I am wanting to build a bar style casting rod for fishing Chinook on the Skeena system. I talked with Andy Snedden and he recommended a surf rod blank to build the rod I want to build. Here is how bar fishing is done on the Skeena river. We drive a piece of ready rod into the bar and have attached a piece of PVC pipe for a rod holder. That part is fairly standard here is where we my slightly differ depending on water hight and speed we trow out a pyramid weight and spin& glow. The pyramid weight will weigh 6 to 11 oz depending on the current to hold the spin& glow in the current where the fish run. The standard set up to do this with is a 11 foot rod with a fast action. The reel is quite often a Ambassador 7000 loaded with 40 lbs test. I would like to build this rod for my son for his birthday. I used to use Fenwick blanks to do this but I can not remember the blank number and I am having problems relating what I am reeding on blank lists to what I need. Isn't age a wonderful way to help make a decision difficult?

Robert, I have a couple of Fenwick white two piece surf blanks, I will check to see if they come close to what you are looking for. 11 oz along with bait is a lot to cast, and will need a pretty stout rod blanks.

Thanks. Yes it is a lot to cast. I looked back on a very old floppy " remember them any way" Fenwick 1264 is one of the blanks I used to use. It does not have to be a Fenwick just looking for a modern equivalent or better. A particular brand of blank is not too important in this build Fenwick is what used to be easily available in the area I live. Now we have to send for everything no one local supplies these components any more.

there are a lot of rods listed for 16 oz lure weight

Bill - willierods.com

Right on so I am looking for the oz a rod can cast not the line weight listed on the rod ?

Yes, most surf rod blanks will come with a recommended weight range window, with the sweet spot usually in the middle of the range.

Example, the Rainshadow SUR1508F is a 12'6" 2-piece surf blank rated for 4-12 oz. This is one that would handle your situation well. Lamiglas also has several models in graphite and fiberglass that would fit your need. Look at the lure rating on the blank to get your target weight range, and don't forget to add on some for the bait along with your weight.

I build similar rods but for bank fishing sturgeon on the Columbia River. Lamiglas is the most requested blank in this fishery, but Rainshadow makes good surf rods as well.

Terry

Robert, sorry, the surf blanks that I have are all rated for 3-6 oz's.

Thanks I allways find it is best tobe informed about what you are doing.This information clears the mud a bit so I understand what I am looking at better.

Thats Ok Randolph I do appreciate you checking that out for me just the same.

If you don't need to cast at typical surf rod distances, there may be even more options in the shorter rods. But then you'll be taking more leverage from the fish and it may not be as much fun fighting them.