I'm looking to build a casting rod to throw spinners, spoons, floats, bottom rake, etc...I'd like something in the 11' range with a 6-10 lb rating. Any reccomondations? Thanks in advance.

"There is a principle which is a bar against all information,which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance--that principle is contempt prior to investigation."
- Herbert Spencer

I just built a 12' Anglers Roost Enterprises 7/8 spey blank into a casting rod for the exact same purpose. A casting rod of that length is really a swiss army knife, I dont understand why more anglers in the Great Lakes dont fish this way. Its really liberating to have one rod do so much.

The rod turned out great, sprial wrapped with fuji alconites. I also counterbalanced the rod a bit and it helps lessen the tip weight. You might not need this with a shorter, lighter rod.

I realize that these blanks are not the most exspenisve around but I was able to put the money saved into my Abu c3 and get upgrades, now the rig is smooth as silk.

If I have peaked your interest you might want to check out the 5/6wt spey blanks by ARE.

You might also want to consider 5/6 spey blanks by other manufacturers.

There are also conventional blanks by batson (XST1382F), St.Croix (10'6" model), Lamiglass (again, more 10'6" models), and others.

If you are willing to go slightly lighter then the 11'6" St.Croix and Batson blanks open up (4-10lb rating).

Finally CTS also offers blanks in thepower range and length you requested.

When you bump up to 13' more blanks enter the mix, although that seems a bit too long too me for an all purpose rod, much better for dedicated float fishing.

If I had to buy again except with a little more cash to throw around it would be the batson XST or CTS closely followed by another spey conversion but with a better quality blank.

I wish I would have found baitcasters sooner, I did the whole pin thing for over 12 years and I really missed the flexibility the baitcaster offers!

Thanks Jason. I've been fishing the bobbers for quite some time too. I used to LOVE fishing rapalas for trout in streams. I've never done it in the GL's but have always wanted to. spinners, spoons, floats, etc... sounds like I'm thinking like you. I enjoy fishing pins a lot but it gets boring really fast for me catching fish on roe. I thought about using a switch or a short Spey blank as I've built conversions for center pins before from them and liked them. Appreciate your input bro. Now the reel. I've read up a bit on super tuning baitcaster a and it seems with some upgrades and a lil' elbow grease you can get achieve a nice start up. Best, Danny

"There is a principle which is a bar against all information,which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance--that principle is contempt prior to investigation."
- Herbert Spencer

Have a look at these two there perfect!
XST1382F West Coast Spin [www.batsonenterprises.com]

Rainshadow XST Salmon Steelhead

Component Part Number Part Description
Rod Blank Model # XST1382F-TC 11' 6" 2pc Lt 6-10lb Salmon/Steelhead
Butt Cap: AF2SG 2" Aluminum Fighting Butt- Shiney Gunsmoke
Reel Seat Shim: SHIM/16/SPIN Proof Board .590" OD 3.70" Length
Reel Seat Body: BPSTG16 NPSTG Pipe seat textured (Threads down)
Reel Seat Hood: GTT16C-SN-TC Hood w/cush Single Nut - True Light TiCH
Trim: TRS16-TC X 2 Trim Ring for Spin Seat size 16 TiCH
Fore Grip: FG25A-250 2 1/2" Cork Fore Grip 'A'
Rear Grip: RGS12A-350 12" Cork Rear Grip Straight 'A'
Winding Check: AWCCO-374-TC Lt TitCar Plated Winding Check .414" I.D.
Hookeeper: TCHKS Small TiCH Hook Keeper
Tip Top XTCPPCT06R04.0 ALPS SS316-RRD-P Top 06 TiCH Ring 4.0 Tube - TICH w/o Chrome
Guides (see below for size and quantity) XPTCFCG ALPS SS316 - TiCH w/o Chrome Single Foot with TiCH Zirconium Ring RRD
Guides (see below for size and quantity) XTCYTCG ALPS SS316 - Y Guide TiCH w/o Chrome Single Foot with TiCH Zirconium Thin Ring


Guide order from the tip top Guide Guide Placement - In inches from the tip top
1st XPTCFCG06 4.25"
2nd XPTCFCG06 9"
3rd XPTCFCG06 14.25"
4th XPTCFCG06 20.25"
5th XPTCFCG07 27"
6th XTCYTCG07 34.5"
7th XTCYTCG07 43.25"
8th XTCYTCG08 52.5"
9th XTCYTCG10 62.125"
10th XTCYTCG12 72.625
11th XTCYTCG20 83.625"
12th XTCYTCG25 98"

XST1383F West Coast Spin
Rainshadow XST Salmon Steelhead

Component Part Number Part Description
Rod Blank Model # XST1383F-TC 11' 6" 2pc Med/Lt 8-12lb Salmon/Steelhead
Butt Cap: AF2SG 2" Aluminum Fighting Butt- Shiney Gunsmoke
Reel Seat Shim: SHIM/16/SPIN Proof Board .590" OD 3.70" Length
Reel Seat Body: BPSTG16 NPSTG Pipe seat textured (Threads down)
Reel Seat Hood: GTT16C-SN-TC Hood w/cush Single Nut - True Light TiCH
Trim: TRS16-TC X 2 Trim Ring for Spin Seat size 16 TiCH
Fore Grip: FG25A-250 2 1/2" Cork Fore Grip 'A'
Rear Grip: RGS12A-350 12" Cork Rear Grip Straight 'A'
Winding Check: AWCCO404-TC Lt TitCar Plated Winding Check .414" I.D.
Hookeeper: TCHKS Small TiCH Hook Keeper
Tip Top XTCPPCT07R05.0 ALPS SS316-RRD-P Top 07 TiCH Ring 5.0 Tube - TICH w/o Chrome
Guides (see below for size and quantity) XPTCFCG ALPS SS316 - TiCH w/o Chrome Single Foot with TiCH Zirconium Ring RRD
Guides (see below for size and quantity) XTCYTCG ALPS SS316 - Y Guide TiCH w/o Chrome Single Foot with TiCH Zirconium Thin Ring

Guide order from the tip top Guide Guide Placement - In inches from the tip top
1st XPTCFCG07 4.25"
2nd XPTCFCG07 9"
3rd XPTCFCG07 14.25"
4th XPTCFCG07 20.25"
5th XPTCFCG07 27"
6th XTCYTCG07 34.5"
7th XTCYTCG07 43.25"
8th XTCYTCG08 52.5"
9th XTCYTCG10 62.125"
10th XTCYTCG12 72.625
11th XTCYTCG20 83.625"
12th XTCYTCG25 98"

Karry Batson
Batson Enterprises Inc.
Ph: (877) 875-2381
Fax: (360) 683-3579
karry@batsonenterprises.com
www.batsonenterprises.com

Thanks Karry. Question for you, or anyone that's familiar with spiral wrapping. Would your guide spacing change if I was to do a simple spiral wrap w the guides? 1st casting rod ill be building and have been thinking about doing a spiral wrap. Thanks.

"There is a principle which is a bar against all information,which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance--that principle is contempt prior to investigation."
- Herbert Spencer

Hello Danny.

No you just take your regular set-up except the butt guide, rotate them below the blank and add a guide between the butt guide and what was your 2nd guide but is now your first 180 degree guide at an even distance between the two and at 90 degrees.

Hope that is understandable.

Tight Wraps.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

My bad I totally missed the part Casting Rod lol. Try this set up it works well
XST1383F West Coast Spiral Wrap
Rainshadow XST Salmon Steelhead

Component Part Number Part Description
Rod Blank Model # XST1383F-TC 11' 6" 2pc Med/Lt 8-12lb Salmon/Steelhead
Butt Cap: HEABC-TC/S Butt Cap Aluminum Dark Titanium Smoke with Silver Trim
Reel Seat: GTBTG16C-10.5-TC Textured Grpht Trgr Blk Epxd w/cush R/S 10.5mm-Tich hood
Trim: TRS16-TC Trim Ring for Spin Seat size 16 TiCH
Fore Grip: HEFG2.5S-250 2.5" High End Foregrip Super Grade ID .250"
Rear Grip: HERGS14SCC2-345 14.0" High End Reargrip Straight Super Grade w/Cork Comp ID .345"
Winding Check: AWC398-SG or AWCCO404-7C loose Lt TitCar Plated Winding Check .384" I.D.
Hookeeper: TCHKS Small TiCH Hook Keeper
Tip Top XTCPPCT06R05.0 ALPS SS316-RRD-P Top 06 TiCH Ring 5.0 Tube - TICH w/o Chrome
Guides (see below for size and quantity) XPTCFCG ALPS SS316 - TiCH w/o Chrome Single Foot with TiCH Zirconium Ring RRD
Guides (see below for size and quantity) XTCLXNCG SS316-LXN Guide w/TiCH ring -TiCH w/o chrome-ALPS

Guide order from the tip top Guide Guide Placement - In inches from the tip top
1st XPTCFCG06 3 1/2" 180 straight down from top of seat
2nd XPTCFCG06 7 1/4" 180 straight down from top of seat
3rd XPTCFCG06 11" 180 straight down from top of seat
4th XPTCFCG06 14 7/8" 180 straight down from top of seat
5th XPTCFCG06 19" 180 straight down from top of seat
6th XPTCFCG06 23.375" 180 straight down from top of seat
7th XPTCFCG06 28.25" 180 straight down from top of seat
8th XPTCFCG06 33.25" 180 straight down from top of seat
9th XPTCFCG06 38" 180 straight down from top of seat
10th XPTCFCG06 44" 180 straight down from top of seat
11th XPTCFCG06 49.75" 180 straight down from top of seat
12th XPTCFCG06 55.75" 180 straight down from top of seat
13th XPTCFCG06 62" 180 straight down from top of seat
14th XPTCFCG06 68.5 180 straight down
15th XPTCFCG06 75.5" 175 degree
16th XTCLXNCG06 82.75" 160 degree
17th XTCLXNCG06 90.25" 90 degree
18th XTCLXNCG12 98" 20 degree

Karry Batson
Batson Enterprises Inc.
Ph: (877) 875-2381
Fax: (360) 683-3579
karry@batsonenterprises.com
www.batsonenterprises.com

18 guides? Wow. Seems like a lot to me but I've ever build a casting rod that long.

"There is a principle which is a bar against all information,which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance--that principle is contempt prior to investigation."
- Herbert Spencer

Danny Ross Wrote:
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>If I have peaked your interest you might want to check out the 5/6wt spey blanks by ARE.

Hello all! New to the board here, but what an awesome site!

Where can I get information about ARE blanks? Google won't turn anything up.