I am going to be building a new set of trolling rods for my new boat. Got a grey hull. TLD 30 2 speeds and 50s. Looking for a good all around 30 class blank that I will be dolphin, wahoo and yellowfin fishing with. Also color option/suggestions for blank with a grey hull. Just Looking to do Cork fore grips about 8" long and Slick butts. Any Suggestions? Looking to go double roller for first guide and a roller tip. All other are ring guides prob.

Hi Casey,
We have a plethora of blanks and components to fit your needs.
Here is a start: [www.rainshadowrodblanks.com]
Need components? [www.alpsforecast.com]

R. McBride

Batson Enterprises
BatsonEnterprises.com | RainShadowRodBlanks.com | ALPSForeCast.com | Build2Fish.com

Hi Casey,
We have a plethora of blanks and components to fit your needs.
Here is a start: [www.rainshadowrodblanks.com]
Need components? [www.alpsforecast.com]

R. McBride

Batson Enterprises
BatsonEnterprises.com | RainShadowRodBlanks.com | ALPSForeCast.com | Build2Fish.com

Hi Casey,
I'll add on to Ryan's post by suggesting the blanks below as well as including the example build below that. Enjoy your build.

FSU56H-GB
RT6350-GB
TS66MH-GB
RCTB60H-CG

Component Part Number Part Description

Rod Blank Model # FSU56H-GB 5'6" 1 pc. 30-50 Hvy Saltwater Stand-Up
Butt Cap: LBC30B #30 Large Butt Cap
Gimbal: AXG27-B New design Alum gimbal-Black-ALPS
Rear Grip: Slick 10 Molded Butt 10"-Black w/TR
Reel Seat: ETAHD22M-B Easy Tight HVY Duty Alum Machined R/S 24 - Black
Fore Grip: BSFS14-500/625 14" Foregrip Tapered I.D.: .500"- .625" EVA-Black
Fore Grip Cover: HST-1.57X39.4-B Heat Shrink Tube ( DIA 40) X-Flock 1.57" IDx39.4"-Black
Winding Check: BH09 Hosel .563" I.D.
Tip Top: BRXST3-11.0 Roller Top SS316 Roller 11.0 Tube-6061 alum frame 30/50lb-Black
Guides (see below for size and quantity): BRXSG & XBHXNLG Roller Gde SS316 Roller-6061 alum frame 30/50lb-Black & Heavy XN Guides


Guide order from the tip top Guide Guide Placement - In inches from the tip top
1st XBHXNLG10 4.75"
2nd XBHXNLG10 10"
3rd XBHXNLG12 15.5"
4th XBHXNLG16 21.5"
5th BRXSG35 28.5"

-The Batson TEAM
BatsonEnterprises.com

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/25/2015 05:43PM by Geoff Staples.

Going to make this rod a bit more sexy with cork fore grips. at one point in time I had bought some 8" fore grips about 1.25 to 1.5 in diameter. but I have not been able to find them again. Guess the only way is to make/lathe my own. Got em at the ICRBE 3 yrs ago. Thx for the sugestions. Looking to go on the light side of 30. Mostly catching 10-40lb dolphins off the east coast of NC. I will have to investigate this blank option. Thx again.

Between the reel and the desire to use a roller guide striper and tip.....I'd say you have people thinking you want a super duty stand-up 30# class rod. Maybe you don't?

FWIW my general purpose 30# trolling outfit is an Avet LX mounted on a rclb70ml blank. I used virtus guides. Probably get my clock cleaned with a decent yellowfin but I'm not afraid of any dolphin/wahoo/sailfish. Outfit is fairly light, durable, and cost effective.....plus I can cast it suprisingly well for a lever drag.

I'd save the two speed reel and roller guides for 50# class and up.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

I think Russell nailed it - RCLB70ML or even RCLB70L for a 7' set up. For 6'6" I love the MHX Saltwater SW66H - excellent blank for what you are doing. Both also double as light bottom rods very well if spooled with braid and a mono / fluoro topshot.

At risk of answering a different question than you asked, it seems crazy to me to put rollers on a 30# rod used for light duty like you are describing. I have had excellent luck using Virtus Lite or Fuji KWAG double footed guides and tips for rods in this class. These rods - outfitted with your TLD 30 - will land YFT to 80# and AJs to 60# with ease. This is not speculation - this is what I have caught on them in calendar year 2015. Although I am using Truth SGs and Daiwa Saltiga 2-speeds in the same 30 size.

I spiral wrap them with the first guide offset toward the non-crank side. This configuration helps you with line leveling using the thumb of your non-reeling hand. But you could build them guides on top as well. Hope this helps - good luck!