Hi there Chaps

Been a while since my last post but I need your help again.
I'm thinking of wrapping or grtting wrapped a short XH stand-up tuna stick with a length of around 50" to 60" - yes that short really.
I'm hoping you will able to provide with some food for thought on blanks, guides etc....
At present I'm leaning towards a Calstar Grafighter 755xh (and a hacksaw) for the blank and a mixture of Amtaks and fuji extra heavy silicone single leggers with a (acid) roller tip, it will be 'acid' wrapped of course.
( Shorter blank = more torque i reckon?) Reelseat would probably be a (metal) PacBay.
For those who don't remember me and why should you I live in the UK so won't get a lot of opportunity to play before I buy.

Any help greatly appreciated
regards
Jeremy

What reel do you plan on pairing it with ?

I've got some shorty blanks available that have been seeing some tuna action lately. Contact me through Riley Rods on the left.

A shorter blank will reduce the fish's leverage advantage on you. This allows you to whip him more quickly and do without the need for a fighting chair.

I would advise you to carefully consider the type fighting harness you'll be using prior to building the rod. The location of the reel seat and butt length depend entirely on the harness you'll use.

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

Sean Endres just built a 6' GUSA URJ 500 for the owner of Trophy Tackle. He's goign to fish it stand up and on teh rail with a John Baker which puts out 44# of drag out of the box. I think he put All American Rollers on it, not the Acid Rollers. Industrial grade Shrink tube over Hypalon, I think Aftco seat & Gimbal.

Hi Chaps

I know this isn't a 'reel' board but I've just checked out the John Baker reels as being a tackle deprived limey I'd never heard of them - man they are pretty and a very good price.
My only reservation is that from my admitably inexperienced point of view they seem a little light on line capacity ? One 200 yard plus run and the spool diameter is getting very low and the drag very high and in need of major attention.

Ok back to the rod I was thinking harness wise of something like a Smitty or somesuch with a low heavy duty gimbal belt arrangement so I can get down and dirty with the beasts. I'd of fit the butt 'furniture' once I have the required harness. Again the situation re. the harness is 'fluid' and as yet I haven't down complete 'due diligence' on it.

So how/should this influence my choice of blank and is the Grafighter with a little surgery still a good choice ?
If so where should I cut it to get the optimum length?
Are there any blanks already the required length or are all the readymade rods 'lop' jobs?

regards and thanks again
Jeremy