Hi, this is my first post on the forum.

During the warmer months I enjoy free lining for carp on the surface of a couple of small local ponds.
The fish range between 4-15lbs.

I've tried 4 different commercial rods so far, none have been great.

I don't know much about rods, but I'd like to have a go at building one that is perfectly suited to this job.

This is what I'm looking for.

: 10-11' 3pc to fit in the boot of a car when travelling with family.

: Suited for mono from 6-10lbs, and sometimes braid to 0.23mm.

: Hook setting potential. So far a float rod with a through action and soft cushioning tip has worked best.

: Casting range. This is a priority. I need to be able to cast a free line small bait (around 1gram) as far as possible. Do guides and tip ring diameter play a big part in casting range?

: Strong enough to cope with hard fighting carp upto 15lb, but still be fun with smaller fish of 4lbs.

: Light enough to carry in the hand all day (it will be paired with a Shakespeare Supreme 035 reel).

Is there anything else I should be taking into consideration?

I live in the UK, so may have less selection of blanks to choose from without importing.

I'll be very grateful for any advise given regarding suitable blanks/guides and tips to achieving my goal with the build.

Thanks
Dave

Have you considered a steelhead blank?

John E Powell Wrote:
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> Have you considered a steelhead blank?
Hi John, No, would a steelhead blank be suitable for my needs?
Any blank in particular?

Thanks
Dave

I have no experience with your style of fishing so I would not recommend anything specifically. A steelhead blank is just a suggestion based on the length, action and power you described in your original post to help refine your blank search. I'm sure you'll get more specific recommendations as your thread progresses.

I understand thanks.

Dave
On the casting distance and for accuracy if available in the U.K. I would definitely suggest the American Tackle Microwave guide system. It will definitely give you the longest cast.

And welcome to the forum.

Tom



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/15/2015 10:32AM by Tom Wewerka.

Thanks Tom,

I saw this system last year. Look's bizarre, but if it works...

Dave

Dave,
The microwave guide system is one of many excellent systems that will give you a great rod. Any well designed guide system will give you excellent and about equal casting distance.

That is the advantage of today's excellent products. You have your choice of many to choose from.

Be safe

Thanks Roger,

I bought a rod a few weeks ago hoping it would work well after reading reviews.
It's a Maver Abyss X 10ft match rod.
Out of all the rods I've tried this was the worst regarding casting distance, I'm guessing because of the guides and tip eye being too small, even though I was only using 6lb mono and the rod was rated to 6lbs.

On the other hand, it was the best on the strike and I didn't bump a single fish off.

Dave,
Many match rods are made with an extremely soft tip section for up to 1/2 of the rod length.

As a result, when one casts such a rod, there is not sufficient back bone in the front 1/2 of the blank to help very much during the cast.

I would expect that even by changing the guide set to a more optimum guides set that you would really gain very little to the cast.

When you look at the videos of match fishing, much of the hook placement as the rod is being cast, is more of a lop of the line that is already hanging off of the end of the rod. Hence, there is no downside to having the very soft tip and upper half section, because, many of these folks are looking for bites from some very small fish and need the rod to be able to telegraph those nibbles to the fishermen as well as to have a soft enough upper section to not let a fish slip free of the hook.

Example in video below:

[www.prestoninnovations.com]

[www.youtube.com]

All that work for those tinny fish ??? Better off chuming and then throwing a net over them catch a lot at one time

Bill - willierods.com

Thanks for the info and links Roger.

What type of blank would you say would be suitable for my needs?
What kind of action would be perfect for setting the hook, as well as perfect for casting light weights?

Like I mentioned in my original post, I don't know much about rods, but I do know that having the right one for the job makes all the difference.

I mainly fish with lures. I only have 2 rods, but they are perfectly suited to the their job and a pleasure to use.
7' 5-21g X-fast Toray.
7' 1-7g slow Phenix Elixir.

Thanks
Dave

Bill,
Big money to catch those tiny fish in "match tournaments"

It is not about the size of the fish - it is about the competition.

I only hope it is Real Big Money

Bill - willierods.com

Hi Dave, drop me an email and i'll send you my telephone number.

I'm in the UK and can probably help you out.

best,
Marty

W.V.A. Custom Rods
UK

Dave,
You might consider a two hand or switch fly rod blank.
Most I've seen are 4 piece but the lengths are in your range.
Based on the weight your using I would suggest a 4 or 5 weight.

Gene

Thanks Marty, email sent.
Dave

Eugene Moore Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dave,
> You might consider a two hand or switch fly rod
> blank.
> Most I've seen are 4 piece but the lengths are in
> your range.
> Based on the weight your using I would suggest a 4
> or 5 weight.
>
> Gene
Thanks Gene,

What kind of action would that type of rod have?

Dave

Dave,
The action is more moderate than most casting rods. Even a fast fly rod is still a progressive action.
The rod will flex toward the grip when casting and into the grip when playing a fish.
I wouldn't consider it slow just more tip flex than you might be used to.

Gene

Your really casting only 1 gram, .035 oz, about 1/32th of an ounce? I have a 12 ft. 3 pc., 1-4 KG line weight match rod I've had for 30 years, throws small stuff well, but line and reel friction and design I think would restrict any real advantages from length pretty quickly.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/16/2015 09:29PM by Spencer Phipps.