Hello all,

First off, merry holidays and happy new year etc. etc. etc. I recently took some time off of building to deal with some silly stuff like SATs and college applications, but today, on a whim, decided its the prefect time to start again! I somehow came into possession of a 8ft 5wt fly blank, and decided to make it a rod for crappies and sunfish. It is a Cabela's Tradition II blank, id say medium light action, very high in the tip. Any suggestions and tips from guys who have done things similar? I don't have experience with fly blanks, components and such, I mostly build heavy duty SW stuff, so this is new to me. Thanks - TB

Lots of crappie rods have been built from 4 and 5 weight fly rods. Since you're starting with a naked blank, you can tailor the reel seat and grip to your liking. Most often you see guys putting the reel in the standard fly reel position, at the end of the rod and making do that way because they bought a finished rod. Starting with the blank, you can do it any way you like.

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

Tyler,

I guess we would be best suited to provide advice if we knew what you were using as:

Drop shot, dip rod, slip float ect.....

These rods are all used for the same fish but built in a different set up depending on what you are going to do with them.

Standing by to assist where I can.

r/

Eric

Just set it up as a standard spinning rod with light guides and a reel at about 12 inches from the butt of the rod and you will be in good shape.

Be safe

Tyler

Once the grip is removed, guides stripped off and the blank refinished it becomes aother fishing rod blank and its use is limited only by your imaganation.
I have made a pan fish rod from a light fly rod and it turned out great.

Have fun

John

I was building some crappie and white bass rod on fly blank ALL STAR AUSTIN(TITANIUM)9' W4, W5 using MATCH guides model "M".
Very good rods and i was able to catch and 15 lb. flathead catfish,buffalo carp fishing with jigs and FIRELINE SMOKE 4 lb.+4 lb. flourocarbon leader on TRINITY RIVER ,below LIVINGSTON DAM ,TEXAS,from the bank

I was building some crappie and white bass rod on fly blank ALL STAR AUSTIN(TITANIUM)9' W4, W5 using MATCH guides model "M".
Very good rods and i was able to catch and 15 lb. flathead catfish,buffalo carp fishing with jigs and FIRELINE SMOKE 4 lb.+4 lb. flourocarbon leader on TRINITY RIVER ,below LIVINGSTON DAM ,TEXAS,from the bank

No rocket science here, agree with Roger, just treat it like any other spinning rod. I suggest you be careful about the 12" recommendation, however. Put the reel where it allows the butt to clear your inner elbow when pivoting it with the wrist with the clothing you will most often be wearing. If it doesn't clear, it will drive you crazy. I would pick a reel and design the guide train around that reel., You'll love it, and the soft, slow action will keep the hook in the crappie's mouth nicely. I have a 7 1/2 foot 3 weight that I did with a size 50 Shimano reel, and it's just a wonderful panfish rod. In open water, it has taken some much bigger fish than panfish, too.