Hello all,

I am looking to build a "sensitive" 7' to 8' spinning rod for trout fishing in Pennsylvania. I want to use 2-4# line, live minnows and small spinners. I often cast underhand to get under tree cover, etc.

I want to do a budget build, keep the cost under $75.00. I want to feel the minnow and split shot bouncing along. What blanks fit the bill? Also, what line guides would you recommend. I have a quality 2000 and 3000 sized reel available to me now.

Thanks

Jesse

This is certainly an interesting project. I'd try to stay with a fast action rod with a very light tip if possible.

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

The MHX S841 might be a good choice for you. Set it up with Pac Bay minimas and EVA grips to meet your budget.

jeremy

I will go over budget to get it right, I like cork grips, prefer a full length but would consider the "poodle tail" style if you guys think its better. I am looking to build a specific rod to meet my needs. I fish with a group of guys and it gets very competitive, I want an edge.

I have been using a cheap 6 1/2' rod, doing ok, but I am sure I am missing strikes because its too soft.

Jesse

You could try the Phenix Ultra Light FX761-2 or FX801-2 but they are way over your budget as they are 100 for the blank but they're very sensitive rods with a good fast action tip and almost exactly what you're looking for. Otherwise for within the budget I would do the S841-MHX or the S871-2MHX. To cut on overall weight stick with your split grip style but if you want maximum sensitivity you can use a reel seat that allows you to touch the blank. You might even look into using a fly rod blank as well.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/16/2014 09:18PM by Nathan Elswick.

Do you think that an 8' fast action fly rod would be sensitive enough for what I am looking for? If so, what would you recommend?

I believe it would still yield enough sensitivity. For your price range I would do a Rainshadow F804-2 the price on the blank is 31 dollars. Its the closest thing I can find to what you're looking for. You could even try the Rainshadow IF793-4 however its 7 ft 9 in and is 4 pieces and price is 60.

I am no expert but I think you are selling your self short with that buddget if you want to be better than your friends the buddget is light by about $50 I think

William Sidney
AK

Check out Getbitoutdoors. The have Batson RX8 7'6" 4wt blanks on sale. They could be just the thing for you

I lived in Arkansas for the better part of a decade and spent a lot of time on the white and Norfork rivers doing exactly the kind of fishing you describe. All of the above are good recommendations, but the St. Croix 2S70MLF is purpose built for exactly what you are doing and it excels at that type of fishing. And the SCIII and SCIV versions are even better!

Not in your price range I realize, but that blank is the perfect combination of enough backbone and strength to manage bottom bouncing the necessary weight in high water/generation and the soft tip finesse you need to cast fish and not break them off on 2 lb. leader. It costs more than you want to spend, but you will never be sorry you went with that blank for any other reason.

If you need to spend less, the MHX S-841 and and S-842 are also very good.

If you want 8', I'd extend one of these 7' blanks as I have not found an 8' that does not get sort of noodly. Hope this helps.

You also said you cast underhand cause of trees and cover
Will that 8' rod be more of a bother with trees around ???

Bill - willierods.com

There are a number of 7 foot ultra lights moderate action that will work just fine.
For trout, with their runs, I bit slower action rod works better than a faster action rod. Just make the overall action of the rod light enough and you will be good to go.

Any of the ultra light 7 foot rods on the market will work well for you. No need at all to be spending much more than $30 or $40 for the blank.

I think that the key is to purchase a blank marked S which is a marking for a general purpose spinning rod with a uniform taper from the tip to the butt.
Don't go with an SJ or spin and jig, because the butt section tends to bulk up too much for this type fishing.

Actually another rod that works well for this is a light action "popping" blank.

Good luck

Agree with Roger a1power popping blank would work well for you.
Ricky

Jesse,
My first choice would be a 7-1/2 foot 4 weight 2-piece fly rod blank.
The more you are willing to spend the better your hook set will be.
Keep the tip very light. Titanium frame guides and fly rod tip top Recoil.
If the guides wear replace as necessary. No ceramic inserts except stripper guide.
The guide train could be light wire titanium single foot fly guides.
Minimize the number of guides 8 max.
Your first priority will be keeping the rod as quick as possible. You've the rod length to sweep a lot of line, don't slow it down with a heavy guide train.

Gene

Jesse,
My first choice would be a 7-1/2 foot 4 weight 2-piece fly rod blank.
The more you are willing to spend the better your hook set will be.
Keep the tip very light. Titanium frame guides and fly rod tip top Recoil.
If the guides wear replace as necessary. No ceramic inserts except stripper guide.
The guide train could be light wire titanium single foot fly guides.
Minimize the number of guides 8 max.
Your first priority will be keeping the rod as quick as possible. You've the rod length to sweep a lot of line, don't slow it down with a heavy guide train.

Gene

I agree with Eugene on the use of light components on this rod.
However, no need to go to the expense of titanium or recoil guides. Pac bay minima guides are very close to the same weight at a fraction of the cost of the other guides.

Be safe

Well, Cabelas had a 7' graphite Eagle, feels great, looks fine, so it went home with me. I need the rod today. I am still going to build one during the winter for next year. Im thinking hi modulus, fast action 3 or 4 wt 7.5' 2 pc. rod.... thanks to all who gave me some info.

I will let you know if I like the Fenwick... it actually felt better in hand than did the St. Croix.

Jesse