Okay guys!
Now, Im in Southwest Florida, and I always go on charter boats, and party boats, but I'm a tackle hoe and always bring my own reels to the boats, and end up using the boats crappier rods. So here it goes... I basically need a rod that is appropriate to bring on the plane. Im not set on an exact size, but anywhere from 6' 6" to 8'. I fish for Kingfish, Snappers, Groupers, anything that swims here in Naples. Rods gotta be light. I havent thought about it in full, but let me know what would be a nice blank for this. Only willing to buy through Mudhole. I respect them, and their customer service a lot.

Thanks everyone! Have a happy holiday season, and a happy new year.

Gabe

SW 967F though Mudhole doesn't carry Batson products.

Gabe,
If you are going to carry the rod on the plane, I suspect that you really need a 3 piece rod; rather than just a two piece rod to be able to always fit the rod into an overhead rack as is the current luggage requirement.
Roger

I just brought a 7' 6" rod on the plane that was two piece. It fit fine. No problem at all.

Spencer,
Thank you, I will check that out regardless to see if it fits my requirements.
Thanks!

The airlines are getting more relaxed about fishing rods on board. I have traveled extensively with many "carry-on" rods domestically and internationally with some of them way to long for the overhead compartments, these they let me put in the stand up coat closet. However, most of my rods do fit within most overhead compartments.

I think you should read, and consider participating in, this thread ... [rodbuilding.org].

Lol Jim, thanks. I saw that again today, but that rod is wayyy to heavy for what i need. Not fishing anything near that weight, and to be honest, thats pretty pricey.

Thanks!

Okay, just what do you need Gabe? One of my favorites for kingfish is the rainshadow rclb series. But they are 1 piece and mudhole doesn't sell the Baston line. From them you are probably best off with amtak's offerings.

A kingfish rod doesn't need to be too heavy. On the other hand a grouper rod often has to fish a lot of lead and decent (read keeper) sized grouper have to be horsed off the bottom ASAP. Think heavy tog rod and you aren't too far off base. If you could find a musky blank it could work if the grouper aren't too big.

If you were fishing on the east coast I'd drive over and loan you something. Do you have friends/family in the area so you could leave something there for next time? The rclb line is pretty cheap yet pretty sweet for kingfish.

The last tri-flex you bought would make a nice mutton/red snapper rod for here. It would do for smaller grouper in shallow water. But I'd consider it too light in the tip for big grouper in deeper water. On the other hand it would do for kingfish but you could get by with a lot less rod if the boat isn't crowded.

FWIW one of my favorite high end blanks for down here is St. Croix. They aren't cheap and they can be fragile.

When is your trip? I am on vacation starting 12/26. I "should" be wrapping up 4 rods but nobody wants to send me the one guide I need so maybe that is a sign I should go fishing in Naples????LOL!

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Thinking of this..
Lamiglas
NZ84-2M **
7'
2
12-30 lb.
1-3 oz.
.6
7
3 1/8 oz.
$84.80