Hi All,

I have been asked to build a light beach rod for our Australian surf species such as Tailor (Bluefish), Australian Salmon, and with the occassional smaller species of Flathead, Bream and Whiting.

The client needs to cast baits and lures from 20 grams (0.7 ounce) to 60 grams (2.1 ounces).

I am recommending either the MHX salmon/steelhead blank ST1143 (9'6 - 6-12lb) or the ST1144F (9'6 8-17lb). The client does't want a broom handle, but at the same time doesn't want to be too under gunned.

I built him the SJ842-2 (7' 6-12lb) which he loved. He has used it on the beach with 20 grams lures, but has only tested it on 2lb tailor (bluefish) so far. I am assuming the ST1143 would be virtually the same once you add the extra 2 foot or so.

Has anyone used either? What are your recommndations.

Thanks,

Richard

I am currently building the 8'6" MHX steelhead blank ST1023. It will be used to cast spoons and float rigs to 0.75oz.
There is absolutely no way it has the backbone to throw 2.1 ounces.

The ST1144F would be the one for 60 grams [2 ozs.]

Bob McKamey
Mud Hole Custom Tackle
bobm@mudhole.com

Sounds like the client needs three rods built. The client is overloading the first rod you built him throwing a 20 grams lure, the SJ842-2 has a lure weight of 1/8 to 1/2 oz rating. I only build for myself, but I am very specific about how much weight I am going to throw. The ST1144F would be a better blank for the 20 grams, to say 30 grams; somewhere in that range is going to be the "sweet spot" for that blank, but the recomended use for that blank is for Diver Baits / Drifter, so I am not sure how well it would heave iron.

The Carolina Cast Pro CPS10-14 might work well for your client: 10" 2 piece, 1-4 lure weight. The sweet spot on that blank is going to be real close to the 60 grams lure. I have an 11' Carolina Cast Pro, 2-5 oz lure weight, and I love it. The sweet spot on my rod for bait and weight is a 3 oz sinker, but the rod loads well if I snatch it when heaving 2 0z lures.

Good luck,
CarolinaChuck

Hi Richard,
Take a look at the Exel (Pacific) Composities PPG4120G (Bream). Just picked one up from The Rodworks to build myself a 10lb braid overhead for use off the beach. It will handle 60 grams as that's what I'll be throwing but you'll be struggling to find something that will throw 20 and 60. This rod is light in the tip so you probably will be able to throw 20 with it. I was originally looking for a PPG3144G as I've got one set up for a spinning reel and has been cut back to 10 feet from the butt end. It is very light in the tip but has got a surprising amount of grunt (for 3 wraps)further down. I throw 60 with that a very good distance and it would handle the 20. Unfortunately they're out of production. Ross van Enckevort recommended this blank and it looks like he was on the money. It's 10 foot one piece and is worth a look.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia