I am looking to build a 7-8 weight fast action bass rod around 8' in length, similar to the sage bass II without the hefty price tag. Uses will mainly be kayak fishing for bass and shore fishing along creeks and ponds. Since I cannot find any premade blanks other than the Bass II, I was considering getting a longer 2 piece blank and taking some length off the tip and butt sections. If I were to do this would it increase or decrease the rated line weight. My thinking is that cutting down a 6 wt. for example would make it more of a 7 wt but not sure. Or if anyone knows of a blank that would fit my needs let me know.

This is where the common cents system should come in real handy for you. This way you can postion the rod in the holder and tie off to whatever portion you plan to cut and dial it in until it is exactly a 7wt and then cut! Better to know before cutting than after.

Cutting the rod is going to result in a slower action. I would increase the rated line weight per the same line length/distance and this is the important thing to remember for you. What is a "7-weight rod?" There is no real answer for that, as any rod will cast a 7-weight line at some distance.

Now if you know you like the Sage and know what it's CCS ERN figure is, you can go to work. But you'll have to have a blank in hand to do that with.

At one time St. Croix made a bass fly rod in the 8'9" length although I can't remember what the rated line weight was nor at what distance it was designed to carry that weight. Before cutting anything I'd at least try to find the closet length to 8' you can in the same line weight rating you want. Surely there are a few 8'6" fast action 6-weights that might be good candidates for what you want to do. Cutting 3 and 3 might do it, but even then it's really going to slow the action down. I'd hope it wouldn't be "clubby" feeling.

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take a look at some of the 8ft popping blanks. a moderate popping blank will be fast and should work good for what you are trying to accomplish the castaway 963 makes a very nice one piece fast and powerful 8wt

HS9600-2-MHX is one that I use with great success. 8 ft - 2 pc.

Bob McKamey
Mud Hole Custom Tackle
bobm@mudhole.com

There ya go And a nice price to boot

Bill - willierods.com

Richard,
Look for a blank at 8' long with a butt of .370 and a tip at 4/64.
IM7 material with a weight of 1.6 oz.
Mid blank should be approx .240.
This should throw a 7 to 8 weight easily.
I believe the HS9600 may be a little stout.

Good luck
Gene

Thanks everyone, I didn't even think about using a popping blank.

I second Bob's recommendation of the MHX HS9600. It will cast an 8wt. line very nicely, it has enough power in the butt to yank bass out of the weeds and the price is right.