Hi everyone.

I'm about to venture into my first attempt at rod building and I have some questions and would appreciate your input.
Please feel free to poke holes in any of my ideas.

I'm based in Australia, so some of the terminology and fish species may be unfamiliar to people here (apologies).
I want to make a rod that will primarily be used to target sea bream and tailor (bluefish?) from high rock shelves where the fish will be lifted across rocks, sometimes vertically. These fish typically weight less than 1kg although you can get some heavy tailor over 2kg (but this is not the norm)
The rod will be paired with overhead AbuGarcia's that range from 5000 to 6500
The rod will be casting baits (total weight of sinker + hooks + bait ranges between 15 - 100g).
The line used will range from 15 to 25lb mono. Yes this is heavy but we are constantly dragging the line across rocks.
The rod needs to be between 11 to 12 foot, this is required to give adequate reach over obstacles and maintain distance from cliff edges.
In the past this type of rod was very common in Australia, but they are now impossible to find as this style of fishing has gone out of fashion.

The rods we used were fibreglass and ranged from a 4 to 6 wrap, I'm not sure of the exact number of wraps, but it was towards the lower end for bream fishing.
Because they were fibreglass the action was typically not as fast as the modern day graphite rods.


So here's my plan with some questions.


Rod
====
I want the rod to flex somewhat when fighting the fish but not bend so much as to make the length useless for clearing obstacles and for directing the fish from up high.
I like the ruggedness and the bend of the old fibreglass rods but am willing to look at other technologies.

So far I'm looking at the following blanks. If you have other ideas let me know.

MT6144-2 from [www.therodworks.com.au]

ST1355-MHX from [www.therodworks.com.au]

TRW 4120G [www.therodworks.com.au]
This one can be extended but I was already advised against it as the extension stiffens it up considerably.

Grip
====
Standard EVA but I have some plans to shape it uniquely.
I was thinking of putting that heat shrink over the top of the EVA but I'm not sure if that's a good idea.


Guides
=======
I'm looking at double footed SSR guides (full stainless steel with no ring insert).
[www.mudhole.com]
Why?
Because if there's one thing I constantly do to guides with ring inserts is accidentally bang them on the rocks resulting in either the ring fracturing or coming out of its housing.
A solid piece of stainless shouldn't do that right?
The problem is they only make them for rods up to 9.5 foot so I'm not sure if I'll needs one larger than size 12.
ps. I'll be doing both and under and over wrap.


Seat
====
Fuji Deluxe with the padded metal hoods
Hopefully I can find one without a pistol grip.
Maybe I just use a spinning seat set upside down?

Keen to get input,
Thanks.
Adam

I can't comment on the blank, someone else can chime in.But with a blank as stout as you describe extending a blank should not cause issues.

For guides I would look at Mudhole CRB SSR Double Foot Spin Guide - Model DFXG, SKU DFXG or the Pac Bay Minina guides SKU TVM. Both have stainless steel swaged rings.and will take abuse.

Reel seat look at Fuji DPSD

I prefer a composite fore grip with a cork rear grip I also like a composite front and rear grip. Composite grips are almost indestructible..

Just some thoughts.

Good luck and Have Fun

John



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/25/2021 10:02AM by John DeMartini.

A hundred people will give you a hundred variations. For your rod blank, Check with CTS out of New Zealand. They make some of the best blanks in the business, both in carbon fiber, and fiberglass. You also have other options for guides as well. Recoil guides are nearly indestructible, made of titanium, and if you step on one, it's like a spring, and comes back to its original shape. As far as handles go, that's really a personal matter. Epic blanks are another great option, and have graphene added\ to the blank, which they say, makes their blanks stronger, lighter, and more sensitive.

Another top brand of very tough guides, without inserts, is the American Tackle, Microwave Air guides. There Are many who swear by them.

What I like about CTS, is that they make some blanks for everything from surf casting, to dry fly fishing, to deep water trolling, and everything in between. They can even tailor a special blank to your needs, and can advise you on what you need for the type of fishing you want to do. You can contact them by phone as well. I have, and I live in the U.S. I am very pleased with my purchase from them.

Mudhole has a great variety of handles, as does Anger's workshop, and other places. Just go on line and do a google-search for fishing rod seats, and handles. Yu will find all kinds of options.

Tight lines and frisky fish

RJF

Thanks John