Hi Joe, The blank is a SJ782-2-MHX. The specs are two-piece, 6'6" 6-12 line, fast action +medium light. The listed uses include twitch baits, rattle baits, drop shot and live bait. I'll be using it out of a Poke Boat (a canoe/kayak hybrid) or when wading. Also thanks for the advice about the reels. I was considering the 2011 Curado 50e - always been a Shimano fan - but it looks as th
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Hello all, I am putting together a finesse casting rod for stream smallmouth and cannot decide between Minima or Fuji Alconite micro guides. I would be using a 6'6" rod with 8-10 pound mono, and casting small spinner baits and minnow crank-baits. I usually use the Fuji guides and haven't tried the Minimas yet (but have read a lot of good reviews). Does one guide style work better for
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Thanks for all of the input so far. Tom.
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Hello all, I am looking to build a nymphing rod for great lakes steelhead. I would build it as a single hand rod and it won't be used for anything more than roll-casting. My two leading candidates are: 1) Rainshadow 10 foot 7 weight IM6 blank. 2) Pacific Bay Quickline 11 foot 7 weight switch rod blank. Any input regarding these choices would be appreciated. thanks, Tom.
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Does the rod length make any difference? I noticed Eugene suggested one under nine feet, are there any advantages to having a shorter or longer rod or is it personal preference?
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Hello all. I am looking for a fly rod blank for streamer fishing for smallmouth bass (max size about 2-3 pounds). What do you look for in a streamer rod? Do you have any preferences in terms of line weight, length or action? thanks, Tom.
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Yes, i see what you mean. Without a standardized definition of rod actions then the CCS numbers are the best way to describe the characteristics of a rod blank. I was hoping there were some benchmarks out there to compare CCS data against but i can now understand how difficult they would be to establish. thanks, Tom.
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Thanks, that makes sense. So I guess technically you could set your own "baseline" definition for a blank actions by doing the measurements on an existing blank and using it as a guide for comparison for future projects? That way the relative relationship is grounded in that you have a frame of reference for comparison for any CCS data (albeit one which is very individual in nature).
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I have been reading about CCS Deflection and had a question in terms of baseline numbers. More specifically, can any of the figures such as the Action Angle be matched up to a rod action or are they all relative measurements? For example could a blank with an AA rating of 70 be considered a medium fast action or is the figure rather a relative measurement. In this case the blank is faster than
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Hello all, Thanks for all the information. Lots of food for thought! best, Tom.
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Thanks for the input. If not Alconites, what size Minimas would be recommended? Thanks for the advice, I'm still new to building fly rods. Tom.
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Hello all, A friend has asked me to build him a 6 weight with alconite guides but i'm not sure which size would work best. Does anyone know what would be the smallest size running guides you could use with 6 weight, weight forward line? thanks, Tom.
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Thanks for the input. I was wondering if it was a marketing thing. In some cases the rods a little lighter in physical weight than other blanks which are similar length/line weights. No mention though on how the action would be different.
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I noticed that a few companies are now offering rod blanks designed specifically for czech nymphing (e.g. Pacific Bay, Hook and Hackle). Has anyone tried one or knows what makes these blanks different from other blanks? thanks, Tom.
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Thanks for all the input. In light of the suggestions, i'll change the guide set-up and will switch to a size 10 for a stripper guide and try the single foot wire guides, In retrospect that makes sense. As Phil points out, I am basically lobbing an indicator and am trying to keep the weight low. Could anyone let me know the smallest size single foot wire guides to use? I'm not very fami
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Hello all, I would like to build a 9 foot four weight and was planning on using Fuji Alconites for the guides. Not sure if this matters for the guide sequence but the rod would be used 90% of the time for nymph fishing with an indicator. What I was thinking of was the following: SV 16, SV 10 Blag 6 Blag 4.5 for the rest. Does this sound about right? Any alternative suggestions wou
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Thank you for all the input. The suggestions on how to balance the rod are also very helpful as i don't have a wide variety of reels to choose from at the moment and am planning on building a new rod for spring trout fishing. best, Tom.
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I have been reading through some of old posts on rod balance and a question came to mind about the rod/reel relationship. Does have any suggested fly reel weight (mass) for certain length fly rods? For example, i have a 6 weight fly rod and a 5/6 reel. Although the combination is theoretically "matched", because the reel is relatively lightweight the rod feels tip heavy and it is
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Thank you for the suggestions. I'll tale a close look at both blanks mentioned. Tom.
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Hello, I am looking for blank suggestions for a 10 foot 4 or 5 weight with a medium action which was light weight and which wouldn't break the bank. The blank can be 2 piece as well. Any input would be welcome. thanks, Tom.
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Hello all, Has anyone used the Fuji IPSM casting reel seat/handle? I can only find it in a size 16. Does anyone know if it comes in any other sizes, or does the 16 work for the average baitcasting reel? thanks, Tom.
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If so I was curious as to what action the blank is and how it performs? thanks, Tom.
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Thanks for all of the replies. I am building my "dream" trout rod, what I have always wanted as a teenager. I am using a 8 foot fast action four weight blank, a cork handle with sliding rings and now the small guides. I hope to keep the whole outfit as light as possible. thanks again, Tom.
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Thanks for the input. I was curious what tip tops do you use, the alconites that I have seen only go down to a size 6 top? thanks, Tom.
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Hello all, Does anyone use the size 4 alconite concept fly guides? I was considering them for an ultra light rod but usually use size 6s. Any input would be appreciated. thanks, Tom
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Hello all. Does anyone know what is the action of these fly rod blanks? I looked around the Baston site and couldn't find them. thanks, Tom.
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Hello all, I would like to try an experiment but am looking for some feedback before I start. I would like to build a light or medium light action float rod but set it up as a spiral wrap baitcasting rod. I was thinking about using either a 9'6-10"" fast action flyrod blank or a 10'6" steelhead blank. Here are my concerns: 1) Which blank do you think would work best, a fast acti
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Thanks for the suggestions. I reviewed the "Rod Building Guide" but there were no distances given. I had forgotten about the library which was perfect. thanks again, Tom.
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Hello all. I was curious as to if there was a recommended distance for the space between the reel and the first guide for a spinning rod? This would be for a ten foot steelhead rod. thanks, Tom.
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Thanks Spencer, I will try to get in touch with Danny. Tom.
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