Curious to reasoning behind having to be at or under 3oz. My preference is to not put a graphite/nylon seat on a fly rod- just don't care for the look. Have used Batsons RA7 skeletons with a graphite inserts but don't see in my build notes what the weight came in at. Same with Struble. Sure if you called Batson's they could help you find the right set up.
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Was sad to hear of this late yesterday. Tight Loops and bent rods wherever your next adventure may be. RIP JW.
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That is a cool reel. Lot of my guys are using Mako's now and swear by them. Lot less bulky, huge drag capabiltity and bullet proof. The late Jack Charlton designed them with input from billfish studs like Jake Jordan etc... Either way, ton of jack for a reel!
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Sage makes a very nice 14wt and also 16 wt Xi3. Both are 8'. TFO has their bluewater versions as well. A bunch of friends fish Casa Vieja this time every year and most are throwing one of these 2 sticks. In fact, one of the group released an estimated 450 lb. blue marlin a week ago while targetting sails. Guides typically start with a size 20 stripper, then a 16 and then a 12 with 5's out to
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Doing a saltwater 6 (St. Croic SCV) right now. #12 stripper, then black pearl recoils snakes, 4, 3, 3, 2, ,2, 2, 1, 1, 1. May do away with the 3's and go 2's. Not sure I would go with the BLG ringed guides due to weight and corrosion potential in the salt.
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Stuart, I am finishing up (2) Phenix Titans as we speak. A conventional 5'6" for a Tyrnos 12 II (TJX565MH 30-80) spiral wrapped, and then a 6' spinner(TJX605MH) for a Saragosa 18000. Kevin helped me with some great aluminum accesories and would recommend linking up with him for additional input or components. Really like the action so hope to break them in properly down in Hatteras in
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Fly have always been high modulus.
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Hunter, I fish the James quite a bit on fly so can relate to your application. I don't have one rod for fishing the James but use a variety of sticks depending on what I want to do, usually a 6wt through 8wt, depending on flows. I usually have a small fighting butt on my inshore rods since I mostly use them for chasing bonefish, reds, stripers, blues, specks, etc... that will put me on the r
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Thought Batson had some at the ICRBE configured like that. Might be able to find a picture on their website or latest catalog.
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Looking Great so far Scott! REALLY looking forward to your online store. Think it is going to be a hit.
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Since you are looking to buy as much through muhole, look at their St. Croix SCV blowout (2010 model). Think there is a 6' 2wt in there and would save you some $$$.
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The freshwater or light #3 measures .54mm in diameter while the #3 in the saltwater or heavy measures .64mm so just a thickness difference in the wire used. Think your mullet plan would be fine with the light duty version. Just wouldn't wrap a tarpon rod with the smaller guides.
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I would look at the REC single foots for your 2 weight. The guides you mention are much heavier and wouldn't be the best choice for what you are intending. Go with a small stripper like a #10 (Fuji CLNAG, PAc Bay NSG, Am TAck NIRLC) then maybe a #3 REC RSF, then a couple #2's then #1's the rest of the way ending with a RTTUL-S top. If you are open to other blank ideas, the ones mentioned abov
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I have started to offset my butt buide 5-10 degrees on spiral wrapped jigging rods (conventional set up). For non level wind reels, find if you can get the line to move in one direction on its own, you only have to guide/push it back with your finger giving you proper spooling on the retrieve vs back and forthing it with your finger the whole time which is difficult for some folks.
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Just ordered 4 for an upcoming project, timing is perfect!
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Roger, you are correct my case was with the drying/timing motor.
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The RX7's are not the quickest sticks out there either so your casting stroke may need to be adapted a bit. If you are getting ahead of the rod, you won't get it to load properly and hence the dud. Good luck.
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My AmTAc power wrapper will change direction if you switch it on/off while in dry mode.
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Thanks guys. Kevin, will shoot you a note later to see about a set.
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If you really want to stay with the single foots look at the black pearl single foot guides from REC. Sweet guide. The other problem I have seen with ringed single foot fly guides is the foot is wider than the blank so you must grind it down to prevent any overhang. With these newer super graphite/resins etc... the blank diameters have been shrinking. Agree with Drew on the smaller strippers
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Does anyone know of a source for the Jigging Master Aluminum pieces (domestically), particularly the balancer and gimbal? Have a client who may be interested for an upcoming project. Thanks in advance for any info!
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I put them on prior to mounting the grip on new rods. Spray eva with some 3M Super 77, then slide tubing over grip. Hit it with heat gun. When you want to make the ends look good when mounting, I trim it to where it looks like I have enough to cover any face of the grip, then hit it with the heat and then press grip down lightly on my lathe frame (cool aluminum) which sets it in that snug and
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Jon, Any prototype 12 weights I can test this spring on some big poons :) ?
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Would second the recommendation to cast whatever you can prior to purchasing. The blanks you are looking at are both excellent. I personally am waiting for the 9' version of the 8wt by NFC since I fish from a boat 99% of the time. I have cast and fished the Helios and Zero G from Orvis. If going the Orvis route, would only go the Helios. Super light and a rocket. I would also check out the
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Built up one of the very first MB808-1 (HM) as a personal rod. I trimmed about 9.5" off the butt to get the feel I was looking for. Did a carbon skinned rear grip, no foregrip, titanium AmTacks and micros. Perfect rod for throwing the small mirrodines and bdonks at specks and reds. Paired perfectly with a Sustain 2500 loaded with 20lb. Samurai braid. Casts a mile, tremendous feel, great
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At least a 7.5' from the party boats. My brother in-law runs the Vking Fleet out of Montauk and I have done a few personal rods for him. One other thing to consider for your build is the longer butt grip so it can be snugged up under the arm pit or when you jig the rod with hands far apart. Next couple I build will probably be on the Hercules blank. Funny about the cork. Guys out there love
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I have built on a few of the SCV saltwater fly blanks with the NSi and I am very impressed. The 9' #9 casts like a cannon and the saltwater #6 is slick!
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You should be good to go down to 2's and 1's. Just finished an 8'6" #5 and last 4 were all #1 single foot recoils.
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Great fly guides. Agree with Jim on the tip top and a ceramic ring. Less stress on fly line. The new REC Black Pearls are nice as well supposed to be a tad slicker
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Some rods will actually need to be overlined so curious what blanks you have been using and what factory rods were used in comparison.
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