Where might I be able to find solid glass blanks that I can use to make spigot ferrules with? Especially looking for the larger diameter, such as for surf rods. Thanks
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I would have gone with 30-25-20-16-16-16 plus a 16 ring tip. Whit
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I'm with Clyde Hunt, above, on the larger diameter blanks. On the shrink tube, I just electric tape the ends and then varnish that just like a rod wrap. It keeps everything in place, and looks good too. On the smaller diameter blanks I use EVA, not hypalon. EVA is much lighter in weight, although firmer in grip than hypalon. Hypalon is better suited for big game boat type rods because
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I'm really looking for the 3-4 or more piece blanks. The application is Indian Ocean, and way back in the bush, with lots of 4x4 travel, so compactness is key.
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Can anyone recommend a provider of "travel" surf blanks? needs to be 9-11 feet Thanks Whit
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I'd go with size 30-25-20-16-16-16, with the first guide 36-40 inches up from the top of the reel seat, and the rest spaced on a static test basis up the blank. The NSG's are fine but I'm happy with good old hardaloys or even aluminum oxide (still used widely by longcasters). And use a tip ring diameter of 12 or larger (preferably 16). Sic is best for tip, byt hardaloys are just fine. Large r
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Aha! Thanks very much. One is a 15' one is a 13' so I'll do the math to get started, then adjust as necessary! Warmly, Whit
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Folks: I've never built a Spey Rod and I'm building one for 9wt and one for 12wt. The plan is to use them on big rivers in Scotland, though no doubt I'll want to try them out in the Pacific NW and on the beaches of Florida. I wonder what is the right length for the foregrip. I've seen mention of anything from 12-14 or more inches. Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks in advance! Whit
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Jason nailed it. If you want to go less expensive, I've found the Mudhole e-glass live bait blanks are also excellent - and less than 20 bucks a pop, Personally I like the light ones in the 7' length, and use mono in the 12-20 lb range, although there are plenty of choices. BTW, These rods are also sometimes referred to as "pitch rods" if you are South Florida centric.
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Hah. All of my best rods used to be on Fenwick blanks, and many are still in use today. To keep things front and center, I still have a Fenwick cowboy style belt buckle that they once sold as part of a promotion of some kind, as well as a "wall-hanger" embroidered sign that still hangs in my workshop. And no, I'm not going to get rid of any of them!
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Same as a 7 1/2 only stretch a little further. Or put the rod down and walk your hand down the line for the lip lock in the case of a LMB
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Why limit yourself to 7'? I have variations that go up to 9' with my favorite open water rod being 8 1/2 ' Get much longer cast, which is a worthy thing if you are on the flats or in a kayak or innertube or otherwise low to the water.
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I use the aluminum tube, for up to and including surf rods
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I'd try Mudhole. They are a sponsor. That's where I got mine. Not sure about the voltage difference though. Whit
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One more suggestion, not listed, Its the Calstar 6455XXH which is probably the .30-'06 -equivalent of all blanks in this category. It's glass and therefore forgiving and very durable: especially good for someone over age 40. Been getting the job done for 20 plus years.
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While we are talking Goodwill, I have used...gulp.....aluminum ski poles. They are lightweight, tapered, strong, and do a great job as butts.
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He did an article on me in the late 1960's fishing for (and catching!) largemouth on Lake Gaston in North Carolina. I still have one of the pictures he took - framed it even. And his tackle craft book is excellent. Nice guy.
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Rick I completely agree with the trajectory of your thinking. If you'd like to chat over the phone e-mail me first at pengle@prenova.com and we can exchange phone numbers. Whit
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Rick: Not to prolong this thread unnecessarily, I have built a number of rods in the 7 1/2 - 10 foot range, just for surf fishing, that actually did use the single foots although in a casting configuration. There are mostly styled for lighter lures and iron in the surf of, say, up to 1 1/2 oz (even though the blanks may be rated heavier) and using 10-15 lb line with 12 lb (.035) the most comm
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Rick: If you want to get edgy, on the St Croix you could have the top 3 or 4 guides as single foot, but the 1-3 oz rating is the heavy end of the scale. IMO I would stick with the double foot guides. Another factor is whether you are hard on your rods, i.e. in travel, etc. The rougher you are I'd go with the double feet. Also if you plan on using anything more than about a 30 lb shoc
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Wow, that's a nice suggestion. I'll have to use that one! I've been getting rubber plugs at the hardware store and then epoxying them in place. Goodbye to that! Whit
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Rick: With spinning in mind, on the Fenwick I would consider something like the Pac Bay BSHG series, and for the lighter rod something like the Amtak HLG series. Variations come in black or chrome. Whit
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I cannot tell by your question whether or not you will be using these rods for casting or spinning applications when your re-work is complete. I highly recommend the taller guides for casting, to keep the line off the blank. That said: 1) for the Fenwick, if it one of the big ones such as the "Big Surfstick" it probably now comes with five or six guides which start out at about
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I go with two in this situation, although certainly you can get away with one. In my experience, the issue is not whether or not the guide will hold on to the blank, but whether I want to delay getting opaque crows feet in the finish, especially right at the tip of the guides feet due to the stressing. And I really stress mine. Whit
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IMO it depends on what you use the rod for. If it is for tossing 8 n bait then I would lean to something in the 28-32" range as I use a longcasting style and like the leverage. If it is for lightweight useage such as tossing iron and plugs of the 1-21/2 oz variety, I go with a much shorter length, with the starting point for measurement being to hold the rod in such a way as the butt i
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My standard guides in those days for bass casting rods were the standard chrome plated "spinning" style starting around size 16 and going to about sze 8. They happened to be Mildrum and varmac, but I don't think those are around any more. I'm sure you could find a picture on the web though, and then match it to a current brand.
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www.charkbait.com is where I would go. Not affiliated. Actually, you should look at the Jerry Brown spectra too, which is my preference. They sell both, and do international sales Whit
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Better yet find out where he is going (name of town), and when. That will help when it comes to providing advice.
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Yes, its the Tay. We might also go on the Tweed, which runs along the border between Scotland and England. He uses a Bruce & Walker rod he got it from Jock Monteith, a famous ghiillie on the Tay, but is not sure of the line weight. Whit
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Ahh. I thought he said Tee (Which is a river name etched in my mind from my youth, so he might have said Tay and I heard Tee) I'll confirm that, and also try to get the line weight. Whit
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