Hi all,

I'm looking for a blank which could be used for a Great Lakes spiral wrap float rod. So far this blank seems to be a good candidate:

ST1262, 10'6", 4-8lb, 1/8-1/2oz., mod-fast action, medium light power.

At the moment I am experimenting with spiral wrap rod built from a 11' 8 weight switch rod blank. It is okay, a bit more flexible than I expected and casting a float is more of a lob.

I was hoping a mod-fast action rod would still allow me to cast relatively light weights (1/8 to 1/4 floats) but with a quicker tip recovery as the switch rod has some wiggle at the end of the cast.

Anyone with any experience with this blank? Or any other suggestions?

thanks
Camilo

For west coast Steelhead I use the Batson XST1263 6-12lb, 3/8-3/4oz and it is an awesome as a spiral wrapped float rod. Fast action, fast recovery. ERN: 12.55, AA: 77
It may be too powerful for Great Lakes steelhead.
I don't see a 1262 in their product listing, so you'd have to go down to 9'6" XST1142F to get to 2 power.

I'm surprised the MHX doesn't have faster recovery, though I've never used that blank.

Thanks for the feedback Rick. I'll check out the XST 1263 - I like blanks with some power compared to the usual steelhead rods most use in this area.

Just for the clarification, the switch rod blank I am currently using is a Pac Bay Quickline, not an MHX. I've used several of these blanks for steelhead rods and the eight weight seems to have the most tip wiggle at the end of the cast.

The Batson XST 1263 is a great blank. I've build spiral baitcasters, center pin and spinning rods on it and they have worked great for great lakes steelhead.

Matt