I have only ever made light inshore rods and but have been wanting to make some larger offshore rods just needed an excuse, I finally have one. I am getting some Avet HXW raptor reels that will be spooled with 80' bread and 60-80 pound mono top shots depending on application. I will be primarily trolling bead bait with these 6-8 knts with occasional live bait/chunking. I plan on using all ring guides and want to keep the overall weight down as I am went with the hxw's to try and get a lighter outfit. I don't want to spend a fortune as I will be building 6 rods and it starts to add up.

What do you usually look for in a trolling blank?

I am open minded to all brands so recommend me what ever you would use.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/17/2019 10:57PM by Brennan Mahoney.

Keep the rods short - six feet or under - to provide the leverage needed when fighting heavy fish with heavy tackle. Fiber glass is more durable than graphite, and a solid glass rod even better survives the inevitable banging around such rods get on a boat. Casting performance is not an issue since you will probably just lower or pay-out live bait and "lasso-throw" rather than cast chunk bait. The physical weight of the rod is not much concern since it will sit in a rod holder while fishing and the weight of the rod and reel will be supported by a gimbal when a fish is being fought.

Phil Ewanicki Wrote:
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> Keep the rods short - six feet or under - to
> provide the leverage needed when fighting heavy
> fish with heavy tackle. Fiber glass is more
> durable than graphite, and a solid glass rod even
> better survives the inevitable banging around such
> rods get on a boat. Casting performance is not an
> issue since you will probably just lower or
> pay-out live bait and "lasso-throw" rather than
> cast chunk bait. The physical weight of the rod is
> not much concern since it will sit in a rod holder
> while fishing and the weight of the rod and reel
> will be supported by a gimbal when a fish is being
> fought.

Agree with Phil.
A good match for the HXW Raptor reel would be the Rainshadow FSU56XH fiberglass blank.
It's 5 1/2 feet, rated for 50-80 lb test, but would easily fish 100 lb.
I used an Aftco ARS 4 aluminum seat, and Aftco Bigfoot roller guides.
It subdued a 750 lb. Black Marlin (released) last year in Costa Rica.
The blank is moderately priced through Utmost.
Good luck!