I'm new to rod building, but want the right blank for the right reel/job. I'd like to be able to troll, chunk, and fish livies. I only do any of this with a max of two rods at a time so if I need to different blanks I'm fine with that. Also fuji guides and roller guides for both sets if you're willing to help with that too. I fish out of Venice, La and YF over 100#'s are common, and 200#ers aren't rare. Not a fan of rods over 6ft and I don't fish from the chair so I don't need anything longer. I like a short rod and a light rod doesn't hurt.

Thanks in advance

Gervais -

I get down there and get after the YFT out of Venice a few times a year. I have to confess a huge bias for catching them on either vertical/flat fall jigs or poppers, but as you know some days it's livies, some days you gotta chunk, if we're lucky we toss bycatch behind a shrimp boat - whatever it takes.

I realize this is not what most people would tell you, but a Black Hole Cape Code Special 350g or 450g jigging blank makes the finest light weight, doesn't hurt 6' or shorter chunking / live bait rod you have ever fished. I am building these out with split grips, rubber gimbals, Fuji palm support seats, and spiral wrapped KWSG / KWAG guides and tops. The finished rods are 7 or 8 oz and have easily boated fish up to 156#. This is with a PlayAction snap on belt - no harness, so staps, etc. It feels like fishing a musky rod but will absolutely whoop a tuna.

Now, the caveat is that you need a serious powerhouse reel to match these outfits - a 50W will overwhelm them. I prefer the Jigging Master Power Spell reels (PE7 or PE8 are plenty) or the Truth LG or LGN for single speeds. The Power Spell reels are the best reels you have never heard of...unbelievable. If you need a two-speed the Avet Raptors or Daiwa Saltigas work great (although the Daiwas are chunky). All of these reels will put 35#+ of drag on these fish SMOOTHLY and will not hiccup under much heavier drag than that. I am running 80# hollow core braid to 60# or #80 fluoro leader/topshot to a Mustad 4X 6/0 offset circle. This rig flat works. You do need to be careful / deliberate to use slim knots if you go down in guide size...I am using 8s and 10s but run either an in-line splice or an FG knot for my braid to mono connection. If you tie a big bulky knot you will need bigger guides.

The only problem I've had with these rods is that the first time you walk on the boat with these set ups your captain and mate are not happy - they look way too small and too puny. They realize very quickly they are not. This type of equipment is not your daddy's tuna rod - this is a whole new generation of equipment.

Make sure your first guide is high enough to keep your line off the front edge of your foregrip under TREMENDOUS load AND with the reel only half full. These are parabolic rods and they bend all the way to the butt under load, so make sure you test your guide positioning and you will be fine. It is worth the effort - these parabolic blanks are EASY on your back. Good luck!

Thanks for the info Bill. I have 4 Avet 30w's already and I like them. I too, splice my braid to mono, and though it may not be needed, I tend to fish a flouro wind on so my guides will have to handle a bimini.

Blackhole Cape Cod Special blanks in the 450 and 250G are my favorites. I fish these in Puerto Vallarta every December for 100-300 lb YFT

I decided to go with Calstar GF410XH graphiter 4'10". Thanks for the input!