I'm thinking of assembling a new ultralight spinning rod. I have an ugly stick and a rod I assembled a few years back using a Shakespeare graphite blank. The ugly stick 5'6" is a good rod with the shakespeare blank I assembled a little better in that it is more sensitive and casts slightly farther. Both rods are pretty much limited to 1/16th ounce or greater lure weight. What I'd like to build is a rod with more sensitivty and the ability to cast a 1/32nd ounce lure. can anyone recommend a blank and/or manufacturer? How about the long crappie/noodle rods? Do they offer increased casting distance?

Try using a weighted buttcap.I use Fuji's balance cap on all my m-ul rods.This extra weight seems to load the tip for more distance and control .As for blanks ,more length normaly means more distance,but you will sacrifice control.All-star 10x series,great looking , very light, and sensetive for the money.

Don't know for sure about which brand blank is better, but I think you would get better results if you went to a 7" rod. That's what I use and have good luck with it.
Murf

I do a lot of UL trout fishing, and one of the latest crazes here in Southern California is using fly blanks, and wrapping them as spinning rods.

What type of fishing are you going to be doing with the UL? Trout fishing? Also what lures are you tossing? If this is the case, you'll most likely want a rod between 6'6" and 8'6". I just got done wrapping a 8'6" fenwich HMX blank, and i'm in the process of wrapping two amtak 6'6" blanks for trout fishing.

I get great distance with my 6'6" rods that I use now.

I built an ultralight rod back in 1995 using Loomis GL2 6' 1 piece UL blank moderate fast action with high frame sic match guides.

It's a beauty casts superbly, looks great and is my favorite UL rod, not too long, not too short.

You did not say what type of fishing you intend for this rod. That has a great deal to do with it.

I have several UL's but my favorite is a 6' St Croix 1 piece that I use on the small rivers for trout. 1/32 to 1/8 oz lures and 2 or 4 lb test line. A long rod would cast better but I don't need it in the tighter confines of a meandering river.

One of the great things about building your own rods is that you can afford to build several for the price of a store bought and have a rod that really fits yours specific needs instead of a compromise.

I just built an Pacific Bay UL. Mudhole had the blanks on sale for half the price as one of the retail guys here in town. I haven't fished it yet, but just the feel of it when I pick it up gets me excited. The blanks are 6'6", perfect length for most UL lure fishing. Good Luck!

First, thanks for all the replies. I like to fish for panfish and small bass, normally using the new micro plugs, jigs, and small spinner baits. I was in Maine two years ago and hooked about a 31/2 pound small mouth on my ultalight ugly stick, using 4lb test spiderline. Although it eventually threw the hook while I was tightening the drag, it was much more enjoyable than on a heavier rod. How do you select a fly rod blank to use as a spinning rod? What type of action and or line weight should I be looking for.

Thnaks agian

Wayne,
An ultralight blank in 5'6" from Rainshadow model IS660 might be one to consider. Also I'd recommend St. Croix 2S60ULF.
Either of these are withing your lure wt. paramaters.

We carry Rainshadow and St. Croix blanks as a stocking distributor. Let me know if I can help.

Rich Garbowski
Richard's Rod & Reel
807-486-0514

I built a 9' PacBay 1-4 lb. rod and I love it. I can cast a 1/32-1/64 jig with no problem.

Ken
Which PacBay blank did you use?
Stan

I've built several ultra lite rods and really like the 7' (1 pc.) loomis gl3 ultra lite blank which will handle the 1/32 oz lures. I personally use a 7 1/2' to 8' 2 pc. fly rod rated for a 3-4 wt. line. I use the concept guides. With these rods i can cast 2# test line with micro and ice fishing jigs with ease for pan fish. hope this helps, duane

Im not sure any more it has ben a couple of years. It was probaly a fly rod blank. (2-pc)Let me ask my friends the have them also. I'll get back to you.

Sorry it took so long. The blank is a 108-2 salmon rod, Im not sure if they still make it.