Can any one recommend a blank? We'll be fishing from a charter. I think they mostly throw bait tipped 1/2-3/4oz jigs but have never fished this area and don't really now the style so if you think I've got it all wrong, pls let me know.

Thx

Jay

What size and type of line will you be using?

looks like most of the charters recommend 8-10lb so say 8lb mono or 10-20 braid if I build it spinning. Will go 20-30lb braid if I build casting.

Thx

Jay

I have not fished Lake Erie for walleye, but have fished it for smallmouth several times. My group drifted and jigged with 1/8th & 1/4oz jigs using 8# mono. I think any 6'6" medium light or medium power spin jig type rod blank would serve you very well if you will be drifting and bouncing jigs. All of the major manufacturers/suppliers have several good choices in this range.

ps A 4 1/2# Erie smallie on a medium light spin jig rod is a serious blast!!

Rog

1/4 - 3/4 oz. jigs sound pretty big for smallmouth and walleye, but maybe they are fishing deep and/or drifting/dragging.

I would suggest a magbass or Spin bass rated for 1/4 - 5/8 oz. lures, something like the Batson ISB842 7' medium as a good all-around to handle whatever you might encounter. The longer length would help on hooksets in deep water.

I do a ton of Erie walleye and smallmouth fishing. a few years ago I built a spinning rod on the St Croix 5S66MF-G SCV blank. I used Recoil guides. This has been my favorite rod for this type of fishing. The top of the line SCV blank is a little pricey but its incredible sensitivity and light weight are just what the doctor ordered. If there ever was an application that called for those two attributes it's drifting and casting/jigging for Erie walleye. The bites are totally subtle but the SCV and 8-10lb. braid line are just what the Dr. ordered. The light weight makes for easy, all day casting. There's enough backbone that you can cast 3/4 oz weight forwards and mayfly rigs on the windy fast drift days.

The Mudhole SJ782-MHX blank would probably be just as good for a lot less money. I built one for my nephew that I trialed on a few golf course pond bass, and I really liked it. Very light, very sensitive, good backbone. If I accidentally threw my St Croix overboard I think that I would try the MHX.