Hey Guys, Im looking to build out a 7wt rod for sink tips and larger trout streamers. Ive been very impressed with my 8wt Sage Payload in the salt and would like to build something similar, but in a lighter weight. Right now im looking seriously at the NFC LMX Blanks in a 9’ 7wt but Id like to hear some suggestions. Im thinking of trimming 3” from the butt of a fast 9’ blank to have more flex in the butt end and id like to find something with a softish sensitive tip.

I built a 10' #7 rod on a CTS blank for steelhead using streamers (and other flies, of course). Wonderful

Alex,
Depending on size of Trout and sinktip line weights - the definitive trout rod is the CTS Affinity-Vintage 9'0" #5.
Also have it in 8'6".
If fish are large are sink tips heavy - the Affinity-MX in a 9'0" #7
You won't have to cut either blank.

Another blank is one that I designed using CTS' custom design program. I built a #6 Protoype for Chico Fernandez that he uses for bonefish in ultra calm weather.
Herb

The Payload is known as a fast and powerful blank.

I built an NFC LMX 9ft 8wt and I think it is a very good rod. It is fairly fast action but not too much so. I would not say its tip is soft, but it bends plenty. I was catching 15" rooster fish in Mexico in the salt from the beach and it cast well and flexed/bent just fine. I would not trim off the butt. If you want a fuller flexing blank with a softer tip I would highly recommend the old Xi blanks from Hook and Hackle. They cast smoothly and are quite moderate in action, and they are selling them off to make way for the newer faster model blanks.

9' 7wt Xi on sale for $89. Cant go wrong at that price. Very pleasant green color blank and smooth casting. Not the lightest, but just fine. I have a 9' 5wt i made about 4 years ago and enjoy it quite a bit. Tip is soft enough to make it a good nymphing rod.

[store.hookhack.com]

I was not in the wrapping mood two years ago and had lots of Cabela's gift cards and purchased a TFO Mangrove Coast, which is not fast and is very pleasant to cast and fish, if you want to go off the rack for less than $350/

The Batson E2 blank would be too fast for you, I think, but a Revelation may work.

Best of luck.

I have forgotten to bring up a point important in a sink tip streamer rod, you want a rod that roll casts well, there are many nowadays that do not. There is no better way to handle a sink tip line then to bring it in to where you are no longer fishing, roll casting the tip to the surface and immediately make one back cast and fire to your next area.

Echo streamer X, not sure if the blank is available