I'm looking to build an ultra light 4 piece 7'-0" backpack rod. I have the reel already, a Pflueger Patriarch 9525 Spinning reel. The reel is 5.6 oz. and has a spool lip diameter of 42mm. I'm going for light as possible so I plan on using Fuji Titanium SiC guides. I'm looking for a rod to handle 1/32 oz lure weights and 2-4lb test line. Sadly there isn't anything in the market that meets these specifications but fly rods. Would I be ok using a 3-4wt 4pc 7'-0" fly rod like the St.Croix SCIV/SCII series offers? I've never built a fly rod, let alone one converted to spinning. Thanks for the help.

The blank won't have any idea what you're doing with it - it's just a round, tubular shaft. There's nothing to convert, really.

For 1/32 ounce lures I'd lean towards nothing more than a 3-weight (of course, not all 3-weights possess the same power). A 2-weight would be even better. But that'll get you closer than most 4-weight rods.

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My only concern is after searching the forum on this subject, it seems the majority of people dont like the action of a fly rod as compared to a standard spinning rod. I'm used to a fast/x-fast action and I know the fly rod with have more of a medium to slow action. My other issue is the size of the rod. Thy fly rods are VERY small diameter and I'm having a hard time finding components that have an ID of .25" and smaller.

Thanks for the tips on the line weight.

contact Mark Crouse.... he just finished a 7' 3 pc UL for me.
Shot me an email Justinlschmidt@yahoo.com and I will fill you in.

You won't find any fly rods with a truly slow action. They'll be about what you would find in a medium action spinning rod.

Any misfit between components and blank is taken care of by arbors, shims, etc. That's custom rod building.

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Tom Kirkman is on the right path-I'm a real advocate of long ultralights ( like 7 1/2 feet) made from 2 or 3 wt fly blanks. I suggest using a small skeleton reel seat with a custom turned (drill press wil work) insert sized for your reel.

this blank should work great for the backpack rod: F763-4-MHX 4 7'6" 3 1.1 Mod/Fast
.268 4 (Mudhole MHX) Butt diameter just over .250.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Wow, 2/3 wt - that's light. I'm using more of a 5+ wt for 1/32 oz and whipping them out there with 2 lbs test. I find that with moderate action ultralightlight rods, I don't get that pinpoint control of the jig that I like. But listen to Tom. He's forgotten more about rodbuilding and I'll ever learn in my lifetime...:)

Mo



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/16/2011 09:43AM by Mo Yang.

We have been building longer UL spin rods on fly rod blanks for years.
My personal favorites are on either 71/2' or 8' blanks.
And for power, either 3 or 4 wt if throwing very light baits.
The sweet spot for many may be the Batson Rainshadow IF793.
here is a link;
[www.schneidersrods.com]

Best wishes,
Ron Schneider
Schneider's Rod Shop
Mountain Home, Arkansas
[www.schneidersrods.com]
mtnron40@yahoo.com
870-424-3381

I 'Run and Gun' in the surf with a 12 foot spinning rod made from a crappie pole blank. I have 10 10mm guides on it and it's a winner. C2

Charlie,

where do you find crappie pole blanks? They look like they could be very versatile.

Thanks,
Rick