I met someone through work. A good guy; poor, honest, god fearing christian. We meet about once a month and he always expresses gratitude for things I have mentioned to improve his fishing sucess and reduce damage to rods. I suspect he has never been able to afford a decent rod. He is not from this country and is fairly ignorant of rods and reels. I find myself wishing to help (despite not having the money to help myself).

So I'm looking for a reasonable priced inshore rod. I want it to be a drastic improvment over anything he has ever had. I want it to have some degree of durability. I'd like it to be affordable enough for me to make a gift of it. I'm thinking along the lines of a 7', M to MH, SC2 from rodgeeks.

Lets call my budget around a $100 for the total build. Any blank suggestions are much appreciated. Could be some S-glass blanks or composites out there that would be better choices that I am unaware of. I do think he could be educated to treat something in an appropiate way. For that reason I'm leaning towards 100% graphite. Please help me help a "good guy".

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

About the only way to build a rod that is much more durable than average is to make is from fiberglass or fiberglass composite. So, I would suggest many of the inshore blanks that are available that are either 100% fiberglass, or a composite with a good mix of fiberglass in the blank.

For example:

[www.rainshadowrodblanks.com]

Take a look at the CRB lines at mudhole. There is a good selection depending on what you intend to use it for. The prices are good as is the quality. You should easily stay within your budget.

I also think you should consider the CRB blanks from Mudhole. Inexpensive and tough. I just finished 3 for a man that is "hard on rods".
Rog

Hi,

RODgeeks SG series, fiberglass and durable. I built and now fish on the Sg79mm, mh and hm. They work!

Don't laugh now. The old style solid fiberglass. They are cheap and last forever. The smaller ones are reasonably light weight and catch fish. I still build on them for mates on one of my favorite party boats.

Capt Neil Faulkner

I could not agree more if the person is hard on rods a composite or fiber glass is the ticket the crb are nice rods.

Hello Russell.

Another vote for the CRB's, I've only gotten 1 back that was broken (12") and that was in a car door, I made it into a heavy bottom rod and the guy is still using it.

Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

Which one of the CRB blanks are you guys talking about? I see they have a inshore models but they are currently listed as sold out. They also have e-glass and IM6 ones.

Are they good enough to "be a drastic improvement over anything he has ever had"? Assume has has bought things under the $75 retail mark (I don't actually know).

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Hello Russell.

I've used the Color, Gorilla, and the E-Glass blanks and have had no trouble with any of them, the Gorilla being the toughest but shorter than what you want, the E-Glass would be next and has the largest variety of ratings, then the Color blanks which have the color choices as a main point, in any case your hardest point to cover is getting a rod (Total Build) that is "a drastic improvement over anything he has ever had" under $100.00.

Good Luck Russell.

Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

Greetings,

I would suggest you try [www.jannsnetcraft.com]
They stock 7' fiberglass blanks in the 12-30lb range for less than $40.
I have used them before with no issues

Good luck