Which rods should a well outfitted musky angler have? What if they can only have 2 or 3 rods? blank suggestions appreciated.
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great advice from all and good food for thought. The rod will be used for day time spring fishing but it helps to think about the other possible scenarios. thanks
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Thanks for Dan for hosting and Billy for presenting Alex Dziengielewski from AIX and Hydra for loading us up with kigan guides, grips and hookkeepers And everyone else for sharing their knowledge Had a great time Jay
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what is your standard size for running guides & tiptop for a slip bobber rod? 6-8lb mono spinning rod thanks Jay
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Got the back issue on order and have read the Riley directions. From previous posts, it seems a lot of folks have tried tweaks to the process. Trying to figure out if any of those are now considered the state of the art.
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From the posts on the forum since the original articles and the Riley directions were published it looks like the current state of the art process for wetting out the skin for the cable tie method is: 1) start with a sanded, clean, but unsealed core 2) install the skin dry. Do not put a coat of epoxy on the core before installing the skin 3) install cable ties 4) coat with epoxy 5) spin on
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thanks every one. couple of follow up q's. Is the main problem with wrap epoxy the yellowing or are there other reasons it's sub-optimal? If I go that route, should I use the same for the coats after the sleeve is on or shift to another product like spar urethane?
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I want to try building 1-2 foam core grips and only want to buy a small amount of epoxy for the sleeves. What do you recommend? thx Jay
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Can't thank Dan enough for hosting. Was good to see everyone again (and meet new folks too) Jay
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The bottom half of a 2 piece rod broke about an 1/8 of an inch below where the ferrule ends when the rod is assembled. If I put an over sleeve on it, it doesn't extend far enough to add any support or I make it too long that the rod won't hold together in the ferrule. any ideas? Thanks Jay
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I did one on a 9ft 8 weight and another on a 9ft 7 weight 4 piece fly blank. I always found kingfish in the surf not on the backside of the breakers. I always travel to the surf. I wanted the longer rod in case some blues or rockfish swam by on the far side of the breakers and I had to get over the top of them. The 8 weight will easily cast a 3/4 oz spoon. the fly rod blanks combined with ligh
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thanks for this. I kinda want to buy them all now :)
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Looking for a blank for walleye fishing. Will build as a spinning rod for boat fishing tossing light jigs 1/16-1/4 tipped with leeches, crawlers or minnow. Idea is to anchor and cast up to the weed line. need decent distance, rod soft enough to keep the bait on, ability to feel walleye bite and enough backbone to set a hook. Any recommendations? Thanks for your help Jay
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looks like most of the charters recommend 8-10lb so say 8lb mono or 10-20 braid if I build it spinning. Will go 20-30lb braid if I build casting. Thx
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Can any one recommend a blank? We'll be fishing from a charter. I think they mostly throw bait tipped 1/2-3/4oz jigs but have never fished this area and don't really now the style so if you think I've got it all wrong, pls let me know. Thx Jay
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Are you guys using them with braid or mono? do you like them with braid? thx Jay
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Is there a standard size graphite seat size that will be safe to hold most 12 wt reels? does any one make a graphite seat that works well with a removable fighting butt? thx Jay
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you might try black or a gray
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I think I asked this question the wrong way in a previous post. My main question is - what guides should I put on a 12 weight fly blank I want to build for tarpon/sails/general salt travel? I will use 40lb powerpro for backing. I do not know knot size, reel size, etc. I would prefer to go single foot if you think it makes sense. Should I use single foot wire guides & if so what size? T
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Russell - When it comes to 20lb powerpro, I'm like the man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail to me. I put 20 lb powerpro on pretty much everything except 1 of my walleye rods which gets 6lb line and maybe sometimes 4lb for a crappie rod. Seriously though, a shimano 4000 size reel on this with 20lb braid would probably make a good chicago area pier rod for throwing 1/2 oz spoons to c
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Can any one recommend guides for a batson rfx 9012-3 12 wt fly rod? this will be set up as a general purpose saltwater fly rod. tarpon, sails, roosterfish. I live in chicago and this is a build I have no clue on. not sure how big the knots will be or reel size. thx
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thank you all...very helpful. as always
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not sure if appropriate to ask here but since several of you have mentioned these reels & pflueger can't answer... which size reels are good for bonefish. looking for best choice for a 6 wt and an 8wt each with 150-200 yds of powerpro 40lb backing. thx and apols if this is off topic. Jay
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I bought one of these seats for a batson ic847-3 to be built as a spinning rod. 12-25 line. plan to use it with a 4000 size shimano reel. Is this too light a seat for a general inshore reel seat? Without arbors it has a little flex at the ends. Also, it is labeled size 20 inside diameter but I measure it at over 21 (size 20 arbors fall right thru) is this typical in sizing for these seats?
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Anyone have the directions for how to grind the back of the bit? how did it work out for you? thx Jay
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Any one build this as a general inshore travel spinning rod? If so, what guides did you use? I'm assuming you pair it with about a 4000 size reel. Is that about right? 6's or 7's for the running guides to pass knots? Thx Jay
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Learned a lot, met great people and was fed like a king Thanks for doing this Dan!
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If you don't care if the rings separate can you still salvage the rings themselves?
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I did a couple on the batson fly blanks. one an 8wt and 1 a 9 wt. They work pretty well but a little slow if you're looking for a hot shot type blank.
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I made a couple out of the batson ip907 and ip908 4 piece fly blanks. these rods are a little light for the purpose though. In the chicago area guys throw 1/2 oz spoons for coho and 3/4 oz for kings (it's king season now) a stiffer/faster rod would be better for those 3/4 oz spoons. Same applies for bigger crankbaits which we also use for the salmon. the fly rods are good once the fish is
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