Looking to build two soft-bait rods in the 10# to 30# line range, these are going to be used with braid and the guys use stella reels.He doesn't want graphite as he is hard on it and has snapped a few, so any suggestions would be welcome
The Rainshadow RCLB70L looks ok but whatever blank I choose it doesn't need to be a full on casting rod as the fishing will be mostly drifting with a sea anchor in 10 to 60 metre depths although must be able to handle the odd 15-25 Kg kingfish that hook up sometimes when your trying to catch snapper ..

Cheers

Find several composites and check the weight of the blank.

Also check what he has broken. See if maybe they are to light for what he uses them for. Maybe he is - high stickin - them

Bill - willierods.com

If he wants light, then graphite is the way to go. The best compromise would be to go with a mix like Batsons RX4/composite SWS series. These blanks are quite durable as are their E-glass SWB series (much heavier). I know Calstar and Seeker also make comparable blanks but have not built on those so cannot offer real world experience. I have been playing around with MudHole's MHX L905 recently for cobia, AJ's and live lining for big Striped Bass. Have been very pleased with their strength and performance so far but keep in mind these blanks are all graphite. If your client is vertical jigging, then look at the Seeker Hercules or the Batson knife jigging for starters. Both are super tough but have actions specific to vertical jigging. Good luck.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 05/05/2011 09:25AM by Todd Kreikamp.

Hello Rod

I like my GTS70L from Seeker 15-30#, 7'2", Lure: 3-10oz. .645 butt, 7.5 tip.
It's a tough blank, Billy Vivona sells them.

Good Luck!

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

The Seeker Hercules Inshore Lite sounds like a perfect match for what he's doing, I'm expecting a shipment of Grey & metalli cred ones tomorrow: [northeastrodbuilders.com] How heavy is hte weight he will be using when drifting, or is he free lining?

I have to suggest the seeker hercules inshore lite. Perfect match. You'll be very happy with it, and it can handle those kingfish. Plus it's light enough for snappers.
hope you choose one
GABE

I can recomend the inshore lite I built a fee of them hands down one of the best blanks I ever used and versital as can be ..

Billy Vivona Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The Seeker Hercules Inshore Lite sounds like a
> perfect match for what he's doing, I'm expecting a
> shipment of Grey & metalli cred ones tomorrow:
> [northeastrodbuilders.com]
> erculesblanks.html How heavy is hte weight he will
> be using when drifting, or is he free lining?

Thanks yes I am looking at these, also the new Rainshadow knife jigging ones. He is drifting with anything from 1/2 to 2 oz with jerk shads & real bait!
The only thing is are the butts slim enough for a cork handle? I don't have a lathe so would use IPSM or VSSM kits
I don't normally use cork so any suggestions there would be helpful also :)

It is confusing when very different fish go by the same name. Kingfish, for me, is king mackeral and the rclb line is fine for that. I'm thinking the kingfish he is talking about are what they call yellowtail in Cali and are a member of the jack family. Those are very tough fish and a 25kg one would rock you up in a new york second on a rclb70l. A 60 pound amberjack that loves structure is a very tough fight.

Seeker and calstar would be on my short list. I'm also fond of the lamiglas tri flex line but I don't feel it is quite as rugged. I have a few of the rclb's and they are a great live bait rod. However the very things that make them great for live bait wouldn't make them right for swimbaits IMHO. For that I'd want a stiffer tip and a quicker lock up.

To make matters worse saying 10# braid means little. Some 10# braids will test out 2-3 or more times higher. That white, fused, stiff berkely is a good example. Best to find out what line he uses and find out how strong it really is. That and check out his technique.....or else he will break what you build and may consider it your fault....and problem.

What about CTS? Seems they would know what is best for your area?

Personally I'd never use cork for anything that would ever see time in a rod holder.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

he wants cork so i have no choice there, yes you are right about the kingfish, they are yellowtail & they can be prolific in the area we fish, although he isn't targeting them, maiinly snapper in the 3 to 7 kg range. The line he uses is 4kg braid as most of us do down here. Im not sure we are metric here but that equates to around 10 lb im guessing. He also uses 8kg when there is foul ground so thats the reason for the 10-30lb line range Believe it or not CTS don't sell their blanks here or Im missing something! They are made for the US market. Composite Developments and Kilwell are aslo NZ companys that make great blanks but have little interest in the local rod building scene, they charge way too much for there blanks ( if you can source them) so I buy from the US sites although shipping costs are a bit high ouch... I also think the retailers in the US are really helpful as are everyone here on the rodboard so im sticking with them :)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/05/2011 06:34PM by Rod Carlson.

Hello Rod

As I said the butt is only .645", should be able to ream the cork handle out that much.

Good Luck!

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

You also can get made handles with .7 ID in them. Can be cut and shaped Many different sizes. A piece of scrap blank - stiff - some grit strips and you can make a good reamer to finish it off.

No lath - a drill can be used. Just rest the other end on some sort of V to support it and a piece of stiff scrap blank to fit the handle and the drill If it does not fit the drill. glue in a piece of scrap blank into the end that does fit

More then one way to skin this cat

Bill - willierods.com

The Inshore Lite casts 1-3oz very well when built spinning. For drifting, 1/2oz - 2oz is a little light, th erod will feel a little broomstickish. I'm pretty sure the RCLB you mention will be the same way. If he wanted something with a softer tip that is durable and will probably be a littel better on the lower end of the weight range, maybe look into the Seeker CSW/CBW 708

Parts used and how you assemble the rod can make a big difference also. (Split-grip, lighter guides) Build it light.

Soft I start thinking Calstar 270 or 196 both are glass. If he wants really soft Seeker 870. The Seeker 270H is close to the feel of the Calstar 270, but more backbone. I also like the Rainshadow SWS597 but that is a composite and have tied them up as spinners and have no problem tossing a 3 oz ball 90 yards without trying. I have seen someone break a 597 bass mastering a fish into the boat, so for durability its pretty hard to beat the Seeker blanks. The RCLB's are a bit stiffer than I'd want for a soft rod. The RCLB70L makes a good jig rod very similar in action to the Hercules Inshore light, the RCLB70M makes a good 40# trolling rod similar to the Seeker 665 or Calstar 670. I know the Hercules blanks are strong, but I don't know how they will stand up to a rough and tumble customer

I've not seen the new 8' and 9' Hercules blanks yet, Billy have you seen these yet and how do they compare to the 7' Inshore?

Thank you whoever you are

WWW.WeSeekHerRods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/09/2011 08:48PM by Ted Culin.