I have built two offshore rods (one spiral wrapped standup and one spiral wrapped tuna jigging stick) both rods with a "blank through" butt construction using a slick butt or tuff butt type nylon sleeve for the rear grip to facilitate removal from a boat rod holder.

I am looking to build two 30lb class and two 50lb class standup tuna rods on Calstar blanks. I wanted to build using a similar blank-through construction. Both will be used for chunking and trolling duty for tuna so I don't want an EVA or Hypalon rear grip.

The 30lb blank has a 0.68" OD at the reel seat and a 0.84" maximum diamater. The 50lb blank is a little larger diameter. I didn't want to go with a unibutt/ferrule style construction.

What are my options for building a blank-through butt (aluminum or nylon) for these types/size rods? I saw some old catalogs with one-piece Aftco "bored" aluminum butts but from the specs these seem a little too narrow bore to fit these sized blanks.

I have the RodMakers magazine issue on Stand-up rod construction but it doesn't go into much depth on the options for a blank-through construction butt.

Thanks,
Joe.

You can cover it with anything that will easily hold up to your rod holders and not create any problems with getting the rods out of the holders when under pressure.

You might want to consult with Mike Pederson at Riley Rods about his foam-core, carbon-skinned grips. He's using these just as you propose to do with the grips on your rods. It's one more option to consider.

Beyond that, the hard nylon tuff or slick butts are pretty hard to beat.

And there is always the old stand-by bored wood butts.

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

Thanks Tom. I will have a look at Riley Rods. If anyone has an aluminum but suggestion I'd like to hear that also.

Joe.

Stick with the slick butts. Those cannot be beat..imo...


There are bottle butts with seats that can meet that diameter. or you can trim a couple of inches off the butt where it is the most wide with out any issues.

The slick butts are nice --but weight a ton !!

Bill - willierods.com

Joe, The Stuart Tackle TuffButt may be exactly what you are looking for, basically a full length blank through style of unibutt. Difference is its not aluminum on the outside.

Thanks Sean,

My only hesitation with theTuffButt was the nylon gimbal (I prefer aluminum there) but it looks like the gimbal is a separate component so I may try to just put an aluminum one in its place.

Thanks,
Joe.

When you order you could probably have the supplier switch it.

Bill - willierods.com

I use tuna cord and the green halibut leader real tuna cord is actually seine cord used for repair of large nets and the green halibut leader is a hard lay nylon.

I scuff the blank with 400 grit paper and then apply a coating of U40 and then wrap on the cord from the tip end to the butt you'll need to twist and pack the cord from the butt end to the tip starting at the tip end, yes you get quite messy with the rod bond but in order to get the tension on the wraps you need to push, twist and snug it up good before the U40 sets.

I've raised a serious blister on my left thumb building these but it makes a hard and very long lasting grip and blisters heal. :)

Here's a pic of an ATX 60XH 50-80# stand up tuna stick that I recently did with a cord wrap deckhand style grip, this grip will outlast me.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Here's another one (Work in progress) that's all black and using # 48 cord.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Jan,

Stellar looking grips. Where do you get the cord that you use? I am not familiar with them.

Thanks,
Joe.

I get my cord at a place called Englund Marine here in Eureka Ca. most places that cater to commercial fishermen have the stuff on hand.

This is the company that makes the black cord I use.

[catlinefishing.com]

I think Acid Rod (C&M tackle) carries the black stuff too and can probably get the green cord as well.

Joe, Just FYI Janns Netcraft carries the hard braid green stuff under net repair.