I just came back from a fishing trip and have decided I'd like to build myself a float rod for steelhead fishing this winter. Does anyone know where to purchase blanks? Also, I'd like to get some info on guide selection, placement etc.. The rod I tried on the trip was a BassPro Shop with a spinning reel (which was kinda noodlely and I did'nt really care for) but being a fly fisherman I think I'd like to try a centerpin or fly reel set-up to fish floats. Any suggestions?

Batson makes an RX7 13 foot float rod blank that is very good and priced nicely.
IST1562F Oly. Grn./M. Clr. 13'0" 2 6-10 lb. 0.490 5.0 Moderate Fast 4.37 oz. $110.68

Plus they now make some 13 foot RX8 Blanks
XST1562F Titanium Chrome 13'0" 2 6-10 lb. 0.475 4.0 Moderate Fast 3.35 oz. $133.78
XST1562-3 Titanium Chrome 13'0" 3 6-10 lb. 0.530 4.5 Moderate Fast 3.88 oz. $160.91

Raven makes float rod blanks from 13 to 15 feet in IM6, IM8 and IM9 graphites. PM me for info.
A friend in south western Ontario has been working with CTS and has come up with a line of beautiful float rod blanks in matte green 13'6" and 15' currently available. PM me for contact info.

Regards
Dave

Fishing is Life the rest is just Details

This a basic Center pin set up with blue ring up grades

Rod Blank Model # Rainshadow XST1562-3
Butt cap: EVABC20
Front Cap:
Rear Grip: RG10A
Handle Arbor:
Reel Seat: GS17C-B
Reel Seat Shim SHIM17SPIN
Foregrip: FG11
Winding Check: BWC10
Hookeeper: BHKS
Tip Top BLUT06R04.0
1st guide from tip top BFUG07
2nd guide from tip top BFUG07
3rd guide from tip top BFUG07
4th guide from tip top BFUG07
5th guide from tip top: BFUG07
6th guide from tip top: BFUG08
7th guide from tip top: BFUG08
8th guide from tip top: BFUG10
9th guide from tip top: BFUG10
10th guide from tip top: BVSUG12
11th guide from tip top: BVSUG16
12th guide from tip top: BVSUG20
13th guide from tip top:
14th guide from tip top:
15th guide from tip top:
16th guide from tip top:
Guide spacing Specs(inches from tip, center ring over mark) 4-9-15-22-30-39-49-60-72-85-99.5-115.5

Here is a West Coast spin set up.

Rod Blank Model # IST1562
Butt cap: SBC20B
Front Cap:
Rear Grip: RGS12A-350
Handle Arbor:
Reel Seat: BPSTG16 & BPSTG16-SN-B THREADS DOWN
Reel Seat Shim SHIM16SPIN
Foregrip: FG25A-250 OR NO FORE GRIP AT ALL
Winding Check: BWC10
Hookeeper: TCHKS
Tip Top BLUT06F05.0
1st guide from tip top BVSUG06
2nd guide from tip top BVSUG06
3rd guide from tip top BVSUG06
4th guide from tip top BVSUG06
5th guide from tip top: BVSUG06
6th guide from tip top: BVSUG07
7th guide from tip top: BVSUG07
8th guide from tip top: BVSUG08
9th guide from tip top: BVSUG10
10th guide from tip top: BVS3TUG12
11th guide from tip top: BVS3TUG16
12th guide from tip top: BVS3TUG25
13th guide from tip top:
14th guide from tip top:
15th guide from tip top:
16th guide from tip top:
Guide spacing Specs(inches from tip, center ring over mark) 4-9-15-22-30-39-49-60-72-85-99.5-115.5

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

Talon Graphite and Lamiglas also make nice float rod blanks, just depends on the line weight and action you want. Angler's Workshop can get them along with the Rainshadows. Angler's is in the same town as G Loomis and Talon, right next door to Lamiglas.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/17/2008 08:02PM by Spencer Phipps.

Both Karry and Spencer gave you some excellent choices. What rivers well you be fishing?
Good Wraps Bob

Rogue makes some wonderful blanks and rods:

[www.roguerods.com]


On this site; you can also download their blank catalog.

Take care
Roger

Thanks very much for all the info guys, you're great!.
Bob, I live in CT so I fish the Great Lakes tribs.

Mark,
Where in CT?

"It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble.It's what you know for sure that just ain't so." Mark Twain
John in Wethersfield, CT