All,
Due to lack of ability to handle blanks prior to purchase, I have been forced to buy several and compare. I ended up with a Breakaway GDX, Rod Geeks 12 ft 6-16, CCP 13 ft 3-6 (with intent to trim) and Talon B174...11 ft 9, 8-16. These blanks are all completely different and I am stumped. I need a blank for fishing Spring Chinook and possibly Fall Chinook on the Columbia River around Bonneville and Warrendale. Has anyone had experience with these blanks? I'm not looking to power Cast, just lob weight out....something around 6-12 ounces, 12 might be pushing it, but I also already have a rod that can handle under 8 no problem. The Rod Geeks seems a bit much, CCP has a soft tip but alot of backbone, GDX is only rated to 6 but is close to the Rod Geeks in power and the Talon is easily the lightest in power of them all. I can really only build 1 and sell the rest, what so I choose?

Derick,

I know that I have mentioned this before - take a look at the SUR1167, we sell A LOT of them for plunking, specifically for Bonneville. Somewhere in the range of 500 or so per year just for that application.

[northforkcomposites.com]

Best,
Aleks

Aleks,
I understand that, but realistically what can they handle? My concern is the utter lack of internet speak on NFC surf blanks. I have an Xray Bass rod as well as an St905 HM, I love them both. The difference is they both are in high use and well documented on the internet. If I could somehow arrange an in person visit (I'm in Portland) I would consider it, but I don't want to take a stab in the dark on a blank that simply isn't talked about by the people who do what I'm looking to do.

I don't know what "internet speak" is, but I would think that the use of CCS power and action numbers would be effective here. Easy to check on the blanks/rods you have, and I'll bet NFC has the numbers on everything they make. Or could easily get them for you.

I will try that.

Derick,

I have no desire to recommend a blank (as I have twice now) and watch it come back to warranty if it blows up.

I plunk, on the Bonneville for Sturgeon, and on the Columbia for Steelhead. So do a number of the members of our staff.

If you are local, by all means stop in. We are at 1395 Down River Drive, Building D. In Woodland, WA.

Aleks

Derick Jahnke Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Aleks,
> I understand that, but realistically what can
> they handle? My concern is the utter lack of
> internet speak on NFC surf blanks. I have an Xray
> Bass rod as well as an St905 HM, I love them both.
> The difference is they both are in high use and
> well documented on the internet. If I could
> somehow arrange an in person visit (I'm in
> Portland) I would consider it, but I don't want to
> take a stab in the dark on a blank that simply
> isn't talked about by the people who do what I'm
> looking to do.

Maybe you should be looking for info on Edge surf rods if you want the best chance for info. I have found that to be the case through many years of rod building.