Looking for advice.

I have a co-worker looking for a 1 piece spinning rod around 8' built specifically for throwing artificial to pompano from the sand bar and pier. He had a custom 7.5 foot rod previously, but broke it last week. The blank is a custom build over 10 years old, so I cant source it.

My initial thought would be a NFC HS 821-1 as it looks like a close match spec-wise on paper, but I've never built a pompano rod before. He is throwing jigs and spoons on the lighter side 3/8 to 1.5 ounces and I want to make sure he has the casting distance needed when wading in the surf. I've heard good things about the HS rods, but have never put my hands on one.

Any experience out there would be a greatly appreciated as I typically build inshore rods.

What blank was used for your co-worker’s rod? There may be a modern version of his broken rod which might make him happy. I’ve built several rods for casting lures for inshore species including pompano, rather than for soaking a bait on the bottom. I think the hotshot blank may work just fine. It might be a little overkill, but not sure since I have not used that particular model. I’ve used MHX and Rainshadow 8’ to 9’ salmon/steelhead blanks for casting up to 1.5 oz, and they work great for pompano. I’ve also used an 8’ Carolina Cast Pro Blank rated for 1/2 - 1 1/2 oz lures. A very nice blank for pompano and other inshore species. However, all of these blanks are two piece blanks. An extremely nice 8’ one piece blank is the Point Blank PB801MXF it’s rated to cast 1/4 to 2 oz. lures. I’ve used several of these blanks for inshore spinning rods and they are great. A little on the pricey side, but worth it. They are very light and responsive. One reason why one piece blanks of 8’ or longer are hard to find is that shipping costs can become prohibitively expensive. If you find a blank listed as 8’ one piece, it is usually 7’10” or 7’11” because it can be shipped much cheaper than an 8’ Blank.
Norm



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/21/2023 07:58PM by Norman Miller.

I think I would look for the NFC blank in Delta material for pier fishing, I'd want the added durability. Another composite blank would be the Thrasher BSC 7806. My favorite pompano rod was the G Loomis 941 for beach fishing, but I never threw that heavy a lure, it was lighter powered than the 981..



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/22/2023 10:00AM by Spencer Phipps.

does he often throw 1.5oz? that seems really heavy for pompano jigs but maybe that's atlantic, I only do it in the gulf.

as someone else mentioned a salmon steelhead rod would be great. Lamiglas has some 7'10 options that really zing a lure out. they are sensitive and work well at the lower end of their weight range (I find that many things rated to 1.5 can't even begin to toss 3/8) as well as the top. the moderate action is great for keeping things pinned in the surf. the max castinc distance will come here.

I have an NFC sj725 3/8-1 that I intend to use for the same thing but it's not 8 foot. faster action, more sensitive for what can be a light biting fish.

Mark Thanks for the reply. He throwing around 3/8oz. Same thoughts on most rods being rated higher than their optimal casting range. I have a few NFC SJ blanks and I think that series might work well based on their tips. I was also looking at the SJ 765 to give him the length he's looking for. After some more research that's likely what I'll go with.

About 3 months ago we had this discussion about twitching (jigging) for Chinook Salmon, Aleks Maslov from NFC advised that the HS 821-1, whose listed rating is for soaking a large plug and sinker in current, would also do well throwing twitching jigs from 3/8 to a max of 1.5 oz. though the max so far for chinook jigs seems to be 1 oz., so far. Search for "Twitching for Chinook" time period 1 year.