Hi gents,

Been a while since I've posted here but I know you guys will be able to sort me out quickly.

I'm considering a build for a 1-3 times a year use rod. It seems that every year I make a trip or three on a party boat/head boat/private charter. In the US it was for fluke in NJ. Over here it is cod/whiting/ling. In either case, we're talking about dropping 4-12 oz weight with some bait or artificials attached and bouncing bottom and/or light jigging. The 'biggest' I'd be fishing is what I'm currently doing. last time out we were fishing the wrecks in 150-200' of water. I was using braid (40/50-ish #) and a 400g pirk on the bottom with a 3 lure rig above. Drop everything to the bottom, reel up a little, and start jigging. Fish range up to 20 lb. The lighter end is bouncing 3-4 oz in 40-60' and catching small whiting in the pound or two range (think just keeper walleye).

I'm looking for an inexpensive blank that could cover that spectrum. My ideal rod would be a graphite butt, glass tip to keep the action faster and weight down but have an 'abusable' tip for those occasions when you snag the wreck and the boat drifts away quickly, thus tightening up things faster than you can react. It would be 2 pc, though I could potentially look at 1 pc with a removable butt. I'd want the tip light enough that you can still feel a whiting fight when you're reeling him up but enough power to muscle a ling out of the wrecks. I'll be spiral wrapping with (probably) turbo guides.

The rod I've fished the past couple times has been a 50 lb class rod, 7', 2 pc. It has done the job, though I'd like a little less physical weight but a bit faster action.

Any suggestions? Since it is a very occasional use rod, I'll by trying to use up components I have on hand as much as possible. I have half a guide set already and half of a grip set (front). I'd like to keep the blank cost under $50 if possible.

Thanks,
Rick

Batson Rainshadow RCLB 70 M I use this for Striped Bass chunking fish up to 40# or more (if real lucky) 8-10 OZ sinker

Rick, Check the BUY/SELL page for SALESMAN'S SAMPLES quite a list. Joe might have what you need. So, you left Jersey and took all the whiting with you. No mercury in that batch, otherwise you would have never got e'm on the plane.
Why spiral wrap with turbos if your looking to reduce weight. Frame strength?
Your on the right track to use a composite blank, (low cost) trim to your needs, with a detachable butt. You may even do good with a stand up blank. a nice build project for yourself, good luck, have fun and send some of those whiting back our way.
Dennis J. Danku
(Sayreville,NJ)

HI dennis,

Plenty of whiting here. Most guys don't fish for them unless they can't get out further and fish for cod/ling, and even then everyone things they are bony and not worth keeping. Size ranges from 8" up to 20" or so, most fish are around 12-18".

I had a troll through Joe's post. There was one that seemed interesting, but I thought I'd get recco's here first.

Thanks,
Rick

Rick, Have'nt had smoked whiting in a long time. Need anything, E-mail me!
Dennis