I've read the past posts in the archive on this topic and got some great advice. I have a couple questions I'd like to throw out to this group if any of you have experience with tuna rods.
I'm working with a guy in Maine who does sportfishing charters and I've built a few other rods for him before. He's looking for a tuna rod with a "soft tip" that tapers. He gave me some retail sites to look at for examples and I have agood idea of what he needs. What I'm hoping this group can tell me is if I'm making the right choice on the roller guides.

Will the AFTCO Heavy Duty Roller Guides (set on Mudhole for $69 for 5) that " are ideal for big game trolling and deep water rods rated for 20 to 80 lb. lines, and for stand-up style tuna rods up to a 130 lb. test rating" (from website) be appropriate for this set up:
Rainshadow RCTB70XXXH-CG 7'0" | 80 - 130lb | F | 1 piece | 15 tip | 0.96 butt
Stuart Premium Saltwater Butt (bent)
Stuart Roller Top.

I'm trying to control costs, but don't want to make the mistake of going too light on a project like this.

Thanks in advance all! I love this forum, and usually find all my answers somewhere here before I can even ask the question, which has been incredibly helpful.

Drew

when going Tuna fishing if you want it to last you will need some good equipment, not cheep equipment , it will last a lot longer, that is what I think

William Sidney
AK

Might be easier if you checked the Batson site to see if they have a blurprint for that blank. Or just call them.....good people....good products......good pricing.

Batson makes some nice roller guides Have used quite a few of theme with no issues

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

Drew,
Another approach, and the best approach in my opinion, is to employ the outrageous benefits of a spiral-wrapped roller guide train. The heavier the load = the more beneficial a spiral becomes; I cannot imagine fishing an 80lb tuna rod without a spiral wrap ever again. The difference is unbelievable! All American Roller Guides are the only rollers developed for spiral wraps, are very well-built, and are manufactured by the owner, Steve and his wife in Tustin, CA. If you care to do so, see “Mark’s Tuna Spiral” in the photo section under “Guide Wraps” of my recently built 80lb Calstar with a 120lb + tuna on. Not having to waste energy death-gripping the rod to keep it from twisting was a huge benefit!!!

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Drew,
Are you still with us? Which route did you take?

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Hmmm. If its for true stand up fishing for the big tuna (yellowfin-bluefin) the rod will be less than 6' overall length. My preferred range is 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 feet. Perfect do it all blank is a 6455XXH. For a "soft tip" id definitely go with an all glass blank. Nothing carbon or "composite".

If it is sit down (or more appropriately) "rod holder" fishing where you don't have to lift and hold the rod, something with an OAL around 7' is OK. But that includes the detachable butt. That length is brutal if you have to hold the rod.

Your guide choice is fine: its what I use for the most part. I do like the "Big Foots" on the super short rods though, especially with an 80 or 80W. And I triple wrap mine: there are some incredible forces placed

Good luck in your project!

I am still with, and trying to sort all this out and coordinate it with my friend/customer's request. He wants a "longer rod" for leverage with the tapered blank, the thought being that will lend to fewer bent hooks. He's been talking to other tuna fishers and getting that advice. Mudhole has some 6'3" Seeker rods, I may reach out to him and see if that would suffice.
Thank you so much everyone. Thanks grant for the reminder about the blueprints on Batson's site, I had used them on another build and totally forgot about them.