I am looking for a blank for Carolina rig type of fishing in saltwater with live bait as well as plastics. Looking for a long 2 piece blank which can throw around an oz. Any idea as to what characteristics are best ? Should it be fast or mod fast, and what type of tip would you recommend ? Any blank recommendations ?

Because the Carolina rig has the characteristic to take you out of direct contact with the lure, I like a very fast action in order to get that contact back fast and positively when I do my hook set. Base the power on the one ounce weight you want to cast. "long" and "2 piece" stumps me for a blank recommendation.

Maybe one of these might work for you. [www.jannsnetcraft.com]

I built on a Pac Bay blank that's pretty much the same thing I believe just more pricey in most cases. I built mine for Great Lakes Trout, Salmon and Carp so I don't see why it wouldn't work for you if your after redfish, snook and fish like that, you didn't say so I'm just guessing. I could be wrong though I'm certainly no expert. It definitely has a fast tip, gets right on it in a hurry. Seem to have a really good backbone. I made a lot of casts in a big trucking lot next door and I was casting 1oz 50-60 yards into a pretty stiff wind with relative ease. Could have went further but only had so much room. Most all of the lakes around me are frozen right now. It'll be a little bit before I can get at them to really give it a good test. And really the price isn't all that bad either.

Hopefully someone with more experience with different blanks will chime in with a suggestion.

Good Luck.

Rainshadow SW 967F 3/4 to 4 oz. I got one ordered for much the same purpose, among other things. This is not as fast as Michael recommends but I think it will work well with flouro - braid. Lynn

Thanks guys. I need it long and 2 pieces because I will be using it from the beach / shore with sandy areas ... as in light surfcasting / beach legering in calm waters. We use this technique for various types of breams, seabass, bottom feeding fish. Was not sure about the fast action because I might be using it with live bait (worms and the like) ...I read somewhere that with live bait you don't want it too fast as it might drop the bait during the cast.

I do a lot of Carolina rigging, and even though I do mine in freshwater, the process will be the same. Your wanting a longer rod is the right choice. but not because you can make longer casts, but because a longer rod will move more line on a hook set. And that IMO is the number one key of Carolina rig fishing.

Also, as Michael pointed out. Base the power you choose on the size weight you'll be casting, and then add at least half that weight to determine your upper weight rating. If you'll be throwing up to 1 oz. weights, I'd suggest going with a blank rated up to at least 1 1/2 oz. You'll be moving the weight on the hook set, and, depending on bottom composition, you'll be moving a weight that can seem like it's stuck to the bottom at times.

As for action, I've tried both fast and extra fast action rods. I prefer a fast action. I do quite a bit of shallower water Carolina rigging, for fish that jump. The fast action seems to keep hooked fish buttoned up a little more consistently.

Sorry I couldn't suggest a blank. I don't have a lot of experience with different blanks just yet. And, I don't fish that heavy of weights. I do my Carolina rig fishing with a 7' medium heavy power, fast action factory rod at the moment. If I ever build another one to replace it, I'll be looking for a blank with the same characteristics.

Thanks David, very helpful.

Got my blank today, seems to be fast for a moderate. Haven't bent the @#$%& out of it yet. Lynn

I use a 2 piece MHX 844-2 for my Carolina rig fishing. It's rated for up to 1 oz but I find when I use a 1 oz sinker that it's a bit much for the rod. The blank handles a 3/4 oz sinker much better

lol Lynn. With that power rating I'm not surprised it seems fast. Bet it's gonna sling some lead. Let us know how it turns out!