Looking to build a “ bonefish spinning rod for a good friend
Not sure what to choose
Fish range from 3-10 lbs mostly in the 5 lbs range very fast
Probably be casting very small shrimp or crabs ?
On 10-15 lb braid
Appreciate any and all suggestions

Thanks
J Duncan

With no information about the size of weight being cast I would look for any recommended spinning rod casting 10# - 15# braid. I am currently unaware of any fish species which need species specific rod blanks except possibly those fish with very soft mouths.

Of course you want a travel rod, right? Below are two 3 piece 7 foot models.

I built one for almost that same purpose off the Rainshadow 841-3 RX6 and I'm very pleased with it. My purpose was to cast 1/8 oz glider jigs tied as flies to bones, and it works fine. It has a very fast action, lots of power in the butt, so I think it can go a little heavier on lures without being overloaded. It is not what I would call a ML power, but with its combination of a light tip and long heavy butt, maybe Rainshadow didn't know what to call it. There is also the 843-3 which is called a MH power.

I doubt if sensitivity is a high priority, but the blank is very sensitive, giving the impression of a much more expensive blank.

I tried a 8 1/2 foot 6 weight fly blank built a spin, but I couldn't get accurate on short casts with it. The 841 doesn't have that problem, and is a much "tighter" less "sloppy" action than the fly blank.

I used the Fuji KR guides, the CC slim SIC set, KLH 20-KLH10, KL5.5M, then size 4.5 runners (KB's and KT's). I use it with 21 # Hitena Pureline, Hitena Paranix 14# fly tippet, and a Shimano Stradic 4000 reel, and it casts a mile.

Now tell me where I can find bones that are mostly 5 pounds with some up to 10!

Back in the mid 80's I got stationed in Miami and I brought my full array of salmon/steelhead rods, the one I loved for bonefish and sea trout was the G Loomis HSR 9000 2S two piece, Later I built one on the 3 piece travel blank in GLX. Decades later the Green Water series still has hot shot rods in the mix with only changes to the grips to meet saltwater needs.
NFC makes a HS 7600 2 piece blank that looks like the real deal all over again.

We’d recommend a popping blank and maybe a crankbait. So from our RainShadow lineup the Revelation REVIP blanks would be great, L to ML power – just depending on length that you’d want. You can check the specs here: [www.rainshadowrodblanks.com]

James Taylor
Batson Enterprises
BatsonEnterprises.com | RainShadowRodBlanks.com | ALPSForeCast.com | Build2Fish.com

Thanks to everyone
Client has his own jet, hince. 1 piece should work

I will look at all of these suggestions and try to select the best one
A lot of good information and questions I didn’t think of

Thanks again
John d



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/17/2020 08:35AM by John Duncan.

The hot shot rods 8 ft. 3 in. and under are historically all 1 piece, they just make some 2 piece to expand the versatility even further, you can get 1 piece if you choose, though I have both and see no real advantage.
Blank material the rod is made of, yes, can be important, lower modulus blanks have worked better for the rods original purpose, number of pieces, not so much.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/17/2020 02:09AM by Spencer Phipps.

I really like my Rainshadow Immortal blank. They have a few inshore popping rods that should be great.