I have a potential customer who wants a 13' steelhead float rod with a little slower action (as opposed to fast) but still enough backbone for fighting fish. Is the Batson Rain Shadow IST1562F a good blank choice? Second, he uses a center-pin reel, what do you suggest for guides and placement? Is there a variation on the New Concept system for this application?

Thanks much,

ML

That blank is a mod fast action. And it is heavy. I built a rod on that blank and I did not like the results. If you can find a G.Loomis Frontier blank in a 13 footer I would highly recommend it. You might want to try the 2S130LM2 from St Croix. lighter power than the Loomis, and a bit faster action, seems like a good fit for just over the $100. mark.

The Batson XST1562-3 is a real nice one I have one to work on right now. Raven also makes a nice blank for the money. As far as guides go for a center pin try concept 20,16,12,10, 8lj the rest of the way up. I would not go below 8s if he will be fishing in below freezing as they will ice up fast and leaving them a little bigger helps.

I have been a longtime Loomis builder and know exactly what you are going through, I had to search for a long time myself. I would definately take a hard look at the Rainshadow XST. I just finished building a 13 ft. 2 pc. for a friend. He is a diehard float fisherman who is mainly fishing Steelhead with it and really likes it alot because it is lightweight and has great action. In the past 3 months he has landed over 200 of the Chromers with this rod and now he won’t trade it for the world. I would stick with the 2 piece blank, not the 3 piece if you want comparable action, it should handle the line weight you are talking about, this is my opinion. I found the Rainshadow blank to be very straight, easy to work with and it has a nice finish.

The XST's are excellent blanks. I built one of the 3pce blanks to take to Alaska this year and it performed flawlessly.
The 2 pce is a bit of a pain to transport but it is lighter in the hand.
I'll get to play with one my buddy has next week. :)
I run my guides like Eric above ^^^

Regards
Dave

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