Hello everyone, i am new to the site and rod building. I am looking to build a smaller float rod for some smaller PA trout streams. Currently i have been using a 8 foot crappie rod with my pin. I love the length, but the rod just dont have enough power for bigger trout. I was thinking about using an 8 foot 4 wt rod blank and putting spinning guides on it. Could anyone suggest any blanks and guides that might be best for my application? Thanks in advance!

Justin



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/24/2020 12:43PM by Justin Ile.

Maybe a Medium or Medium-Light power salmon/steelhead blank? That would give you a little more backbone.

-Chase

I agree with Chase, go with a salmon/steelhead blank rather than a fly rod blank.
Norm

Here’s a couple Rainshadow blanks that we recommend for inland trout rods, they’re a bit long than an 8-foot.

REV904-4 - [www.rainshadowrodblanks.com]
ETEF1064-4 - [www.rainshadowrodblanks.com]

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

I just got back from fishing a spring pond this afternoon. Slammed the brookies and a couple rainbows. Brookies were solid pound and a half to two pounds. Biggest bow was nearly five pounds. I built a rod specific for this pond. I needed a good backbone to control the fish but not a real powerful rod as I am not casting real heavy lures. Normally a small float a split shot and size ten hook or smaller. Sounds like your in a similar situation. I built on a now discontinued rainshadow light 9'6" model XST1141F. It was rated 4-8 pound mod fast. I ended up cutting it back to about 9' even. I did a split grip and at the end of the build I thought I had just a bit too much grip behind the reel. I used Pac bay minima match for my reduction guides 20 10 5 and the minima size 5s for runners. Similar setup should work with a 8 foot blank just less runners. 5s are probable bigger than needed but I use it in winter and wanted to lessen ice build up.

You should look for a similar blank in the 8 foot range. A fly rod is not going to give the backbone a steelhead blank will. I would look for at least a Mod-fast blank, or a fast if you can find one. Which is a tough thing to find. Most that give the action you want are over powered.A Pac Bay T2SH993-2 is close to what you want but might be a little more power than you need.

If you build on a fly blank I would look for a fast action and test the action prior to building. A fast action fly blank will be on the bottom end of a mod fast spin blank typically. So not ideal but probable a bit better than a crappie blank which typically are a slow action to barely moderate.

Like the Pac Bay mentioned Rainshadow has the IST993F-M, 6-10 lb. line, 1/4 to 1/2 oz. lure weights, works good in Alaska for your size trout. Have a gentleman retired in Mexico who drives his ATV up and down the beaches looking for fish in the surf, his ultralight surf rod is built on this blank, he loves the thing. Fast action blank, I use it to fish small coastal streams for steelhead, much easier to go through the brush with, and works better in tight quarters than my 9 1/2 footers.

Thanks everyone for the replies! A lot of great information!!

Forgot all about the 8 ft. float and fly smallmouth blanks, never used one, but it could be a good option.