I am looking at building a surf rod for myself. Looking anywhere between 11 and 14 foot. Any suggestions on combinations of blank, reel seat, handle (cork wrap?) and guides?

Check out Batson, they have a great line of surf blanks to match your needs

It would help if you were more specific as to the purpose of this surf rod.
Are you planning to throw plugs or metal or bait and some weight?
Spinning or conventional casting?
What kind of fish are you targeting.. and where?
Are you a big strong guy?

Your answers to these questions will help generate more helpful responses to your query.

I am looking at a drum rod. Probably throwing an 8 - 12 oz weight with bait. Depending on currents. Here in NC the currents get pretty bad and need heavy weight to keep the bait still. Casting reel. I'm just your average size guy, so don't want something so heavy I can't hold it. I'm thinking of a one piece rod. Does anyone have suggestions on one or two piece? I have a two piece now. I know they make a one piece in 11 ft. but after that not sure how practical it would be in transporting.

99% of all surf rods are 2pc now. Lamiglas makes some 1 pc blanks still. There are lots of choices in that range it all depends on what you want to spend. For throwing chunks/bait I use a Talon 1329 which is 11' 8-14oz. Very nice blanks. But there are many choices slow action, fast action and moderate!!

Your blank selection will be limited to the weight you are trying to cast. Look for a weight range on the blanks from Lamigas, Batsons, and others to narrow your choices. The sweet spot for most blanks will be in the mid-high end of the range if you are looking for max distance. When you narrow your choices for budget and manufacturer, give us a shout here and you'll get some better responses for your project.

Terry

Your blank selection will be limited to the weight you are trying to cast. Look for a weight range on the blanks from Lamigas, Batsons, and others to narrow your choices. The sweet spot for most blanks will be in the mid-high end of the range if you are looking for max distance. When you narrow your choices for budget and manufacturer, give us a shout here and you'll get some better responses for your project.

Terry

Your blank selection will be limited to the weight you are trying to cast. Look for a weight range on the blanks from Lamigas, Batsons, and others to narrow your choices. The sweet spot for most blanks will be in the mid-high end of the range if you are looking for max distance. When you narrow your choices for budget and manufacturer, give us a shout here and you'll get some better responses for your project.

Terry

I second the Batson recommendation. specifically the 1509. its two piece, 30/70 split, 12' 6" rated to 12oz. all around great heaver, perfect for throwing 8 and bait at the point.


Andrew K
Chesapeake, VA



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/23/2012 10:26AM by Andrew Kumjian.

I have built fourteen surf rods for local fisherman that head to the Outer Banks every year. One was a spinner and the rest were all conventional set-ups. All of the rods were built on the one piece Lamiglas GSB136 1MH blnk. All of the rods were built with Fuji S.I.C. guides. All of the surf fishermen that own these rods cast 8-12 ozs. plus bait (whole mullet, whole bunker [in NJ]) an usually are using 50-65lb test Power Pro braid or 30lb monofilament. The only reason for the 50-65lb Power Pro is at those ratings the line itself is thick enough to prevent the outer coils of line on the spool from digging into the inner coils of line on the spool.
If you can't see your way to purchasing the Fuji S.I.C. guides then opt for the alconite guides (BMNAG) or the silicon nitride guides. But, the S.I.C. guides are the slickest guides you can get. Based on my experience thay will yield those few extra yards that may just be the difference between catching and just fishing.
Good luck!

For Drum, the Rainshadow 1509 and the Lami 1502 are the work horses. I like using a Lami 1221MH for fishing the Point where distance isn't the primary concern. The 1362MH is a nice "tweener" rod but it ends up being left on in the rack more and more as I get older. The 1502 is lighter and easier to cast.

Hint, for the price the Mudhole LSB1502MH is very tuff to beat ;)

I have two 1509's and love both of them. I had two built for a friend that surf fishes Assateague Island all summer, with 6 oz he was able to throw 196 and 203 yards in a field. All these rods are built with Forecast BUDLG guides and are built conventional. they have caught everything from Stripers, Red and Black Drum to 9 1/2 foot sand tiger sharks off the beach.

I plan on building another one this spring just to add another to my collection while they are available. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.