George, If you cast with two hands 3" lenght of the butt grip is the right size.I have building many spinning rods( 9'-12') with split grip using 3" butt grip and for me is the most comfortable size for casting with two hands. Jean
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Robert, I built many spinning rod using ALL STAR AUSTIN fly blank 9' w4,w5,w8 +extension.The problem is you can't find ALL STAR AUSTIN(TITANIUM) blank now,If you find some 9'w5 ALL STAR AUSTIN you can build one very nice rod using SIC match guides ,model "M" from PACIFIC BAY. With the rod built an W5 ALL STAR AUSTIN i was able to catch 40lb. fish with FIRELINE 4LB.+4lb.SEAGUAR CARB
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I build one spinning rod using RAINSHADOW XST1263F blank and i like this rod better comparative with ST.CROIX AVID or WILDRIVER. Jean Scurtu
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I build one spinning rod using RAINSHADOW XST1263F blank and i like this rod better comparative with ST.CROIX AVID or WILDRIVER. Jean Scurtu
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I build one spinning rod using RAINSHADOW XST1263F blank and i like this rod better comparative with ST.CROIX AVID or WILDRIVER. Jean Scurtu
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Scott, If you use braid +fluorocarbon leader you don't have twist problem.I build many spinning rod 9'-16' using micro guides model "M",and fishing with FIRELINE 4lb. smoke+fluorocarbon leader i never have problem. In the same time maybe your reel is not the best reel,or the line is not soft enough. Jean
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I agree again with Tom and for the same reason on my spinning rods i put the tread to the front,but instead of spinning reel seat i use blank exposed baitcasting reel seat (after i cut the trigger). This reel seat fit more easy on the blank in the right place,so i don't need to use arbor ,just to glue the reel seat.
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I agree with Tom about sensivity (1 piece,2-5 piece rods). I fish 95% with jig using long rod 9'-16' rods .I build myself many spinning rods using fly rod and steelhead blanks 2-5 piece.Fishing an the bank i never saw anothers fishermans catching with jig more fish because of fishing with 1 piece rod.Usual i catch more fish with my longs rods and this is not possible if my rod is not so sensit
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I fish with longer rod ,over 10' build by me on fly fhishing blanks(ALL STAR AUSTIN,G.LOOMIS IMX,,ST.CROIX LEGEND ULTRA ,AVID,LAMIGLAS G1000 etc.) W4-11W . Using FIRELINE 4lb.+4lb. fluorocarbon leader i 've been catching fish over 40lb.with rod build on ALL STAR AUSTIN W5 .For this rods i was using SIC MATCH GUIDES MODEL "M" If you choose the right blank you have enough backbone to
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If you build spinning rod ,for your rod the best guide are match guides model"M"
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I build many spinning rods using micro giudes (match guides model"M" SIC )and i never have any problem.
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Mo, Damyl Tectan is one of the best mono line( i was fishing with this line 25 years ago in European fishing tournament).The only problem is memory of this line. When i hook big fish all the time i swich the antirevers from " on" to "of" and rewind giving line ,so i can catch huge fish with thiny line.
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If you want another small ,lite reel with very good drag ,try ABU CARDINAL STAMINA DRAG 600U.This reel was $60 ,now maybe you can find with $25,but is not easy to find. I was catching with this ultralite reel(fresh water reel) using FIRELINE 4LB.+14LB. fluorocarbon leader ,one 23 1/2lb.red fish and many flounders,speckled trout. ABU CARDINAL STAMINA DRAG 600U is nice reel but never have the sa
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Mo, I build many spinning rods using match SIC guides model"M"on fly blanks w4-w10 and i have no problem casting lures 1/16-1/32oz..This match guides don't reduce the casting distance. DAIWA 500 is not the best reel for lite fishing because the spool is to deep and narrow.Better is DAIWA SS TOURNAMENT 700. I fish just with braid (FIRELINE 4LB.,POWER PRO 5-8LB.,SPIDERWIRE STEALTH
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Look in the left side "The rod shop"and ask Mark to tell you the best blank for float rod!!!
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I use this guides model "M" for over 10 years without problem in fresh and salt water. Jean
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I have many rods build on fly blank(w4-w9) using model "M'guides and never have problems,super rods. Jean
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Tom, You right again,but i am from Europe and all my life i was fishing with long rod and i know the advantage of longer rods. Regards, Jean
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I agree with Tom Kirkman,the long rods are more sensitive. I fish 100 % on the bank and 99% with jig,so i fish with 9'-16' rods using spinning reels and braid(FIRELINE 4LB.,SPIDERWIRE STEALTH 6LB.,SPIDERWIRE ULTRACAST 10LB.)+fluorocarbon leader. I fish with so long rod for better sensivity and because i need to cast long distance and to set the hook in right time.In the same time the long rod h
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I know Bill Batson,is not a just great guy ,is in the same time very good fisherman and very friendly. Jean Scurtu
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I have build some spinning rods on fly blanks and i can tell you with one rod build on AMTAK fly blank 9' W8 and another build on Shikari II 9' W8 i can cast without problem 1oz..The same with another rod build on ST. CROIX SCIII(AVID) 9' W9. MODEL 3F909. I can't tell you what pound test line because i use FIRELINE 4LB.,,POWER PRO 5LB.,SPIDERWIRE STEALTH 6LB.,SPIDER WIRE ULTRACAST 6LB. and SPID
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I have building many spinning rod on fly blak.
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I have building many spinning rod on fly blak.
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HARRISON INTERCEPTOR 11' super blank,medium fast.and powerfull. Look at "THE ROD SHOP"(sponsors on the left side of this site) Jean Scurtu
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The noodle rod blank is not good for this fishing ,but if you build spinning rod on fly blank 9' W7-W8 your customer can be happy. I fish for speckled trout,red fish ,flounder with one rod build by me on ALL STAR AUSTIN 9'W8 blank catching and 9lb. trout on jig with FIRELINE 4lb. +fluorocarbon leader.I can say is very good rod. Jean
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Andrei, Te framanti degeaba,chiar daca nu finisezi talpile inelelor nu ai probleme.Foloseste niste fasii taiate din "masking tape"cu care fixezi provizoriu inelul pe blank (cat mai aproape de piciorul inelului),matisezi fara a tensiona tare ata de matisaj pana aproape de fasia de "masking tape",scoti aceasta si finisezi matisajul. Daca inelul nu e pozitionat pe linie,poti
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Please take Andy advise,because i can tell you CTS are super blanks,light very sensitive and powerful.When not many fishermens knowing about CTS blank,i was lucky to receive two CTS blanks(one spinning ,one fly) from Andy and i am very happy with this blanks. If i need some good blank i ask first Andy (all the time i receive the best advise). Andy, thank you for your help!!! Jean Scurtu
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Jan, Please take Mark adivise,because know better how is the Zander fishing in Germany and Europe.Mark was one of the best fishermen in Germany before came to U.S.A.!!! I am from Europe to , i fish on the bank for a white bass,red fish ,speckled trou,flounder etc. around Houston(sorry no walley in Texas) and i am very happy because i take Mark advise and buy from him one HARRISON INTERCEPTO
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Paul, The only reason i don't like FLEXILITE guide is because remember me when i was young and i build myself this tiype of guides from steel wire.....i don't like for the same reason and price RECOIL guides. I can't say this guides is not good,but for my rod ,fishing 100% with braid,i still using match SIC guides model "M".I have building rods on fly blanks W3,W4,W5 ,W6,W8(ALL STAR
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Paul, If you try to fish with 0.3g.-0.5g.(0.01oz.--0.0176oz.) float and 0,10mm.(0.0039 inch) line you can see what is hapening in wet days if you don't have match guide with long leg,or double number of regular match guides. You can't cast because the wet line stick on the wet blank.I was fishing a lot in Europe with long match rod(10'-29'!!!) and i know what i say. Around Houston i fish
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