Hi all. I'm about to build a rod for throwing jerkbaits and lightweight topwater lures ,preferably
in the 3/8-1 oz size. This will be used in freshwater in the delta,San Luis reservoir,and the Sacramento
River in CA. Preferably in the 7 and a half foot range would be ideal. I don't want the rod to be
too heavy,maybe a fast action with a bit of tip? Just seeing what the experts have to say.
Thanks I love this site you all have helped me with my rod building immensely. Most of the Stripers
I catch are under 10 pounds btw,but there are some monsters in San Luis.

Robert Ford

I should have specified this will be a spinning rod. I tend to use mono.

I would go with the blank from a well-known manufacturer with the best price and the best looks. I know I could not distinguish between spin rods blanks from reputable manufacturers in a double-blind casting test, although others may have no trouble doing so. I might be able to do better picking out fly rod blanks.

Since you'll get some cushion from the mono I'd look for a blank of the length you want with fast action and a lure rating that fits what you want to throw (in order for it to load properly). Am Tac Bushidos are excellent blanks at a good price, as are Rainshadow Revelations. I also just got a very good review of the Liberty blanks from GitBitOutdoors.com from a builder friend. They also have a reasonable price point, and made in USA.

You have to reconcile your desire for the rod to be "not too heavy," with the need for longest casts. Light would lead to a 7 footer, long cast to a 7-6. Take a look at the MagBass blanks from the brands I mentioned.

What I would do is change to braid, possibly go with a moderate-fast action .

This Revelation seems like a good fit: REVCB76MH-SB Large crankbaits & topwaters 7'6" 10-20 3/8-1 0.470 5.5 M-Fast MH 2.3oz $66.85 I would expect you could build this into a 4 - 5 oz rod. The lightest grips would probably be natural cork or Winn grips.

Maybe this Bushido
CB72/10-20 Bushido 7'2" Popping/Crankbait 10-20 lb.1 piece 7'2" 10-20 lb. 1/2 - 1 1/4 oz. .501" 5.5 1.98 oz. Mod-Fast Med-Heavy $76 at Mudhole

If you change to braid you will very easily add much distance, improved hook set, better feel on aggressive hits, and braid will allow a lighter guide train. You could easily use 20 pound braid. No way you will get good casting with 20 mono on a spin rod. 20 pound Hitena braid will cast like 4-6 pound mono. Don't worry about the cost-braid lasts for years.

Thank you I have been looking into the Revelation blanks. I am not opposed to braid and if there are
bigger fish around either and I really like Utmost Enterprises so I will have to holler at them and check it out.
Heard a lot of good things about Bushido. I have used and liked Batson though so I'll have to do some
research.

Utmost is extremely responsive and ship fast and only charge direct costs on the shipping. 'Could ask for better service!

Don Campbell
don@sensorfishingrods.com