I'm looking for a spybait rod for the upcoming season and was thinking about a few off the shelf options. It seems like the consensus is a 7'ish ML fast rod is a pretty good place to start. Now, there are a couple of options mostly within my intended budget range *but*... What about a custom rod...? 7' - 7' 3", 1/8-1/2 oz, light weight guide train (simple spiral wrapped for fun). Which blanks should I look at? Taper, length, weight would be my top 3 priorities. I'd like to keep the cost of the black in the $50 range. Thanks in advance! And go!

all my spybaits are too light to comfortably use with BC gear, so I think spin. I think the ideal spybait rod is about the same as a ML power XF action drop shot spin rod, 7-7' 3". Some techniques are best served by BC, some by spin. I think spybait makes more sense with spin. You want light line, distance, and that seems like spin.

Rainshadow Revelation: REVS72L-SB
L Trout & Panfish
7'2" 4-10 1/16-1/4 0.405 5 Fast 1.7 L $58.08 Getbitoutdoors.com

Would be better with XF action, but the $50 limit is daunting.

MXS72M-B - spinning
7'2" 6-12 1/8-3/4 0.46 4.5 Extra Fast 1.7 $94.00

Phenix, Getbitoutdoors

MXS72M-B - spinning
7'2" 6-12 1/8-3/4 0.46 4.5 Extra Fast 1.7 $94.00

Phenix, Getbitoutdoors

Showing my age here, but what is a spybait?

Spybait is basically a jerkbait weighted to allow it sink, with props on both the front and back. Guys use them for suspended bass, on light line. Spybait in my opinion is more of a finesse tactic to get what you need the bait to do. On clear northern waters I fish, I use 5# and 6# flouro on a 7 foot medium or medium light blank. I actually built my a few years back on a Batson RDR 70M, it's a Glass/Graphite blank designed for trolling etc... It has a moderate action which I like with moving baits that I am really not imparting any action into. Plus the light line and trebles I actually like the more parabolic action. Just my two cents but I would probably stick with spinning, casting might be a bit overkill for that technique. Fishing that bait on heavier line really takes away the action of the bait.

Bushido SJ72/4-8 is perfect for this kind of fishing. Throwing small flukes, jigs, small Pop-R and Raps and small slash baits is where it really shines.

Kind of sounds like a neutral buoyancy, Smithwick Devil Horse or Heddon Torpedo in a smaller size. Us old guys remember those, way to much new names and companies to keep up with these days. But you don't have to use golf club lead sticky back tape anymore or wrap the hooks to get a suspending bait.

Thanks for all of the input guys, I really appreciate it! About the spinning vs casting decision: I have a number of baitcasters that, with the right spool (which I have) will comfortably throw lighter lures. The Duo Realis Spinbait 80 (9.5g) and 90 (14g) are what I will primarily be throwing. Plus, if I'm throwing them for a fair portion of the day, the lighter the setup is, the better.

@Michael: do you think the XF action might be a but much with the light wire trebles? Or would I be able to counter the action with a slightly stretcher fluoro? I like the looks of that Phenix blank, my only concern would be the XF action with the light wire trebles.

@Jay: agreed, and I'll be loading up a couple of spools with 6# fluoro to see which I like best for them. I'm not going to be spooling up 40# braid or anything like that.

The $50 price range was just a number I pulled out of nowhere, if there are other options, throw them out to me. Worst case it means I'll have to wait a little longer until I can get it built. Thanks!

Keep me posted which direction you take. Action of the rod needs to be tied into the power. I personally wouldn't have an issue with an XF action blank as long as the power was dialed down to a ML. Flouro has "some" stretch but really wont be enough for a buffer. Remember the hook set with a spybait is more sweeping or reeling into the fish, so for me personally I like a lighter powered rod or a medium with a moderate action. Thats just me, spybaiting is a lot like crankbait fishing, only its designed for open water and the weight transfer system will countdown the bait internally. Soft tip and light line will get the most action you can get for this bait, I throw a lot of the Duo Realis myself.

That Bushido is a goo combination of power and action and length you will need. Good suggestion.

I think I may have found a nice MHX blank, but there's also a St. Croix and 2 Phenix blanks too... Quickly seeing that my $50 budget is probably going to be eclipsed if I want something that I won't end up selling or keeping and being disappointed in...

MHX SJ842
PHX-S723M-B
PHX-C713ML-B
2C70MLF

Has anyone built on one of these?

The SJ842-mhx is one of the most versatile blanks in the lineup.

Todd

Regards,
Todd Vivian
Mud Hole Custom Tackle

todd@mudhole.com

The XF action should pose no problems if you keep the power down. A blank with light line rating and light lure rating will lead in the right direction. I like the XF for more feel with the light mono I use for this technique. Randy, how about that Revelation panfish blank you are so fond of? Wouldn't that work well?

Sure do like the Revelation Blanks, for the price they are lights out.

I think that the best blank by far for this technique, built casting or spinning, would be the Rodgeeks C473MHXS.

It's got enough power in the butt end to handle whatever you need but the bend is definitely more parabolic. I use mine for 1/4 oz jigs and splitshotting. It has handled light line like a champ.

Joe

First off, thanks for all of the input guys! I actually really appreciate that many of you have differing opinions on the blank because it gave me lots of things to look at. One thing I noticed was that I shouldn't pigeon hole myself into a ML blank. There were a few suggestions that I would have dismissed out of hand simply because of the higher end weight range listed. After looking into it more, I came to realize that I could likely get a blank that would be more multipurpose (broader weight range). That being said, I think I'm going to go with Bushido SJ72/6-12 and trim 2 inches from the butt end. I will still be able to use the rod for something other than spybaits as well, probably shakey heads, light jigs and tubes.

Thanks again guys, I'll be sure to post pictures once it's built.