I have a guy that could use a few rods having just bought a boat. His concern is that "everyone from my son to my grandson will be using them. The only rod storage is under the gunnel. So they need to be durable enough for all of this".

The first pair of blanks I built for him were Lamiglas tri-flexs (TXC841M). He was pleased. Fist time out his son got a decent amberjack and he got a nice sailfish. Now it is time for a couple of general purpose (salt water) spinning rods. The larger reel will be a shimano 8000 stradic. Figure one spool with lighter mono and one with braid....about 250 yards of each. Thinking around a 15-30# rated blank.

I'd like to give him a St. Croix but I couldn't honestly call it a "durable" blank in the same way I could a composite. So if you were looking for best combo of sensitive and durable for a 7 foot 15-30# spinning blank for all around salt water fishing....what would you pick.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

I don't like all graphite or thin walls for boats. I would say a nice mid modulus ( IM6+ or IM7 type) range since most will still have some glass in them and they are durable within reason.

St Croix makes a pretty wide range of rod models. The SCIII are reasonably tough and still offer very nice performance.

..................

Russ,\
Give Kerry a call at Batson Rods,
They have some great composite rods that might be just the ticket for what you are looking for.

Roger

A couple of suggestions.

Batsons RX4/Composite SWS70MH. These are durable being composite but still light. This is the 7' 15-30 model.

Lamiglas Tri-Flex (also composite) GTF 84 1M, or, TXC 84 1M. Both rated 15-30, 7'.

Can't go wrong with either one of these. I built some sailfish rods on the Tri-Flex blanks and the customer loved them.

Terry

Tom, am I that transparent? I have a 3SW70HF that I intend to pair with the same reel. I'm trying to convince him it will be durable enough. However I do admit that I wouldn't hand it over to just anyone to use. Do you think the 2SW70HF would be much tougher? Good chance I'm guilty of being overly cautious. I just hate to recommend something to a friend and have it go wrong.

I've always wondered just which blank# you used in the magazine article! Still stunned by how consistent they were.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

It would be tougher, but also a bit heavier. There's enough difference between them to feel it in the hand.

...........

Than there are the Calstar Graphiter and Seeker Super Seeker, Hercules, and Black Steel blanks.