Hello,

Looking for a light power fast action blank in the 8-9' foot range. So far all the ones I've seen are light power with mod-fast action. The rod will be used as a bobber rod for panfish to steelhead.

I was also thinking of using a fly rod blank but in what weight would be equivalent to a light power fast action spinning rod?

Thanks!

Maybe get an 8' mod-fast blank and extend it 9'

MHX makes a 8' 6" ML fast action steelhead blank ST1022, and St Croix has a 9' ML fast steelhead blank 3SC90MLF2. I have built on both as bobber spin rods for crappie fishermen who fish from shore below a spillway. Some of the bobber fishermen down here tend to prefer 9'-10' fast action medium power steelhead blanks. I think a fast action fly rod blank lighter than an 8 or 9 wgt will feel sloppy when casting. No matter what you use build as light as you can using Fuji kr, or AT microwave, or PacBay minima guides. Depends on your preference all will give you a light and responsive rod.
Norm

Sid,
Since the bobber is doing the bite sensing - what is your reason to use a fast action blank for this type fishing.

I have used and built up such rods before, but I have gotten rid of all of the rods built on such blanks. I much prefer to use a mod-fast action for this type fishing. I lose many fewer fishing using the mod-fast blanks, rather than the fast action blanks.

Having said that, the Batson Rainshadow RX7 blank - HS930 is a 7'9" blank that has a light power in an extra fast action - that would meet your requirements, if you extended the butt a bit.

RX7-HS930

Hey Roger,
I think part of it is the feel of a fast action rod versus a mod-fast. I'd like a rod that is light enough to absorb the fish yet has a fast recovery or crisp feeling. From my experience, mod to mod-fast rod feels a little heavier throughout and sluggish. Not sure if I'm explaining it right though! I guess fast because it's crisper and doesn't require as much lift to set the hook.

Sid,
I have built using 9 and 12 foot MHX crappie blanks and I know what you are saying about "feeling heavy".

I would be looking at a light or medium light steelhead blank. I would be looking at St Croix 5SC90MLF2-G or 3SC90MLF2.

I would also look at carbon fiber for the handle. I no longer use anything but Carbon Fiber.

Also, I would be using single foot fly guides for runners and Pacbay minamas.

Good building, Doug

See you on the water, Doug
Captain Paddlefoot

You're really going to have to decide which is more important, crappie or steelhead? Different sizes, mouth structures, and techniques. I'd use the characteristic of a Rainshadow IST 1141 as a start. Short rods make lousy steelhead float rods, to long and getting fish in the boat or on the bank can be a problem.

How about using a 9 foot 5 wt flyrod blank. I am sure that you are not throwing a huge bobber, one of the IM6 two piece blanks would probably work just fine,.

I built a 9' bobber rod for crappie using a 2pc 4 wt fly blank. I absolutely love it! I used the microwave spinning guide set and this rod casts great with them. Perfect rig for bobber fishing. Definitely take a look at fly blanks.

Not very many fly rods have a an action that is called fast.

This particular person making the post wanted a blank with a fast tip.

Be safe

Schneider's has a few 7 and 8 wt. RX8 fly blanks left it appears, there's the Pac Bay Quicklines in reasonably priced blanks. A fast fly rod blank is nowhere near a fast bass blank in feel or action though. I've CC'd a few steelhead medium powered ( 8 to 12 lb. line ) gear blanks, they seem to come in between a 12 to 14 wt. fly rod blank equivalent for the most part. This surprised me, thought they would be lower powered in fly blank comparisons. I have a few of the old 2 piece, 12 wt. RX8 blanks, I may try to make into gear rods, their blank weights are right in there with the lightest weight gears blanks I've seen.
He didn't say how much he was willing to spend, how many pieces, and his description of the feel and casting reaction he expected from the blank didn't really jive with what I felt when I built a few travel gear rods on these blanks. He attributes the action of the rod it appears to reaction of the rod and I've found that not always to be the case especially in lighter powered blanks, and what it's made of can make a difference.
Throwing bobber/bait, bobber/jig setup, or weight and soft bait setup like steelhead drift gear is a bit different, you don't want the end result to end up in a piled up mess, or for it to throw off your bait, no more than you wouldn't want a setup on your fly rod that won't turn over your leader and fly. I wouldn't want to take on steelhead on a 4 or 5 wt. rod on a regular basis let alone try to throw a steelhead float setup on one.

There are several 9000 style Hot Shot blanks that have a mag light tip with good backbone.

I commonly use these 9000 blanks for bobber rods with great feel and success.

Different manufacturers - make the 9000 blanks.

Be safe

Thanks for all the input guys. I think I found my blank..