Greetings all!
I am posting to ask about a project I have been researching for some time, but about which I have not come to a final conclusion. What I want to do is to build a rod for use in fresh water to get the maximum casting distance when shore fishing with small lures in cool and cold water lakes. Without mentioning specific brands, I use mostly 2” and 3” long balsa wood floater/diver plugs and wobble spoons, sometimes but less often topwaters with built in action. The bread and butter fish are moderately sized trout, bass and chain pickerel not often longer than 20”, though occasional trips include other species and larger individuals—but I don't want to compromise success with the common in order to accommodate a rare exception. Some of the things I have thought about include hot shot or other steelhead blanks, I have had my eye on the MHX HS9600-2 for some time. I have also thought about building a spinning rod on a 10wt fly rod, or extending a regular spinning blank. I would build any of the above for 2-handed casting. So, any thoughts on which of these would present the best chance for a successful distance casting outfit???
Thanks in advance!

NFC SSP767 - absolutely the closest thing to the G Loomis HS9000.

Get with Mo Yang, he has been working on this very thing for many years. His last post is half way down the page looking for the lightest 7 ft .4 wt. he can find.

Adam,
For that very application, I generally use either 10 or 11 foot lighter action steel head rods.
Perfect for the task since there is enough beef in the butt to really get the distance, that you DON't get with a lighter butt on the rod.

Be safe

Roger, how do you define "lighter action"? could you give some specs as an example?
Would you consider the hot shot blank in the first comment (or similar) "lighter action"?

First
All blanks are and need a certain weight to load the blank - or rod to cast to perfection
try to weight the lures you are going to cast Even fly line is a Weighted line 4-5-8-10 WT weight
Now
When a rod blank is labeled FLY it will cost you more !
A spin or cast blank will do and be better priced
If you have the room - no trees or any thing in the way A longer rod will cast father Suggestion Fast -- TIP flex I like St Croix But there are a lot out there
If you can use them the Salmon - steelhead blanks are nice
As you look wright them down and then see if any one here has used it


Todd at Mud hole knows his stuff

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/20/2013 03:29PM by bill boettcher.

Adam,
I would consider "lighter acrtion" as a blank that is rated for 4-8 lb line.

I think that the Hot Shot blank tends to have a bit too stiff a tip for this application, although it is certainly a very close second.

I commonly use my Hot Shot blank for this application, if I don't have my longer rod along.

Be safe

Adam,
just what is the lure range you are focusing on? Also what do you mean by 2 handed casting?

Todd

Regards,
Todd Vivian
Mud Hole Custom Tackle

todd@mudhole.com

Todd,
I never used to use both hands when casting. But after fishing with my buddy a lot, who could out cast my distance by 30-40%, I also changed over to exclusive 2- handed casting.

When you use both hands to cast, you can greatly increase the tip speed of the fishing rod, and hence the acceleration of the lure to let it fly much further.

Basically, you are holding the rod by the reel, and then when casting, you are pulling the butt of the rod toward you with the 2nd hand, while pushing the rod away from you. Much much further casting with the use of both hands, compared to using just a single hand that is most common.

Be safe

If you try it, you can just hear the difference. With two handed casting, you will actually hear the tip of the rod and lure whistling as the tip of the rod accelerates during two handed casting.

If distance is not the object and if you are accurate enough with a single hand, of course use it.
But if you want either or both better accuracy, or more distance, then try using both hands when casting.

Be safe

Most used lure weights = 1/8-1/2 oz. Roger has it correct about what I am thinking on casting style!

And I take it you are looking at a 2 pc. blank correct?

Todd

Regards,
Todd Vivian
Mud Hole Custom Tackle

todd@mudhole.com

There are some in that lure range in MHX salmon/steelhead 2 pc if you want 9-10 footer

Bill - willierods.com

I just finished my first build with the same goals as you described in your note. I used an amsh1141 light steelhead rod by ATC. It is a very light blank and I hope to give you a report by the middle of next week.

Sounds great! I look forward to reading it! thanks!

My fifty. Shore and distance... its all about the lenght of the blank/rod and the thickness of the line. So you need at least 9' or above..10 or 11' and the thinnest line possible for the specific lure and target fish.