Im going to be building a spinning rod as a birthday gift for someone in Indiana who would use it for spec, bluegill, crappie. Not sure what type of fishing of that type are in the area and afraid to ask to many questions since its in a corporate office which is like Payton Place. I'm guessing a 6.5 foot 1/2 oz. Lure weight? That sounds short to me. Any suggestions on blank length, lure and line weight also handle length from butt to reel would be helpful and appreciated.

Phil

I would start by using the search option on top of main page. It's loaded with information. Type in what you are building and set to search all words. Then open the search to all dates. It's a good starting point. MH

You can also do a Google Search on the state and fish and if you know the lake or river he will be fishing you can get a good idea of what people use and how they use it It is a start

Bill - willierods.com

Phil, I live in Indiana and build quite a few 6.5' and 7' UL and Light power rods for the panfish around here. I don't necessarily think that 6.5' is too short, unless he likes to spider rig for crappie. The top end lure rating, IMHO, shouldn't be higher than 3/8ths oz, unless he is throwing something under a bobber or mini crankbaits. I say this with full disclosure that i love my ultralight rods for panfish. If you think that might be too light I would think something like a Spin Jig rod in a "2" power either 6.5' or 7' would work on the panfish as well. I've got one that I river fish for smallmouth with small tubes that average about 1.75# with the occasional 4.5#. Handle length I would go somewhere around 8-10" butt to bottom of the seat, but even this could be shorter, he won't really need the extra length to lever the butt against his chest while playing a fish. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/08/2015 10:40PM by Jared Taylor.

Phil,

I sent you a link to read up on on Indian panfishing. The Batson 7' 0 power popping rods are fantastic all around panfish rods, and will serve your client well.

Oh, I forgot to add, for rods 6'6"-7', I like he butt to measure 9.75" from butt to reel stem. I would have to double check, but this would typically correspond to about an 8" butt grip with an uplocking seat, or about 8.5" with a downlinking seat. If a reel seat is used, I prefer an 18mm seat. If building the rod uplocking I'll trim about 1/2" of threads off to make the seat length comparable to a standard 17mm seat. If building with the seat downlocking, I'll trim off all excess threads and leave off the fore grip. Though, my preferred grip is a split TN handle with the reel wrapped on with thread, something that will be tough to do in a gift situation.

Joe



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/08/2015 10:59PM by Joe Vanfossen.

Joe, I agree with you on handle length and I like at least a size 17 on my personal rods. Those Batson popping rods are a fantastic choice. I second your suggestion x10. Phil, Joe is dead on with a "0" power for panfish here.

I fish a lot of gills and specks here in Mi and Indiana. Joe is right on with his blank suggestion. The IP840 is a fantastic blank for this application. Batson also recently came out with the revelation series. The REVS72UL is another great choice. The REVS is a little faster action than the IP. I like it better for torpedo bobber fishing with a fly or tight lining for gills and redears on the beds. The IP840 is a great rod for bobber fishing crappies (specks) because of the softer action. Crappies have a soft mouth and the action helps keep the hook from pulling out. Both come in at 7' which is pretty average for panfishing around here.
Good luck
Vic

Jared Taylor Wrote:
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> Joe, I agree with you on handle length and I like
> at least a size 17 on my personal rods. Those
> Batson popping rods are a fantastic choice. I
> second your suggestion x10. Phil, Joe is dead on
> with a "0" power for panfish here.

X3....handle length is spot on. All my personal spinning rods in 6'6"-7' are 9.5" from butt to stem and ive moved up to a size 17 reel seat. Perfect imo