I have the SP600 and like it for REALLY light and close stuff, but was wondering how the SP720 extended by 8" might work? I already have IP840 and love it. I thought the SP720 would maybe give me the next step down. I have also thought about the SP721 and SP781 but those look more similare to my IP840 in power. Any thoughts from the UL enthusiasts?
Forum: rodboard

I am restoring an old Horrocks Ibbotson (think that's the name) bamboo fly rod for a buddy. All of the ferrules are loose and one is missing, so my plan is to remove and reattached the loose ferrules and replace the missing one. My questions are: First, am I correct that Rod Bond will work for the ferrules? Second, how do I measure in order to know what size ferrule to order? Do I size the m
Forum: rodboard

I might go a bit different direction and look at the Batson steelhead and salmon blanks in the 9 to 10 1/2 foot range. I fish on the coast of SC (would guess the surf is similar?) and I usually use a 2oz pyramid sinker. Sometimes I have to use 3oz but I can usually do that with a lob cast. I have a 1086 and a 1264 and they both work great for what I do fishing for Pompano, Redfish and Whiteing
Forum: rodboard

Yesterday a friend gave me a couple of the Zebco "TAT" action crappie rods, and I was struck by how LIGHT the tip is. Of course the rod is far inferior to what we can build custom, and I suspect it is largely fiberglass, but the tip was as small as anything I have ever seen. I haven't measured it, but I've built on numerous blanks with a 3.5 tip and this looks smaller than those. It
Forum: rodboard

Would you say the tip is softer than my IP840? I just finished the rod and haven't been able to fish it yet, but it seems like a very light rod and soft in the tip.
Forum: rodboard

I noticed in another post that Schneider's builds the RDR70L for panfish. I always thought of downrigger rods has heavy, but to be honest I've never held one. What's the difference in a downrigger rod and a popping rod?
Forum: rodboard

I use PG a lot because I like the hard, light, clear finish. But I always seems to get a finish that is a bit wavy, sort of like brush strokes. As to number of coats, and maybe this has to do with how thinly I apply it, I routinely use 5 or 6 coats to get a complete finish. If I want a heavier glassy finish, I use epoxy. But on light blanks where I want maximum performance, I use PG.
Forum: rodboard

General question - does the 27x rule become less significant as line weight goes down? In other words, will the location of the first guide and the choker (being related to one another in NGC) not matter as much if you are using a limp 4lb mono or 4-6lb braid?
Forum: rodboard

I did that exact thing with an Amtak Matrix AMF908-4, which CC'd around ERN of 10 and AA of 70. I use it to cast bass lures sometimes and to flip out light stuff in the surf. I would say it works very well with things in the 1/2 ounce range. You are correct that it is not as fast as a spinning blank, but it works well for what I built it to be.
Forum: rodboard

Is there any reason to use a floro leader/line, or will braid and hi-vis line give me just as many strikes?
Forum: rodboard

Do what Tom says. I have a 5'4" UL set up NGC and I used BYAG20, BYAG10 and BLAG4s out to the tip.
Forum: rodboard

How small do they go?
Forum: rodboard

The BLAG will work just like any other Alconite guide with braid. That's what I use. I'm unclear on why you are using that guide setup. Is this casting or spinning?
Forum: rodboard

Thanks Tom. Why is it the favorite blanks that don't get made anymore!
Forum: rodboard

FYI, for comparisons sake I just CCd a Forecast SP600 which I extended to 64". At 1/3 deflection I found AA = 65; ERN = 4. I would love to find something slightly faster (the faster the better) and very slightly more powerful. I'll submit the data for others' future reference as well.
Forum: rodboard

I saw where Steve Kartalia CCd one of the old models, but was wondering if anybody has data on one of the new ones. I'm actually probably looking more at the SP720 which is the RX6 version. I'm also thinking 1pc if that make a difference. The rod will be used for trout and bream.
Forum: rodboard

I would think that some of the Batson fly blanks in RX6 or RX7 would do what you need. I agree with Mo that just the guides and whip of the blank should enable you to cast light stuff, at least as far as you'll be able to cast something that light.
Forum: rodboard

Given the feedback I'm getting, and the more I think about it, the 16 is probably not worth it for such a small weight savings so far down on the rod. I will probably stick with my standard BYAG20, 10; BLAG4s out to the end. If I knew I would never use anything other than tiny braid then maybe I would go smaller, but I like being able to use mono if I want to.
Forum: rodboard

Assuming guide height is what it needs to be, does anybody use a BYAG16 or even a 12 for a first guide. I'm using a Shimano 750 symetre and a soft 4lb mono. I might occassionally use a 6lb line butt I'm more conerned to push the envelope with light line performance. Running guides will by BLAG4s.
Forum: rodboard

I would think you would want a steelhead blank set up NGC for a reel in the Shimano 2500 to 4000 range. I have a Forecast SH1084 that would probably so what you are wanting to do.
Forum: rodboard

I also often locate my guides on multi-piece blanks such that guide wraps double as ferrule wraps.
Forum: rodboard

That's good info to know.
Forum: rodboard

So you just don't worry at all about the line touching the blank as it passes from top to bottom? That has never created problem for a rod as far as you know? Because if there is no point in putting one there I'll start saving myself the fuss and trouble?
Forum: rodboard

Tom, For you personally, when doing spiral wraps, do you use a guide at 0, approximately 90 and 180; do you do just 0 and 180; or do you go straight from the reel to 180? I'm trying to envision how the master works.
Forum: rodboard

So Tom, are you saying no guide at all between 0deg and 180deg.
Forum: rodboard

I would use one guide myself, but using two you can make the line pass no more than a hair's width from the blank if that's important to you. Tom, am I to understand from your post that you no long use any transition guides? If so, do you do that for both light and heavy rods?
Forum: rodboard

With braid as small as you are talking about using, I think the 4 will be fine. I would use a 7 as the transition guide given that the 7 (at lease in the alconite) has the ring right against the blank as opposed to the 8 which has some height to the leg, which means the line must move farther out to the side. Also, on that 66MLF that you are building, the butt is pretty firm so I doubt the line
Forum: rodboard

I want something 6'6" to 7', light and fast. Not a noodle but fun with the smaller panfish.
Forum: rodboard

I'll apply TK's recommendation to my next build! To Mo's question about abrupt step down, I never use more than 2 guides to make the transiton on my freshwater rods, but I build lighter freshwater rods. If I ever step past 1/2 ounce for so on lures then I go to baitcasting.
Forum: rodboard

I confess, and I would be curious to hear Tom's thought on this, that I often use a size 5 as the first running guide, even thought the rest of the running guides are 4s. The 4 just seems so small and I fear that any remaining coiling of the line will result in friction. I don't do this on my "teeny braid" rods but I do on those that might use 6lb mono. On a different note, with UL r
Forum: rodboard