As the title suggests, what is your favorite blank for a skagir rod"

Tight lines and frisky fish.
RJF

For the beginner like me, please explain what a skagir is, thank you

Robert,
CTS makes dedicated Skagit blanks from 12'6" to 15'0"
#5/6
#6/7
#7/8
#8/9
#10/11

Jeffrey,
A Skagit blank is built such that it starts to flex down-low sooner than a progressive blank. So, it has a regressive action vs a progressive action. It is designed to cast very heavy lines and large flys.
Both Skagit and Spey type casting use water born anchor-point loading. But Skagit water loading differs from Spey loading. Spey lines have finer tips for gentle landing casts for smaller flys. Skagit lines are more aggressive to deliver large flys.
Herb
CTS Rep



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/26/2021 09:59PM by Herb Ladenheim.

Youtube has videos on skagit and spey fishing.

[youtu.be]

[youtu.be]

Kent,
The first video is factual and accurate.
the second, however, is not. The "Spey" caster is not Spey casting. He is casting "Overhand". Or if you prefer: "Overhead". There is no water loading going on. As far as the rod being sensitive to detect a bite. That is nonsense.
There is a direct connection between a fish and the fisherman via the line. The rod is not even in the equation.
Herb

I'm not surprised to hear that about the second video.

That video was taken by the guy who built that rod seen in the video. He is a local custom rod builder here in central Florida and a very skilled builder no doubt.

But the star of the video is some guy from New York, and he moved down here and is having local custom rod builders make rods for him based on his requirements, and whatever it is he does for a fishing technique as seen in the video is purely his own! Could it be a modified spey technique? I have no idea really and no plans on ever fishing like that.

I told my buddy who made the rod don't expect this type of fishing to catch on and go viral around here! Not going to happen.

The star of the video said he does not even let passing cars stop him from casting. One day he just might hook up if not careful!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/26/2021 10:51PM by Kent Griffith.

Could it be a modified spey technique?

Kent.
Not even close. It is "Overhead" casting - plain and simple. In order for there to be Spey or Skagit casting - there has to be water loading per the first video. "Mr. Spey" is blowing smoke.
Herb



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/26/2021 10:53PM by Herb Ladenheim.

Robert,
I should add - that the latest "fad" is using typical fly rods of typical lengths to be used as "single-hand" Spey and Skagit.
Line companies like Sci Anglers, OPST and Wulff make lines specifically for this use.
So, I should have asked if your customer is interested in classic Skagit - or singlehanded Skagit.
Herb

Herb Ladenheim Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Robert,
> I should add - that the latest "fad" is using
> typical fly rods of typical lengths to be used as
> "single-hand" Spey and Skagit.
> Line companies like Sci Anglers, OPST and Wulff
> make lines specifically for this use.
> So, I should have asked if your customer is
> interested in classic Skagit - or singlehanded
> Skagit.
> Herb

Thanks Herb. I did some research before posting, and am aware of the CTS options, as well as icro skagit rods and ines. I just don't know who all is in the game besides CTS. I trust CTS, and when I
have a need, I will then research the proper hardware, and lines some more.

As my CTS 3 weight CrystalGlass bends well into the bottom third of the blank, I would think that it would perform well as a micro skagit rod, as should my Winston 7 weight BIIIX. I just should need to spool the reel properly.

Skagit casting looks a lot like roll costing, but using the drag of the water to load the blank so that the blank can then transfer its stored energy to the lin to produce longer casts. This looks like a great technique to use when brush gets tight s it eliminates the back cast portion of an overhead cast.

Tight lines and frisky fish
RJF

The best I've used is the Meiser MKS, he'll also tell you what you need to know to maximize your enjoyment of rod.

Bob (Meiser) does some exceptionally beautiful grip work. He used to use CTS blanks exclusively. Actually, Bob had specified certain tapers to his liking for CTS to produce. I believe that Bob's blanks are now made in Asia. But if the buyer wants a CTS blank, he will comply.
His proprietary blanks do tend to be softer than some like.
Herb

The second video is NOT any type of Spey! It is a two handed overheard cast, often used by surf fishermen.

Phil Erickson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The second video is NOT any type of Spey! It is a
> two handed overheard cast, often used by surf
> fishermen.

You nailed it! This man is a surf fisherman. I do believe this is how my buddy met him was while both were surf fishing, and he found out my buddy made custom rods and this video and rod he is using in the video are the results.

Description under video:

"John Grasta and his group of friends are innovating and pushing two handed spey rod fishing in Florida. He has caught every Florida species on one, and many more. Catch him at Sebastian inlet every Sunday slingin big flies."

I am wondering why he works so hard- back and forth and back and forth- just to achieve 100 foot casts? I can nearly double that with a 7'6" spinning rod and a single motion quick cast. Maybe all that casting motion is just his way of working out and fishing at the same time? Maybe I should try it! Nah. I'd have to transport a rod like that one around tied to the roof rack of my SUV.

There is nothing new about his two handed style of casting. Surf fishermen here on the west coast having been doing it for many years.

What may be different, is if he is using "Spey rods" instead of the usual surf rods.