I'm considering building a surf rod for northern California stripers (mostly near Monterey). I typically fish for black bass in lakes and trout in rivers, so this is outside of the norm for me. I've only ever built fly rods and light baitcasters/spinning rods for bass.
It would be a spinning rod. I'd like to use large plugs and poppers, will probably use braid, and that's all I know so far...
So, blank options? Single or double foot guides? Stainless or titanium? Underwraps? I can't imagine using a leader longer than 4', so I doubt any knots or connections will need to pass through the guides, nor will they ever be in freezing conditions, so what size guides? Reel seat material? I'm guessing cork tape...
Thanks,
Ken

Batson Sw1088 or 1089 depending how heavy you will be throwing. both are just short of 9 ft. for 10 ft sur 1204 or 1265 Guide are a toss up Batson ,fuji,amtak? 30-20-16-10,8,8,8,and so on to fit
all but the 30 are single foot for a light tip



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/04/2011 05:17AM by Barry Thomas Sr.

More and more surf fisherman are jumping on the "K train". Using the New Guide Concept, see where a 20 ring KW stripper would fall or maybe a 25. Complete the reduction train with KL and then use the KT for running guides. Test cast and compare. I like a 5.5 running guide on big rods but you could probably go to a 4 with no problems. This layout is a little "new", but it's getting excellent reviews from some pretty picky builders. I suppose you could call it a "micro-build" but it's more about reducing weight than ring size. If you don't think a micro surf rod is for you, use size 6 running guides...now it's not a micro rod ;•)

I'm not against micros, I've built a few bass rods with micros, and they were excellent rods. Any other input on the guide materials? Do you use underwraps? Any other suggestions?

If you take good care of your equipment, the nod would go to polished stainless with ALCONITE® rings. If it usually stays in the back of your truck til next weekend (like my stuff), go with titanium and have a beer instead of washing rods.The titanium will cost more and so will all that extra beer you'll drink while you would have been washing rods, but in the long run...it's worth it.

I used underwraps on the last surf rod I built. I don't know why.

By the way, explore the CTS blanks

Hi Ken,

Where are you from? Im from San Jose, Ive built alot of surf rods for customer. My choice would be a Kencor blank ( Zebra or Manlewglass) if you can get your hands on those rods. Great blank!!!!!!!!!!!!! Another great blank is the Batson as mention above. As for guides, go with the New Fuji K series double foot. Very light. As for guide wraps, you can go with Double or Triple. But since you be building a popping rod, got with Double wrap. As for the handle, you can go with cork tape and X-Wrap shrink tube over it. Looks really nice. As for the reel seat you can go with graphite. Hope this helps.

Happy Wrapping

Trung

Thanks Trung,
I also live in SJC. Where do you get those blanks? How often you go fishing?

Ken

Hi Ken,

I get them at the fishery supply tackle shop in story road. She's a great lady. I think she still have some left but not blank ones.Factory wrap ones. You can strip them and rewrap them. I fished anychance I get but not lately. You can also try the Batson blanks if you cannot find Kencor.

Trung

You may want to consider one of these as well [www.batsonenterprises.com]

Don't be fooled by the lure and line ratings they are extremely powerful blanks. I would look at the SUR1083F is your looking for two piece or go with the SUR1063.

Rod Blank Model # Rainshadow SUR1083F 9 foot two piece spin
Butt cap: BC19A
Front Cap:
Rear Grip: BS12-500 WILL NEED TO REAM TO FIT 12" eva REAR
Handle Arbor:
Reel Seat: CAH18CM-TC Alps aluminum seat TC color
Reel Seat Shim
Foregrip: BSF06-500 6 INCH eva REAR
Winding Check: BWC15
Hookeeper: TCHKL
Tip Top TCPCT08F08.0
1st guide from tip top Alps XPTCVDTCG08
2nd guide from tip top XPTCVDTCG08
3rd guide from tip top XPTCVDTCG08
4th guide from tip top XPTCVDTCG10
5th guide from tip top: XPTCVDTCG12
6th guide from tip top: XPTCVDTCG16
7th guide from tip top: XPTCVDTCG20
8th guide from tip top: XPTCVDTCG25
9th guide from tip top: XPTCVDTCG30

Guide spacing Specs(inches from tip, center ring over mark) 4-9-14.5-20.5-27-34-43-53-67

Karry Batson
Batson Enterprises Inc.
Ph: (877) 875-2381
Fax: (360) 683-3579
karry@batsonenterprises.com
www.batsonenterprises.com