Tom,

As a newbie I'm having a blast reading these post and gaining knowledge from all the posters. I don't reply much because I don't know much. I was once told by my grandfather "It's better to remain silent and be thought dumb, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." Having said that, since I don't have the knowledge base to contribute to the conversation (unless you want me to start a newbie column called what you shouldn't do or lessons learned) I will be glad to volunteer as one of the two people you need to measure official distance or whatever you need done for this exercise.

Sam

I just may take you up on that.

..........

What the heck. I'm in (or I'll stand on the sidelines and measure) if I get there in time on Friday afternoon.

Summarizing:

1/ Wt to toss 3/8 oz.
2/ Max length 6.5 feet
3/ Either spinning or casting (conventional) reel
4/ Mono or braid (either one or both).
5/ 'Qualifying' cast 125' (kinda like 'jacks or better to open)? Then "best of 5".

Was there a resolution on line wt? Is this the way to go? Set the line wt at say 4 or 6lbs for mono and 10 or 20 for braid (something of equivalent diameter to the mono)?

I have something in the works and will list the requirements in a couple weeks.

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

Ok ... although I just poured through a couple of dozen blanks.

Black Label I hope!

Indeed -Johnny Walker

There would be different categories for mono and braid. We will specify a particular brand and size for both - they will be readily available so everyone will have access to them for their own test casting.

The blank length will be limited to 6 feet, 6 inches in length.

I need to over to the ShowPlace and take some measurements but I suspect 3/8 ounce will be the casting weight.

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

Richard,
Upon further review I've made an error in the blank I suggested in my earlier post. The blank should have been the Cabela's IM7 1-piece 6'6" fast MH IM7C663.
Same price blank, a little more difficult to cast so it wouldn't have been a good choice for me.
It does have a larger tip top.
Hope this hasn't been too much of an inconvience.

Gene

I think that the caster will have a huge impact on the distance. Technique of casting could easily overcome a better build.. I'd love to see the build specs of the top three builds.

Mo

No doubt - I had a builder in here last week cast one of my rods. He could only hit 120 feet or so with it. I was pushing past 150 with the same rod. But a few simple casting tips got him out beyond 130.

But that's okay - you can have someone else cast your rod or do it yourself and have others cast it after the contest. I'm sure there will be a lot of that thing going on. We may add a practice casting lane on the other side of the lot for that type of thing.

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

I can see it now. The Rod owner pulling up with a tow rig and enclosed trailer with plenty of parts to repair the rod along with a back up. A crew chief to set up the reel according to weather conditions, and the caster showing up in his million dollar motor coach just in time to cast . Sort of like NASCAR.

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

Fred!!! Good to see you posting - where is Tunnel Man - this thread is special soap mouth material! I am quite sure a few casting shills will arrive for the contest in a private motor coach or limo - my hired gun will be flown in from Birmingham and will be arriving by parachute drop! Do you remember the saying on the back collar of the shirt last year? It really will be appropriate this year!

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Laissez Les Bon Ton Roule!

Tom Kirkman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There would be different categories for mono and
> braid. We will specify a particular brand and size
> for both - they will be readily available so
> everyone will have access to them for their own
> test casting.
>
> The blank length will be limited to 6 feet, 6
> inches in length.
>
> I need to over to the ShowPlace and take some
> measurements but I suspect 3/8 ounce will be the
> casting weight.
>
> ...............


Tom,

You may want to consider a 1/4 ounce plug (7.5 grams) to minimize distance and impact.

Please see link for reference to plugs and distances attainable as well as plug pictures.
[www.stripersonline.com]

For comparison, I measured an 18 gram ICSF plug. Length 2 1/2 inches and a diameter 7/8 inch.

I do not know the rod or line diameters used.

Don

Don Becker



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/08/2009 12:39AM by Don Becker.

I'm going to take a few measurements and then determine what length and casting weight will keep us within the confines of the lot, although I think we can go up to 3/8 ounce without running out of room.

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

The ACA rods are more than two times the length of the rods proposed -

The ACA isn't paying for the ShowPlace parking lot.

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

3/8 seems a little heavy for a spinning rod, a more real life test would be half of that. I wouldn’t use a spinning rod to cast a 3/8oz bait and if I did it certainly wouldn’t be 6’6” long. I have been in the parking lot so I appreciate needing to keep the distance in check, but it would be a shame to have to build a rod that you wouldn’t want to fish with after the competition. I plan to come with a rod built just like I build my own rods for fishing, but I consider a rod that short a special application rod, everything I fish with is 7 foot or longer.

There is no length nor weight requirement that will suit everyone. The top length in terms of blanks sales for the freshwater market is 6'6". A casting weight of 3/8 ounce is smack in the middle of the most popular lure weight rating for freshwater fishing. Those facts, coupled with the size of the lot we have to work with will dictate the criteria for the contest. That's the best we can do.

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



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/08/2009 11:07AM by Tom Kirkman.

Tom,
Have you made your deal on the line specification.
If so what will the diameter be ?

Gene