Hello, I’m looking for a 9’6” rod blank with an extra fast action. It will be used as a steelhead chuck and duck rod with a fly reel with 8lb test mono as the leader line. This is for a customer who has been using a 25-30 year old 9’6” custom saltwater sage fly rod. He has been using with about 3-4” of the tip broken off and is looking for something new and what I described. I seem to be having trouble finding a 9’6” rod blank that has/or “labeled” xtra fast action.
Thank you in advance for your recommendations.

Here is a 9 foot option. ST1083F-MHX from mudhole. Would extending the blank for the rear grip an option? Six inches ain't much to add. Option from NFC, St 964-2 (HM), gives you the length but is listed as fast action.

I currently have the nfc st 964-2 (IM) blank but it’s not fast enough for his preference. I also see that sage has the 9’0 xf action Igniter blank. I personally haven’t ever extended the rear grip before but that could be an option.

how much weight will he be using?

Herb, he will be using minimal weight. Of course it changes with the water conditions. Usually about 1/8-1/4 oz of weight plus the weight of hook and spawn sack. The rivers are normally pretty small. 2-7’ deep and 20-40ft wide.

Joseph,.
I just took a #10, 9'0" CTS Affinity-X (Extra Fast) fly blank - attached a 1/4 oz of pennies and extended the butt 6" - held the blank where the grip would be - feels perfect to flip that weight. just on the tip.
I Also tried it on a #9. The #9 would be good if he wants to make it a little more of a "lob".

An out-and-out lob would be the #7

Herb

Thank you Herb, I sent you an email.

Rainshadow eternity II are nice blanks in XF action. My 8 wt cc around a 10wt so keep that in mind

How about Arctos 9 foot 3 inch or 10ft. 3 inch? Termed fast but not extra fast, tho.

This site indicates they have TFO TiCrx blanks still available. 9 foot. I have a TiCrX 9 foot 5 weight. These rods are quite stiff and are cannons. So for Steelies or salmon I could see one working quite well. Nice blue asthetics , too. Reviews for trout fishing were very mixed, but lots of positive reviews for salt or for large fish. Old blanks but might work for you. [www.burfish.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/06/2021 03:16PM by david taylor.

It's going to be hard comparing a broken tip rod to one that isn't, his rod is no longer x fast after losing that much tip. It was probably a Sage RPLXI in that time period, not what I would call X fast in their lineup, the 9 footers were faster and fit the description better. There is a considerable difference between what people feel and what is when it comes to action.

I've built a Lamiglas SI 9'6" steelhead/large river trout rod and it handles 1/2 oz very easily. Super light with a KR build and cast 6 or 8 lb mono very long distances.

Thanks guys, your inputs are much appreciated as always.
Spencer, he wants a faster rod than what his sage is.
Ron, I don’t really think the lamiglas is quite fast enough for what he’s looking for.

Joseph,
Are we sure he knows what an X fast blank really is? My X fast Sage TCR 8 wt. is a marginal chuck and duck rod, my G Loomis GL3 8 wt. I use for throwing sink tips is far better.

I have found an 8 weight "Brand X Whiplash Fly Rod Blank" to be a mediocre performer at best, while a 9 weight "Brand X Whiplash Fly Rod Blank" is a truly superior performer. Am I imagining things?

A rod with 4" off the top is going to feel a bit boardy. I would have hit cast a very fast rod before he determnes that is what he wants.

It sure would be nice to have one of each of these blanks on hand and be able to let clients handle each one so they can choose what blank they prefer. That is actually my goal.

Spencer, I’m sure he knows what xf action is, and I know why you ask, I work in the fish department at Jays sporting goods as well as build rods and most of the people I talk to in there doesn’t know what the “action” of a rod is. They think that the power of a rod is called action.

David, I agree

Joseph,

My response may be late but I thought I would reply nonetheless. This is primarily because I am finding the 9' 6" blank length more than challenging to identify. The 10' 8 wt seems more readily available but I am uncomfortable with the additional 6" for swing weight/fatigue reasons. You may want to look at Bloke Fly Rod blanks. I just purchased Mick Bell's XGnP 9' 6" 9 wt blank but have yet to receive them. I would describe these as on the fast end of the fast range - according to Mick's description. Mick has several blanks available so you will find them easy to locate with a Internet search. They are not listed on the Bloke Rods website. The XGnP is supposed to feature a lot of feedback and bend in all the right places.

I noticed Burkheimer has some 9' 5" blanks but these are out of my price range for the time being. The only other potential option I have identified is the Pacific Bay Arctos IM7 9' 3" 9 wt blank you commented about earlier in this discussion. I wish CTS made blanks in this length. CTS is known quality and blanks are far less costly than those from the OEMs.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/06/2021 07:33AM by Rick Van Camp.