I could use a bit of advice.

A family member did me a big favor earlier this year, and I'd like to repay his generosity by making him a couple spinning rods. One for him and one for his son.

As difficult as it may be - I'd like to make them a couple "general purpose" spin rods. I know he fishes from a boat for bass and panfish quite a bit, so I was thinking something like a 6' for 1/8-3/8 ounce lures. His son is eleven years old. I was figuring the same lure range as his Dad's rod, but just a bit shorter.

Not knowing how they store their rods, I was figuring 2-piece would be best.

I'm not well versed on components for spin rods, so if you have some suggestions for blanks and soup-to-nuts componentry, I'd appreciate it very much.

Thanks.

Bob

Bob
American Tackle makes very nice two piece, inexpensive light action rods that are available from several sponsors to the left as well as direct from American Tackle. Their GFW602L or GFW662L may be the blank you're looking for.
Ken

In my opinion, most light power rods are too light for bass, though fine for panfish. Medium power is better for bass, though stouter than you need for panfish. Compromise on medium-light rods, and make them 6'6" for the father, 6' for the son (at 11, he's about to grow fast). Or, make a 6'6" medium and a 6' medium-light.

I'd build them both 6'6" medium power ex-fast tip. That has the power to haul in good size bass yet has enough tip flex to cast light pan fish rigs. Yes at 11 the son may like the 6' rod but kids grow fast at that age and by next year he will probably be using his dads 6'6" more often than not. Most 11 year olds can handle a rod that size.

Check out the St. Croix 3S63MXF. 6'3" XF action 1/8-3/8oz lure. It's not 2-piece though.

Bob, I'm just finishing a 6 ft 6 in spinning rod for my 19 year old daughter. We do lots of spinning for bass and panfish, and the lures we primarily use are 4" plastic grubs on 1/6 - 1/8 oz leadhead ball jigs, and also 4" Rapalas. For her rod I chose a St. Croix SCII blank (2S66LF2). It's a 2 piece blank, rated for 4-8 lb line, and 1/16 - 5/16 oz. lures. Costs $42-$47, depending where you buy it.
St. Croix rates it as a fast action, light power rod. This rod feels more like a medium light action to me. If this type of lure weight is what they like to use, I recommend a light or medium light action rod. We catch largemouth bass up to 5 lbs on outfits like these, and plenty of panfish. I suggest you ask the father what weight lures they like to cast, and use that to guide you to the light/medium light power rating of the rods. I also agree that an 11 year old should use a 6 ft. rod (Even 6' 6" is OK, since they fish from a boat. A longer rod will help cast farther.)
Hope this helps. Barry

Try the St.Croix IIIS66MLF. This blank will make a great rod for drop shoting to light worm fishing. Has a lot of butt with a nice light tip.

Good luck.

Bruce Young
Landing Gear

Bob,
- I think that you should focus more on line weight. Some of my family members use spinning rods for trout where four pound line is the rule but that just won't do for bass. BTW are these smallmouth, largemouth or striped bass?
- I have seen posts on using Ultra Light rods for smallmouth bass but I'm sure that is the exception rather than the rule. So, I would first want to ask your friend if he uses a spinning rod at all for bass and, if so, what line test he would use.
- I have used the Lamiglas GUL662 (66", 2 - 6# line) for the Ultra Lights with happy results. For Light bass fishing I would look at their GFW series which goes as high as 12# line.
- To me it seems like too much compromise to try to use the same rod for bass and panfish but if I did I would look at the GFW78-2ML, 78" for 4 -10# line. Most spinning reels come with an extra spool. A reel like the Shimano Spirex1000 is light enough for panfishing and yet can carry about 75 yards of 10# line for the bass fishing. Bass are not known for real long runs.

I think your best bet is to try to find out what they like! Even if you have to tell him what you are doing! Better to build them what they want-then take a guess . Try to find out what they are using now-and if they like them

Also try the St Croix web site and use the rod selector to get an idea or starting place of what is used