Traditional snake guide layout would be 2/0,2/0,1/0,1/0,1,1,2,2,3 with light wire snakes then a 9mm metal stripper or 10mm ceramic stripper guide. You could also make it non traditional to make the tip a touch lighter weight by using 1 additional 2/0 and 1/0 and cut down on the 1 and 2 size.
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At that length and line weight I would also check out fly rod blanks made of S glass fiberglass. The Steffen 8’ 3/4 is a very sought out but also CTS Quartz which I handled at the ICRBE that felt great. Another blank that is made in the USA that has received great reviews is Livingston fly rods.
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7 snake guides should be enough but certainly 8 tops. An 8mm carbide or chrome stripper guide going to a 1 size snake then progressively down to 2/0 near the tip such as 2 1s,2 1/0 and 3 or 4 2/0s. Or non conventional would be 6 or 7 2/0s going to a 1 then stripper. If you look up Tadpole fly rods in fiberhlassflyrodders I believe there are several post about the Batson SPG builds.
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Since it sounds like you don’t need a multi piece fly rod for transport, how about a 1 piece e glass blank like the Batson SPG 780 for around $18. I have heard that is makes a very good 3/4 weight fly rod. Brook trout will hit decent size flies and when the wind picks up I would rather have a 3 that can handle a 4 line vs a 2 weight.
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I am big fan of made in the USA rod blanks and especially North Fork Composites. With that said I wish they would go with an everyday reasonable price and shipping around $20 and maybe every once in awhile do a small sale to keep the volume consistent. This makes me think of what Tom has said many times that you can have only have 2 out of 3 Quality, Price and Service.
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A saltwater pier rod can also be used for freshwater fishing such as catfish. The Rod Geek X Comps are perfect pier/ catfish rods and their SG, Bass 2 or Inshore series would do well too. If you underhand pitch from the pier soaking bait you don’t need a rod with a lure rating as high as if you are overhead power casting the same weight. A blank rated 3/4-2 can underhand lob 3 no problem. With t
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That is odd, I just ordered some carbon fiber grips a few days ago and the shipping was free.
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Yeah the ratings are all different because it is all subjective to personal opinion and casting ability. I have a St Croix Avid rated 3-8 and it will lob 8 but I wouldn't want to go full power. 4-5 oz is best for me with it. Also have an All-star 1266 rated 1-4 oz that will sling a 2 oz spoon and still cast 4 oz lead and bait decent, it might lob 5 just haven't tried it because I go to my Avid in
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Moderate action blanks due tend to have a broader lure range than faster action and is better keeping a fish buttoned up with treble hook lures. The downside is less sensitivity using non moving baits and slower to pull fish away from cover. So it depends on your fishing conditions, if you fish open beach with treble hook lures the moderate action would excell. If you fish off bridges or piers or
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I would check out the North Fork Composites Delta hybrid blanks either the 704 or 705 depending on the lure weights or fishing in cover. Pretty positive that these are the same blanks used in Kistler's Feel n Reel rods. They are still 65% off with free ship as of now.
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What weight lures will you be casting? Anglers Workshop has their private label, a 9ft 2-6 oz rated made in USA by Talon for $122. One of the Salmon blanks from North Fork Composites may work great with plugs and other treble hook lures and at 60% off with free shipping that would get you under budget. I believe their lure ratings are for trolling so a 1-6 oz rated blank is probably half
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I am really like my Lews Speed Spool Inshore reel that I bought off of @#$%& for a good deal. It has a strong smooth drag, lightweight and a good simple to adjust magnetic cast control. I do agree that there are many good baitcasters from Shimano, Daiwa,Abu and 13 fishing as well.
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I wonder if you could take a more common 8’6” or very common 9’ blank and trim equally from both tip and butt sections to get to an 8 foot rod. I also wonder if the Nork Fork CB 704 Delta S Glass carbon composite blank would make a decent fly rod kept at 7’ or extended. At $40 shipped right now it is an incredible deal for a USA blank. Another thought is a low power popping rod blank and th
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I do some kayak fishing in small lakes in the Triad area of NC and around Nags Head NC in the sound. The main thing that dictates rod length is the length of the kayak that you are using. You need to be able to direct the line around the bow especially when a good sized red drum decides to make a run straight under your kayak. I typically fish from 12 to 13 foot kayaks and like 6ft6in to 7ft3in r
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Short fly rod for tight brushy streams is IMO in fiberglass wheelhouse. There are a few Seeker fiberglass spinning rod blanks that I have been told make good fly rods the 110 is a 4/5, SP 601 and SP702. Others models I have been told are too fast and judging by a fiberglass blank that short with a butt diameter greater than 1/2 inch I would say so. For blanks around $40 each they are something I
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You won’t regret going with the X Ray for your build.
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The Delta blank quality is excellent especially for the $. If this is a go to rod that will be used very often I would opt for the X Ray since it is already in your preferred length and greater power to weight ratio for more sensitivity to bites. At 65% off it is certainly the time to get one if you can swing it. Can’t wait till I have some time to build my SJ 732.
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I just got in a X Ray SJ 732 rod blank that I probably won’t have time to build until after the holidays. I need to do a CCS measurement to find out how fast and it’s power but it feels quite light and fast action. Should be great for finesse bass. Also picked up a Delta MB 664 and I like the non sanded blank look and is a good value.
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Russ, They have been pretty quick to respond about blank ?s through Facebook and I called and talked to Scarlet who was really nice and helpful getting the x Ray blank added on. I didn’t hear anything for awhile and was getting antsy until they sent an email showing it was shipped with tracking. It was at my door step across the country in 2 days in a thick cardboard shipping tube with excell
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Patience is a virtue. Easier said than done though. I made an order for a mb 664 on July 16 then added a X Ray SJ 732 on 8-21 when they were running 65% off for 2 or more blanks plus free shipping. I received both of them on 9-28 and they both look and feel great especially the X Ray as it feels powerful for it's weight and fast action. For less than $120 I received 2 quality USA rod blanks fo
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PVC 4x4 fence post 8 ft long for around $20 and can hold many rods and no rolling around. Can even use the pvc fence post as caps for on the cheap. Somebody can surely make it look nice covered in a nice covering with wood caps.
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10 lb test mono or fluorocarbon is much different than someone using 10 braid . I didn’t see any of those rods selling for $550, I agree if they were I would much rather get a North Fork X Ray or Point Blank custom built exactly to your usage.
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I think the mass produced rod companies has to use a guide setup that works for a huge range of conditions.Fishing line manufactures lb rating and diiameters is all over place, such as a 14lb fireline is more like someone else’s 20lb braid. Then spinning reel diameter sizes between manufacturers is different as well. Much different than a custom rod builder that can build a rod specifically for s
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For my hand grip I don’t like a size 16 pipe spinning seat and much prefer a 17 or 18mm . The only exception is the seats with the palm swell like the Aero. Go with the size that suits you best.
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I like a longer fore grip on a spinning reel especially for kayak fishing to keep the butt a touch shorter. I think an up locking pipe seat with a dense Eva grip is fine, I can always put a finger directly on the blank for extra sensitivity. Another thing I like is a carbon fiber tube with an attached plate reel seat. One crazy thought of mine is too attach a Fuji plate seat to a carbon skinne
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Maybe the black rubber wheel well sound deadening spray that can be found at auto part stores.
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So I understand like you Tom, decisions decisions can rack your brain.
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So I understand like you Tom, decisions decisions can rack your brain.
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Looks like their SJ 732 has more power than the MB 733. Might have to check it out. Already ordered a Delta MB 664. Looking to build a spin rod faster and a little stronger than my P703 good for light plastics and jigs for bass, specs and up to upper slot redfish.
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They have responded back pretty quickly through Facebook messenger. I have been looking at those x rays. Just wish that they had more models available because there is a big jump from 3 to 6 power. Rodhouse in France has some info about those blanks on their site.
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