I want to build a 10' to 12' travel casting rod (four to six sections) for bobber/jig steelhead fishing in the Pacific Northwest and I would appreciate y'alls input on a good blank. I generally use 1/2oz to 1oz jig/weight combination with 20# braid main line. I'm leaning toward the ALPS "TexTouch" trigger reel seat, Fuji Titanium SiC guides, and EVA or cork/shrink wrap handles.

I was told an 8wt spey or switch rod would be good, but when I talked to the US rep for CTS he said the 8wt wouldn't have enough spine for 10# to 20# steelhead. I'd like to keep the blank cost under $200 if at all possible.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

If you can live with 9' get a TFO TiCr-x 11 or 12wt fly blank. From what I have been told by a couple of my friends who are using such, it is the closest you can get to a 1 oz. 17-18lb spinning/casting S&S rod.

I build a float rod for steelhead using a Batson RX6 6/7wt 11'6" 4pc Spey blank. It was my primary rod for steelhead for several years, and I battled many salmon over 20lbs. ERN = 10.16 so the equivalent of a strong 9wt single handed fly rod. AA = 68. I cast 3/4 to 1 oz of weight with no issues.
Mine is wrapped for a levelwind reel and the only aspect I don't like is that it is much, much slower action compared to my new Batson XST1263 (ERN=12.55, AA = 77). The XST casts much nicer for larger flows.

If you are fishing the Skeena region you might want something a little more powerful than the 6/7wt, but an 8wt Spey blank should be more than sufficient.

If it's any help here are the weights of Rio's spey line "heads" - the weight the rod blank is designed to cast:

8 wt. spey rod: 1 1/4 oz.

9 wt. spey rod: 1 1/3 oz.

11 wt . spey rod: 1 7/10 oz.

The power necessary to fight the fight steelheads you intend to catch depends more upon the strength of the leader you intend to use than anything else.

Check out the UHM 12 4PC 12' for 7/8 wt. At Anglers Roost. A sponsor in the list at the left. It should fit your purpose.