I have a request for a rod that I need some sugestions for. They want a rod for someone that fishes mostly snagging fisheries here in Alaska. Yes it is legal, and no I don't support this method as a sporting way to harvest fish. It is what it is though. They want the rod to be a 2 piece not over 7 feet baitcaster. It will need to have a substantial backbone to it as they will be throwing 2-4 oz weighted treble hooks, and when salmon get snagged in the back they put up a fight like you have never seen. Try pulling a snagged salmon sideways through the water and see what happens. If anyone has any idea's that may fit this request it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Kirk

A heavy duty Back Bouncing blank is your best bet. I believe several companies offer them in 7-footers and 2-piece design.

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Kirk...

Hello fellow Alaskan! The Batson Forecast RX6 is the material I would stick with in the Batson line of blanks. Otherwise, try and find a composite blank with a blend of fiberglass and graphite. And, the snagger will more than likely use 30 maxima chameleon, go with a blank that is rated for 50# line-like a saltwater jigging rod.

I respectfully tell those snaggers to go elsewhere if they want a rod built. Cause more than likely, the rod will come back to you in pieces. As you know, snaggers are very violent when snagging!

Take care Kirk!

Paul

Thank you for both of your inputs. I was thinking along the same line as you Paul. I dig those Batson RX6 Blanks. I have an RX6 8wt fly rod that I abuse every year on the Kenai, I have yet to break it. I used to tell people they were "Bullet Proof" until I had someone break one. Now I say they are tough almost 'Bullet Proof" but not "Idiot Proof". I am not sure what I will use yet, but I have some confidence in what I was thinking.
I hear what your saying on telling them to go elsewhere, but this is for a coworkers retirement. He is a great person, and I want this rod to be a small thanks for all that he has done over the last 40 years. I would normally encourage them to buy an Ugly Stick.

I sugesst you look at the Lamiglas site to the left. Look at their TRI-FLEX blanks which you will read are a graphite/glass composite blank. and some of their series come in two piece blanks. One advantage for having a glass tip is that the softer tip section which shortens up the moment arm to make it a little easier to pull in the foul hooked fish. Having said that I agree with previous statements concerning snagging. I further understand this practice is allowed because of the numbers of returning fish and the states knowledge of how many fish are needed to spawn to keep the numbers up. Finally it sounds like this is for an older gentleman whose numbers won't be as many and his years tapering off. Some time we feel the need to reward those who have selflessly worked so hard for us. I had a subordinate who did an outstanding job for me that it was the least I could do to build him a good fly rod with a color change weave on it to express my thanks.
Kerry

Texas Caddis anyone?

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