Hi all

I am looking for recommendations on a blank and set up for targeting fish in 30 - 70m of water running 50 - 65lb braid and dropping between 12 and 16oz of lead. The fish range in weight from 5 - 17kg in weight. I would prefer 6 or 6'6" in length in spin configuration. The reel will be a Daiwa Saltist 4500. I would like to develop this into a model in my range as spin for this purpose is becoming more popular than conventional setup here in Australia so budget isn't an issue at this point.

Thanks in advance

Stu Klose

Hi Stuart,
I've built 2 with great success. I used a fiberglas 6' blank, an IGFA 30# and a IGFA 50# style blank. . I figured these would be a good starting point. Butt grip was EVA 12" long, Aluminum reel seat, a 4" EVA foregrip.
Guides were Fugi double foot, starting from butt, a 30, 20 16, 12, 12, tip 12, the reel is TICA CYBERNETIC, with 50lb. braid. I caught Blues, Strippers, Mia Mia, YF Tuna, Fluke.
I will be building more with gimble and rings at reel seat for fighting harness.
You could go graphite, or something with lighter tip. The 6 foot worked well inshore and offshore. it's just a conventional rod with spinning reel & guide.
If your in a fighting chair , maybe alittle longer to reach over stern of boat, but I like stand-up.

Dave von Doehren
PRRODS......If man built it , man can fix it.and if man built it man can break it !

Take a close look at the Seeker Hercules blanks. They were designed for what you want to do. You can see them on the Seeker web site.

Seeker Hercules. No question. Email Billy Vivona, as he is the mastermind behind them and has them in stock.

KK

Hello Stuart.

I agree with Jim and use the GTS60H, IT'S 40-80LB Lure Wt 4-16OZ.( MudHole has them on page 37)
Virtus Heavy Double Foot _ _RLVH.(MudHole Has them on page 73)
But get up with Billy Vivona about the best matching top at this time, and he might have the whole set-up in stock.

Tight Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

you could go with the mud-hole vertical jigging rods as well...

Batson Knife Jigging blanks work excellent for that application, we sell tons of them>>take a look here>>

[www.batsonenterprises.com]

You will not be disappointed with your choice to use any Batson Product>>Quality and prices that cannot be beat>>>

Batson TEAM
Rainshadow/Forecast/ALPS products
www.batsonenterprises.com
877-875-2381
batson@batsonenterprises.com

Bill should have pointed out that there are a number of pics of the Batson knife jigger in action on the Batson Forum. BIG tuna. They are posted under the Photos section "RCJB884XH". Skinny little things but powerful.

Those are different blanks, Grant! The RCJB84XH is a 7' 40-100# blank similar to a Calstar Grafighter 700XH. The Knife Jigging blanks are shorter (500 and 600gr are 5'8") and have a different bend and finish. I built the rod in the RCJB84XH post and when I saw that rod in action, I ordered up more of those and the Knife Jigging blanks! The 500 and 600gr knife jigging blanks are nice from Batson, but shorter than the 6' the guy wanted. The 60H or 60XH Hercules would be sweet, or trim down the RCJB84XH from the butt and tip a couple inches to get a 6'6" or 6' blank. The JAWS63080 would work very well for this application, too and is 6' long.

That is why I get scrap blanks - to extend what I can not find.

Bill - willierods.com

Yep..I just caught that mistake....still sweet blanks and a great build!!

Thanks everyone for your advice. I am going to have a crack at the Seeker Hercules. Does anyone have billy's email so i can pick his brain?

Stu

Click the NERBS link to the left. Billy's email is on the main page.

Chris Richer
Iroquois ON