark Griffin has given you good advice. i find it amazing that one sponsor recommends another sponsor. that should tell you the quality of the people we deal with(Mark Griffin is @#$%&). Robert at fishsticks4u will be able to recommend a blank and all the components that go with it. he has a vast knowledge of surffishing and is great to deal with.

RodMaker Volume 7 #1 - everything you'd ever want to know about building and understanding surf rods.

................

Mud Hole Surf Rocket Rod Blanks they are one of the sponsers on the left.

Just FYI:

Surf fisherman usually pick their rods by how much weight they are planning to throw with it. The line rating is pretty useless when it comes to surf rods.

There is a huge difference in a surf rod that is designed to throw 2 or 3oz lures as opposed to launching 8oz of lead and bait a 100 yards into the ocean!

Let us know what your relative plans to do with this surf rod and I am sure we can give you a couple good options on blanks!

Great advice - I'll check around with one of his fishing buddies (my son doesn't know I'm planning to do this) and let you know.

Thanks, Ken

Good Info From Everyone!
Contact Robert at Fishstix He will set you up

He also has surf blanks on sale in the length Range

PacBay also makes surf blanks. When you figure out the weight it'll be throwing email me. Meanwhile, all of the sponsors can and the Fishsticks folks are super and have helped us a great deal.

Uncle Russ
Calico Creek Rods

FYI - THere are a few American Tackle Surf Blanks for sale on FishSticks4u website in the close-out category. They are half off of MSRP...

Looks like a great deal and may fit your needs!

Shawn

I can't really improve much on what's already been said, but I will add one piece of information: the more detailed information you can get on what the rod will be used for, and the type of fishing will be done with it, the better. People think of "surf fishing" as one activity, but there are dozens and dozens of different ways to fish the surf, and these different applications require different equipment.

Generally speaking, there are two different kinds of surf rods: rods for artificialing (throwing tins, plugs, jigs, etc.) and rods for bait fishing. Bait rods are virtually always longer, stouter, and heavier than their plugging counterparts. Finding out what this rod will be used for will be your most important task, and the more detail you can get the better. Even if you find that this will be a plugging rod, for example, there's a huge difference between a rod for small bucktails and little rubber jigs (like Storm Shads) than a rod meant to throw 2-5 ounce wooden striper plugs. From there any of the sponsors will get you equipped with the makings of a good setup.

And as for the actual nuts and bolts of building the rod: forget about it. If you can build a freshwater fly rod, a surf rod is no problem (I think surf rods are actually easier, because the components are bigger, and you don't have to work with tiny spaces). Surf rods do the same things that other fishing rods do, they're just bigger and heavier. Good luck.

Thanks all for the super response and great advice. After considering all your recommendations, I did a bunch of research, got more particulars on how the rod would be used, then took Mark Griffin's advise and got in touch with Robert at FishSticks4U and laid it all out in front of him. He took the time (on a Sunday) to work with me and we came up with a package of components which should result in a nice final product.
I also ordered RodBuilder Mags Volume 7#1 which hopefully will fill in some of the voids (which are many) in my surf rod building knowledge base - Thanks for that tip Tom

Once again, Thanks Guys!

Ken

What blank did you end up getting?

Batson Rainshadow 1418