I just got back from a 2 week backpacking trip to Nicaragua. I carried a 6 1/2' 2-p pc. Spinning rod, it was quite a pain to travel with, and carry around. Built a PVC rod case, but that didn't work well, especially in the airports (that's a whole other story....).

My question is whether anyone has ever built a travel spinning rod on the top 3 sections of a 7, 8, or 9 wt. fly blank? I figured a 9 ft. blank would give you a 6' 9" rod that broke into three 2' 3" sections. Maybe there's a quality 5 pc. blank out there that would make a 7'2" 4 pc. spinning rod with 1'8" sections? I know I've caught some pretty big fish on 4 pc. fly rods, I've got to belive they'd hold up. Would I be breaking some rod building taboo or anything?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

You can build a spinning rod on a fly blank, the blank doesn't care. You should be aware that most manufacturers DO care and it will void the blank warranty to do so. Both Batson and St Croix offer some nice three-piece spinning and casting blanks (usable as either with warranties intact) that should be in the proper line/lure range for your needs. St Croix even offers matching cases.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/03/2010 03:31PM by Jim Gamble.

Batson Enterprises has a number of 3 piece travel rods that will do what you want. They will break down to 28". The new SWT's were designed for the peacock bass fisherman, they needed strength and the ability to travel lite. I've never had a problem with a 28"-30" tube in airplane overheads and take at least two when I go to Mexico.

The top three sections of a four section 9' fly blank are going to give up a lot in power if you lose the bottom section, not to mention the loss of any warranty. I've been searching for heavier travel rods for a while, and have been surprised at t how scarce they are, but Batson's always seem to come up what I need.

Good information, thanks fellas. I'll look into those blank options. They'd probably have a faster and more suitable action than the top sections of a fly rod too.

AmTak also has travel blanks. All are 7ft, 3 piece. I know Mudhole has them listed.

Both batson and St croix offer a 4 piece 6 foot spinning rod blank.