I have a client that would like a rod that will double as a 7wt fly and light spinning rod. He fishes for bone fish where they cast mostly flys, but occasionally throw shrimp. He doesn't feel that he does enough of each type casting to justify dedicated rods. Is there a compromise set up that will work half way decent for both?

there are a couple of ways to accomplish this. you can make a long retractable fighting butt that will be used when spinning and the fly handle will be like a foregrip or you can place a ferrule to attach the handle. the handle can then be removed and reversed for spinning or fly depending on which way you attach the handle. sammy mickel has done some very nice ones of the second option.

RodMaker Volume 12 #3 has full step by step directions, with photos, for making combination spin/fly rods.

................

If you have any scrap blanks you can make the ferrules from them. Just make sure you have a nice fit on both ends

Bill - willierods.com

What guide size and palcement considerations would you make in this scenario?

I generally went for the - cone of flight - system using spin single foot guides. After the handle is done I put guides on and depending on the reel size to be used played with guide sizes till it felt nice doing both.

The new Minimas should do well for this set up

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/01/2011 02:06PM by bill boettcher.

Mike, get that rodmaker back issue, i built one using that as a template and it worked out great. All you need to know is right in there with pictures and diagrams etc.
I too used Minima 4's as guides. Worked well with this and my buddy loves it.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/01/2011 02:09PM by Lou Auret.

Thanks for the replies. I knew I'd get good answers here. I don't post a lot but check the site every day. I finally got off my butt and subscribed to Rod Maker Mag.

Mike,
A very simple way to do it is to simply build the rod as a fly rod, making sure that the first guide is of good size.

When you want to use it as a spinning rod, simply take off the fly reel, put on the spinning reel and you will be good to go.

It will be a bit tip heavy, and with the guide setup won't cast as well as a fully dedicated spinning rod, but for now and then use, it will work just fine.

Good luck
Roger

A gentleman with a site called "The Worried Shrimp", a few articles on his site in the recent posts section on rods that he has built that work very well. One is titled "Rapture" the Other "Magic". Simple, well thought out builds.

That sliding reel seat is an awsome idea. I've pondered a compromise between Tennnessee handles and fixed seats but this never occured to me. I'll definetely be implementing this idea for a demo rod.