First post...and thank you to those who put this site together and to all of those who have contributed to it. It has helped me get into rod building and I know it would have happened without the information I found here.

I'm planning my 4th rod build and I'm afraid I may be coloring too far outside the lines. My plan was to build a 7 to 8 foot boat rod for trolling, live bait and pitching large plugs near shore. I plan to target cobia, small tuna, dolphin, etc. So far I have a Pac Bay AB-1 aluminum fighting butt, and I picked up a clearance St Croix 2SWC66HF conv/spinning blank. I have a set of nice fuji corrosion control double foot spinning guides with 8mm running guides all sized for 7 to 8'. The rod will be paired with my IRT400.
1. Firstly am I trying to build too group too many purposes into one rod? Maybe I should just plan for trolling and cut bait? I'm thinking the blank is way to heavy even for big plugs but maybe not? Advice here.
2. I'm having a hard time with the idea of cutting down the butt. I'm stuck between the idea of just mounting the blank in the unibutt and having an 8' rod or cutting off 12" and going with the 7'. I'd like to hear pros or cons of each.
3. What happens if I spool it up with 40#...assuming I have the guides placed correctly for that line weight. I feel like I am under utilizing the blank and setting myself up for disappointment. I could use #50 braid but I'd only get 200 yds. The 1st three rods I build turned out great and I love them, I just don't want to go backward here.
4. Lastly I'm thinking I should get another blank and just use this one for another setup if I am not using it for plugs? Or maybe a different reel? If you have advice or experience I'd like to hear it. I don't have a lot of offshore or near shore experience. Mostly inshore is my thing.

Blank specs:
6'6" Heavy Fast 50-80 mono 65-100 braid

Thanks in advance.
Chris

Way more rod than you need. Why the aluminum butt? You will get more enjoyment from fishing a lighter rod built with a 7 foot, 30 pound class blank. Build the handle on the blank.

Hello Christoher.

Yes you are right, you can't use that blank for trolling, live bait and pitching large plugs near shore, all on the same blank.

The St Croix 2SWC66HF is a good blank for trolling but I would use a Tuff-Butt to keep the weight down a little compared to an aluminum butt.

I would also use a roller top or do a spiral wrap.


Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.