I have a costumer wanting a 11' 2 piece crappied rod that is light and senstive would any of you have a suggestion for a blank.

While it is only 10 foot 6 inches the Batson XSP 1263 makes an outstanding light weight crappie rod for it's length.

I will check it out

I have built a lot of long rods, normally called steel head rods that work very well for crappies.

Roger

Thanks Roger

Bobby ask the gentleman if he need the extra length in order to stick it down in a tree top to recover his nice feathered jig - handle this delicate question in a professional manner and it may tell you what your next move will be.

I build a lot of bass rods for customers and in most cases am able to deal with breakage issues quite well - sac-a-lait (crappie, white perch) fisherman busted me big time- they made me the sensitive one! )>

Been There Done That - No Mo!

I second the Light Steelhead blanks, they are excellent for Crappie.

Thanks for the suggestions and advice.

I have to second what Bill is saying: the type of guys who will break a $150 plus crappie pole to save a 5c jig is not who i want to have knocking on my door when said $150 crappie pole has had its tip broken off and its guides ripped off.
Same with some bass fishermen: the third time they bring a rod back to have guides they stood on replaced, i start telling them about the problems sourcing cork for their particular type of handle.
I make more money fixing the off the shelf rods for them now.

if you know they are doing this -- Charge them - of course tell them it will cost before they do it

maybe they will think twice ??

Bill - willierods.com

Bill,
When fishing a bass tournament, a fishing rod is simply a tool to help them win the tournament. The tool will be used in any way possible to help them win the tournament.

IF a rod breaks during this endeavor, so be it. It is just part of the entry fee for the tournament. No different than the price of the motel room, or the breakfast that he eats before going out to fish each day.

No, we as craftspeople don't necessarily like to thing about our work being used in this fashion, but that is the long and short of it.

Be safe
Roger

As long as they keep coming back for rods All is good

Bill - willierods.com

Another of the worse problems that I see with these long crappie rods, is the fact that guys want to lift fish in the boat with them. One of the worse situations is for a angler to point the rod straight up or hi-stick the rod, as he is swinging the fish in the boat. Pop goes the rod. Angler error!! Advise your customers not to do this. Thus a reason to slide a landing net under the fish and bring to the boat.

Bob McKamey
Mud Hole Custom Tackle
bobm@mudhole.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/15/2012 01:32PM by Bob McKamey.