Hi all,
I'm about to embark on my first ever rod build, and was hoping for some advice on suitable blanks (on a budget).

I'm looking to build a light surf rod 10-11ft to throw small plugs and plastics of the stones and beach.

Casting weight will typically be between 1-3oz.
Reel matched will be a daiwa bg 4000, 20lb braid.
It's gotta travel so 2 peice is a must.


I live in Australia so my closest comparable target species to you lot in the US would be bluefish, however ours only get typically around the 4-6 pound mark on average.

I've done quite a lot of research and have narrowed the search to a few options. Any advice to help me decide would be greatly appreciated.
Mhx SU1207F-2 10ft 12-25lb
Rodgeeks 106MM2 10.5ft 10-20lb
Am Tack ASXU 100M-2 10ft 15-30lb
Pac bay pxb X2GSU100M-2 10ft 15-30

I would really value any advice to help me choose.
This site is an amazing resource!

Many thanks in advance
Aussie Ben



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2017 07:01AM by Ben Pitt.

I like the RodGeeks myself, it throws the light stuff really well and the 1- 3 oz range is in it's wheelhouse . Not familiar with the others.

Schneider's Rod Shop has a Rainshadow SUR 1204 surf rods for a great price you might look at. It's a discountinued model so you not find one where you are. I've made some nice rods out of them over the years.

As much as I like the St Croix designed blanks especially Avids and the Rod Geeks the only issue you may have is that it is a 70/30 split while the others you have listed are 50/50.

The Am Taks are very nice blanks too.

Don’t know if you can get them in Australia but Talon USA makes a very nice light surf blank ,Anglers Workshop also has their private label made by them 10’6” 1-3

Hey Ben,

I'm from Australia too. I've built quite a few surf rods and one of my latest that I'm only halfway through is what would be considered light-medium that I plan to use for fishing off the rocks/surf for bream, whiting, flathead, dart etc.

The blank I'm using is a CTS from NZ. It's stats are:
CTS - SD901-4 - P2000 Finish - Elite SD - 4 piece - 9'0" - 6-10lb - 0.5-1oz
They also make one's out to 10-11ft no worries. Or you could extend the 9' at the butt end too.

Another brand to consider is the blanks for DBlue fishing (sponsor on the left). The model I have is:
DB12TCBLK1102M - Titantium Graphite Blank - 11'0" - 12-25 lbs - 4 Piece - 1-3oz
However I would class that as Medium-heavy, but its a nice blank too.

Sorry to throw out even more options for you, but both of those blanks were easy to get and ship to Australia. CTS had a recent promotion for free shipping (not sure if that's still running)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/13/2017 10:05PM by Michael Shea.

Hi all,
Firstly thanks very kindly for your replies, and apologies for the lax response on my part, work and family duties...

Some really good advice there. Much of it re-enforces what I already researched which is very comforting when buying sight unseen!

Thanks for the additional suggestions too. Looks like I've got some homework on the Rainshadow and DBlue blanks to get stuck into.

Michael - I have seen the CTS blanks in action and they are really, really nice. As this is my first build, I decided to walk before I run so will limit the damage to my back pocket this time round, but will more than likely have a long hard look at the CTS blanks for a heavier setup in the future. The 10-15kg Vapour Trail I've seen was pretty amazing.

Cheers
Ben

I build alot of RodGeeks 100mmf2 and fish with them alot in the surf throwing hopkins or cut bait. These blanks were supposedly built on old St Croix mandrals from the days of the Ben Doerr series. I really like this series blanks.