I am building a baitcasting rod for a raffle. The rod will be used to fish NC lakes and reservoirs, primarily for largemouth bass. I have a blue gloss Forecast blank-SB-843 rated for lure weight 3/8-3/4 ounce and 8-17 lb. test line. I haven't fished for bass in years and never with a baitcaster. This blank is nice but feels a little stiff (fast tip-Medium Action). Does this sound like a good choice to use for this application? Any help, suggestions are welcome-David Spence, Beaufort, NC

By the specs you posted it seems to me like it would make a great worm or jig rod. Promote it as such and even have a decal made, maybe something like North Carolina Worm and Jig Special wth the specs listed on the decal.

Lance

Perfect Bass rod.

DR

I agree with DR. I use a similar rod as my general Largemouth rod.

Thanks for the input-What would be right size guides for micro set-up. Haven't decided on spiral or on-top-the spiral might scare some of these guys away but still considering it to teach them about it. Any input appreciated on set-up of guides, and reel seat. I'm going with carbon fiber grips. Thanks Again-David Spence, Cape Custom Rods, Beaufort, NC

David,

I use a double foot six, single foot 5, and then single foot 3s to the tip. This set of guides works well in both an on top and spiral configuration. Especially when you don't know what size reel is going on the rod. The extra height of the df 6 works well with most bass sized round reels and is fine with low profile reels as well.

Joe

I have tried all of the small ring guides and the #4 Alconite has become my favorite. They are almost as small and nearly the same weight as a Batson #3, and much less expensive than the LSG3.5. Now you can get Alconite tips in a 4.5 ring to fit most standard blanks, this is a huge improvement over what we had to do in the past for a tip.

Most of my rods I start with a double foot #6 then a single foot #5 then all #4 the rest of the way, sometimes I eliminate the double foot and start with the single foot #5.

My preferred reel seat is the CastAway that I cut to make a 2 piece seat. I like it better than a Minima seat because you don’t need to install an arbor in the threaded half.

Don't see the trigger seats on the Swampland site-also, what is the preferred method of cutting them? Thanks!

David, here's a link to the trigger seats.

[swamplandtackle.com]

Here is a link to the CastAway trigger reel seats. Lots of ways to cut a reel seat, I just use a fine tooth saw then smooth everything out with files and sandpaper. A band saw and belt sander would probably be the fastest method, but you would have to be careful not to go too far.

[www.swamplandtackle.com]

Here is how:

The flat is left for reel foot stability - stick is used to monitor setting on blank during glue up.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

And do not pass up the opportunity use all the same size micro for on top builds - you will soon discover a big surprise.

Thanks guys-I saw that seat on the site but didn't see the trigger part and assumed it was a spinning seat-Thanks for all the input. Bill-I assume that the same size micros on top make it cast like a dream-is that right? I don't used a baitcaster much (or well) so I appreciate your input! David

Castaway cut and complete: [www.rodbuilding.org]

Once you hack the seat into 2 pieces, I like using a grinding wheel with 80grit paper on the lathe to shape the ends.

DR

Bill Stevens Wrote:
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> And do not pass up the opportunity use all the
> same size micro for on top builds - you will soon
> discover a big surprise.


Bill, it is a very pleasant surprise indeed.

Joe