Hey guys, thanks for all your recomendations on blanks. Maybe i should have been more specific. Looking for a good bank rod in the 7 to 8' range. Basically, i would be targeting all three species (blues,flats,and channels. Just a good all around rod that i could do just about anything with. From bottom fishing to maybe fishing at night with a lighted bobber just to name a few. Maybe a mod-fast action for casting long distances with a med-hvy power. I would also like to put a set of fugi guides on them and would prefer a grip material other than cork. Any comments here would be of help. As far as reels go, i like the 6500 black edition reels. I pretty much know how I"d like these rods set up Thanks, Roger

Billy Vivona helped design these for black fishing, but the cat fishing guys have found them to be exceptional for Catfishing. Depending on the weight of the sinker and weather you are fishing snags or not would help you decide which one would fit the bill [rodgeeks.com] . As for grip material, I prefer a nice figured walnut burl, you can purchase it for less than good cork and if finished correctly will last for years.

Whats a good source to find this type of wood or really any wood for making trim? I would like to experiment with custom wood trim on some of my bass rod as well

[www.bellforestproducts.com]

The best day to be alive is always tomorrow !!
Think out side the box when all else fails !!!
Wi.

I find a lot of my wood at the local Woodcraft, but there is quite a few online suppliers as well. One advantage to Woodcraft, if I have a question about how dry the wood is they will check it for me before I purchase the piece.