I'll be trying some steelhead fishing but not quite ready to commit to the center-pin reel set up. I'm considering a spiral wrapped casting build on a 13' blank as the next best way to present a float rig. Should I just go spinning and maybe buy a pin reel in the future? I'm looking at the xst Batson and the MHX blanks. I've heard the MHX described as on the whippy side. Is there a lot of difference between these two blanks? Any other suggestions?

I built one on a 13' spey rod blank. Casts a loooong way. Anglers Roost sells them at a reasonable price. I got mine from a guy named Roger on ^&*%.

The 13' 2 piece MHX is lighter on power and slower than the comparable XST. If I had to choose it would be the XST. If you commit to a casting rod, you won't be able to use it with a centerpin. A spinning set up offers you this option.

Awhile back, I built a float rod from a 13' Talon ITM blank - really nice blank. Since I couldn't cast a pin worth a darn I called Talon, sent them in the middle section, and they fitted another butt section for a measely $15. I turned that bottom section into a spiral wrap with some low profile boat guides. I can almost cast into the next zip code with this outfit. If pictures weren't so hard to upload here I'd show you.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/04/2011 03:51PM by Tim Collins.

Mike,
For myself, I would build up a 13 foot float rod as an excellent spinning rod. It will cast a mile and will do a nice job on these fish.

Take care
REW

Tim

pictures are easy _ just follow directions

What is the problem

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/04/2011 04:02PM by bill boettcher.

Bill - on every other forum I can make a click, a window pops up, select, load, boom! It must be a me thing - I always seem to have trouble here so I don't bother anymore.



Well I can only seem to load one photo at a time and then I have to start the process all over again for more pics . . .

[www.rodbuilding.org]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/04/2011 04:26PM by Tim Collins.

Built a 13' St.Croix from mudhole. Spiral wrapped concept casting guides and the owner uses it with a casting reel. He fishes from a drift boat so casting wan't too big of a concern to him. He caught a 7 lb skamani first trip out. Loves the action of the rod. I would build a straight pin rod and use a spinning reel for now and when you want to graduate to a pin reel your all set. If you do a spiral wrap your limiting yourself to a casting reel only.