Good morning guys,
I am looking for a specific style of blank at a reasonable price. Here is the application what it is used for.

In the summer local anglers fish deep cribs (20 to 35 feet deep) for suspended bluegills and crappies. An ant fly, tipped with a wax worm is cast out about the same number of feet from the boat as the fish are suspended from the bottom. A small split shot is on the line also. As the fly and split shot swing through the water column on a tight line the gills/crappies will pick off the fly as it goes past them. This is NOT vertical jigging. The anglers that use this technique far and away outfish the vertical jiggers. The rods that we use now are custom built on a St. Croix SCIII or SCII ultralight spin blanks. They work perfect. They load with a small split shot and fly. The angler can also see the bite in the tip and feel the bite through the reel seat. They also have enough backbone to set the hook on deep water fish. Problem is.............. most anglers that fish for panfish in this manner don't want to spend the $ for a custom rod on a St. Croix blank for this application. I need to find a blank with similar action, power, loading characteristics for a much lower price. I have tried the Batson Forecast light spin SB780 light rated for 1/16 to 5/16 ounce lures. The lure rating is about right but it is just a little on the stiff side for loading this split shot and fly for casting

Any suggestions??????????
Buzz Butters
B&B Custom Rods
Ripon, WI

Check out the ulrta-light and light action rods from Dorber.

Buzz,
you might check the Lamiglas IFW78-UL

IFW78-UL 6'6 1pc 2-8 lb. 1/8-3/8 oz. .35 Butt OD 5 tip 1 3/4 oz. $27.00

Todd

Regards,
Todd Vivian
Mud Hole Custom Tackle

todd@mudhole.com

Buzz,
Suprisingly enough, some of the ultra light blanks that are unsanded from Mudhole fill just such a purpose.
You sometimes have to sort through a couple to find the right one, but you can get them for less than $10.
Take care
Roger

The Forecast SB720 has more of a Mod/Fast Bass taper.

Try the Forecast SP720 you will find it more on the moderate side.

Karry Batson
Batson Enterprises Inc.
Ph: (877) 875-2381
Fax: (360) 683-3579
karry@batsonenterprises.com
www.batsonenterprises.com

Buzz, Depending on length, some of the Tiger Eye blanks we have would be well suited for this application. be happy to work with you to find the right one. Joe

Joe Douglas

Buzz (and Karry),

I am a great fan of the Batson IP840. This rod may lack the "backbone" you desire but I find this rod to be very sensitive. I fish it with 4lb test all the time. There is also a SC III that is similar and I can get at about the same price. I forgot the exact number but it has similar chacteristics. IMO a sensitve rod is more forgiving than one with a lot of backbone. If you want more details send me an email.

Ed Smith
Flat Rock, NC

Buzz,
In SE Asia, New Zealand and some areas of Australia, they are using a similar tactic called spin-fly. There are now dedicated blanks for this style of fishing that originated from the prawn fishing rods and the fly rods. Now they have their own blanks made for the purpose. I have tried, with success using the Seeker 7 foot 2 piece rod rated 1-4 lb test with decent success. It did better after I spiral wrapped it and used it with a Shimano Scorpion 1000 4x4. The size of fish landable with this rig is incredible, and if you can cast well with a baitcaster, the distance is pretty good too using just small flies. So far, I have only been throwing small clousers. Hope this helps.

Try the Am Tackle Matrix UL. I have a 5' one I did, rated 1/32-1/8, but I have thrown 1/4 or 5/16 oz rapalas as well.

[www.troutmagnet.com]
1/64 oz hook with a tiny jig head, and the rubber body. Throws these very nicely!! $26 at Mudhole.