Don't be surprised that the 1st is better than you think and becomes one of your favorites. I have built a bunch of salmon and steelhead fly rods for Ontario and Erie. My 1st rod was a st. croix 6wt impala that I now use for throwing top water poppers for pond bass from the yak. Grips could be better and as a whole I surprised myself!
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Wow my experience on Erie, NYS and Can. bottom bouncing is so much different. I started using an old ugly stick with 30 lb braid and a baitcaster, I love the line pick up rate and how the rod loads- when drifting. Just another solution to a problem. Its the smallies and sheephead that are hard on the gear.
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Built a 9 wt. NFC salt fly rod. Like the blank, use it to throw the biggest fresh water poppers I can make and no issues with back bone. In fact too much rod for Lake Ontario run salmon. Great rod, BEAST!!
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I like building rods for fun, might sell em. Built a few for payment for some work. What a PITA, took the fun out of it. I built a bunch of icefishing rods this year and had to laugh about some of the comments I got back, very critical, (like why is the hook holder off set) I like em that way so I can put a finger on the blank and feel. Get as much details as possible and expect some bumps along
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Best of luck with the build. Last spring I made a 10 wt. NFC for throwing poppers for pike, bass and musky. Put a carbon fiber full wells and black TI guides. Build came out great and fish it often from the kayak. Only complaint was the finish on the blank, mine could have come out better, it was an unfinished blank and my skill set could be better. As far as throwing salt water sized poppers,
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Yeah I looked to some rods I have and from the info gathered, I thought that 8oz might be too heavy, but its not. Just not that familiar with the specs. I appreciate the feedback Michael and Mike. Any suggestion on blanks? Rather make than buy it, but for how often I'll fish it not looking to pay 200 for a blank.
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Yeah I looked to some rods I have and from the info gathered, I thought that 8oz might be too heavy, but its not. Just not that familiar with the specs. I appreciate the feedback Michael and Mike. Any suggestion on blanks? Rather make than buy it, but for how often I'll fish it not looking to pay 200 for a blank.
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Looking to build a friend a surf casting rod, who lives in Delaware and has a permit to drive on the beach. I have surf fished in FLA but not an expert. I have spoken to several shops in the Delaware region, seems like rod specs. vary for seasons. Is there an all purpose rod for this region (mid-atlantic). Possible recommendation? Was thinking of a 13' 15-25lb 1-4oz lure weight. I have been to
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Might want to upgrade in weight from a steelie rod to a heavier one. I have seen many center-pin guys break (on purpose) off on kings and big browns when using light leaders or light weight rods. They know that a 30lb king just might snap their light set ups. Gotta be merit for concern with a green king snapping their custom pin rod. Have landed kings, steel and just about anything else that ru
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I just don't use the power on my alps, just hand turn it. I do run glow in the dark wraps on hut rods. So I do wrap some of tops. Been making carbon and fiberglass dead-sticks for deep water crappie/perch and occasional walleye. Doing the soft/flexing rods are tough and my quality varies. Ultimately the wrap needs to hold the guide on, not win a beauty contest. I like the bobbin idea. Be
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good info folks. I put black REC's on my salt 10 wt, never even thought about it. If you don't rise rods and reels after salt use. Its a you issue 101 care. The reels need more attention in my view than the rods. I also try to eliminate any tunnels or lack of coverage with epoxy, I went up the blank more than just covering the wraps. I would notice if I was 2 grams light, just saying!
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Man I will say that Lefty was a casting machine, very knowledgeable and a true teacher. He would throw everything including the kitchen sink into his casts. 2nd rod I built was a lefty TFO for my son, its caught some nice chrome over the years. I'd like to see how he would approach fishing from a yak? what adjustments?
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Nice very nice work in the photos. Kudos!!!
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Mr. Wilson impressive work. I saw a pic of ice rods drying by the fire. They look nice, kinda long for my liking, do you fishing in large wooden huts? I generally would use a rod like that outside and jigging for walters.
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I like the info in this thread and how people bottom bounce with different tackle, especially the amount of weight. I use an old ugly stick (med) with braid and bait caster. It loads well even with lighter loads 1 oz. or less. We back troll with the heavier bouncers and I have stiffer rods for that. You guys use socks/bags/ sea anchors?
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True 100% on practice and performance. Kinda funny thou they do make offsets, different lies, longer and short lengths. There is always the comfort level physically and mentally.
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Phil Ewanicki Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I don't make rod recommendations to fly casters I > don't know and have never seen casting - because > bad advice is worse than no advice at all. A good opening requisite for the salt casting I found is the double haul so there is a opening bid??? I do like the action and power of my gamma for this. I
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Mike I'm trying to respond to your email, but my work computer and server and not allowing me to contact you again? it dislikes your email/warning. Our district was hacked last year and they went over the top. Send me a phone # and I'll send you pics and info on my wife's or sons phone I do not have a cell nor do I want one. Forecast carbon fiber full wells and butt Black REC guides Black meta
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Just built a Gamma 10 wt. light and fast. Bought the blank for tarpon, pike and musky fishing. Throws big flies well. Use it on kings this year and the action was great on drifts and hooksets crisp. I put carbon fiber grips on it and TI guides= pretty light!
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Yeah the NFC blank I just built had some odd surface cosmetics wear/finish. I flexed the rod before I built it and no problems. Its built it and I enjoy the end product.(Very light for a 10wt.) Wait time getting the blank it was longer than stated.
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