Greetings. This is my first post. I like that fact that real names are used on the site. It's nice to see people who aren't hiding behind some internet pseudonym for a change.

Full Disclosure: I'm not a rod builder, and probably never will be. (I do tie flies and make my own lures, so I'm not a complete troglodyte.)

I am seeking advice on blank selection for 4 rods I want to have built for me. I am an avid offshore fisherman, frequently working the NE canyons for pelagics during the late summer and autumn. I already have a full complement of custom built short (5-1/2') stout offshore tuna trolling rods with Penn 50 VSW's and 30 VSW's, but they guy who did them for me several years ago is no longer doing it. What I am now looking is a set of 4 rods that will be dedicated to night time bait fishing for tuna. I want something somewhat longer to help work fish out from under the boat, and away from props and rudders. I want stiff but light rods that I can pair with Accurate BX-2 (500 size), Penn Torque, or similar light weight two speed lever drag reels. I'm thinking either 6' or 6' 3". I'd like to keep the weight as low as possible, so I'm not sure if I want unibutts or just straight full rods. Any good advice would be welcome. Thanks in advance.
Bob

Bob,
I LIVE for late summer and fall to fish the canyons for tuna! My favorite "style" is night time chunking on party or six packs. I don't have my own boat and prefer party boats. I looked around a long time for the perfect rod for chunking and that's what lead me to rod building. I couldn't find exactly what I wanted so I learned how to do it myself.
Long story short...I've been having great luck with MXH Saltwater blanks from Mudhole. I use their 7' 40-80lb and 60-100lb models because I like the longer length for higher party boats but, I think they're available in 6' and 6 1/2' also. The blanks are a beautiful, high gloss, carbon fiber and kevlar blend and are light as a feather. I use American Tackle Virtus Heavy guides, spiral wrapped, which are also light and strong. Pair these with a lightweight reel and they're a pleasure to hold all night long. You can view the blanks and guides on Mudhole's site (link to the left).
Shorts

Thanks. I will check them out. One of my regular crew is pushing the Calstar Grafighters. I guess I need to find a place where I can lay my hands on them and compare - hopefully side by side.

Where do you fish out of? I'm running out of Westerly RI and sometimes we have open seats. We usually do minimum double overnighters, and try for triples when the wx permits. Not a charter. Private boat. We split the costs and split the catch equally.

Hey Bob,
I'm not sure where, other than Mudhole, that you could handle an MHX Saltwater blank. Maybe someone on this board knows and can chime in. It's kind of unfortunate. I just rolled the dice and bought one to try and I'm super glad I did. I have a Grafighter 7' GF700XL which also turned out to be a very good rod but, I still like the MXH blanks better. The MHX is MUCH lighter and just as strong, if that's an issue for you. I use Avet HXW Raptor 2 speed reels on 2 rods and Shimano Talica 25 II on 2 other rods and really enjoy their lightweight feel to hold yet strength and power to fight.
I usually fish on boats that leave from the Point Pleasant, NJ area. Most trips are 24 to 48 hours. The longer the better for me. Like you said, the weather that time of year is usually the trip length governor. I would like the opportunity to fill out a trip with you. My boss is pretty cool about time off during "tuna season" so I can typically go on a moments notice. My email address is jon.kistler@yahoo.com if something comes open. Thank you.

Hi Bob,

I love the calstar e-glass and grafighter series rods, but it might be because I'm west coast brainwashed.

Nick

Well, light stiff and strong are my goals. I want a bit more length to give us more flexibility working stubborn fish around the running gear. My boat draws 4 - 1/2', so being able to work a slightly longer rod to keep the fish out of the screws would be helpful.

BTW, that was some game that just ended. I dont really care about either team, but what a nuthouse ending.

I appreciate the feedback guys. And I'll add you to my call list Jon. I have one regular crew member that drives up to my club in Westerly RI from Jersey.

Take a peek at the Batson RCKJB lineup. Skinny, brutally strong.

If it was me,I wouldnt bother with unibutts on a chunking rod. If you want something a little longer then your standard stand up rig, Id take a look at some of the long range blanks. You really cant go wrong with Seeker or Calstar blanks. Seeker cts60xh, ctsf6060xh, ctsf60xxh are all 6 footers but that last one is for 80#. then theres ctsf63 of varied action and line wt. that are all nice blanks. Calstar options are even bigger, check out mudhole theyve got all of them.
Hope that helps

Thanks. I have pretty much decided to skip the unibutt. I'm getting a lot of rec's for the Calstar. I just wish there was a place near CT where I could get my hands on them and compare side by side. Does Mudhole have a brick and mortar presence?

I keep my boat in the Watch Hill area on the Pawcatuck, but its a small boat not suited to the offshore scene. The Batson RCKJB blanks are very intriguing; the specs look great. I would suggest contacting Batson directly to inquire about the blanks. I have had good results building on MHX blanks, though no tuna sticks. My tuna builds were on Seeker blanks and fished/held up extremely well. Email me directly and we can have a conversation about rod builds and fishing out of Westerly.