An article on surf rod construction like the one in RodMaker magazine back issue Vol. #7 Iss. #1 would I think be the best source of info for you. It's to the left at the RM magazine site, cheap assurance that your getting the best rod for your time and money.
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You won't have any piling, at least my Curado 201s have never done that in all the time I've had them.
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I think Tom told us maybe two months ago that all but the most back issues are now in the hands of another party that you must use to get something that far back. Don't remember a post saying who or where.
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If your going to spend that much I look the Anglers Workshop wood wrapper with felt. Looks like a better value and they are very nice looking. They don't take up much room to store and handle a good range of rod lengths.
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I wouldn't recommend a chart, if you want the best performing rod. Read the guide placement article in the library. Also if you haven't already bought the guides you can use a smaller size 6 on your rod with no problem and get to the little guides as fast as you can. Give us a chance and we'll change your whole rod for you. LOL.
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Another way to go with spinning/casting grips is to go with a fancy wood buttcap like the ones at Inserts By Les to the left. Doesn't take much room to make a nice grip, split grips can be turned on a drill bit in your drill, little more than a foot of room needed. My first grips were all done by hand on Coast Guard boats, just needed some files and sandpaper. They look good still. You just got t
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Angler's Workshop had some grips make with regular cork and alternating bands or varied cork burls on display in the shop for sale.
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Am Tack's guides, except the Titans, are the same height as the Forecast, older style Fujis & Pac bay guides. The Titan guides are taller, but not as tall as a Fuji concept like the Alconites, SiC, or Titaniums. The "M" guides from Forecast, Pac Bay, Sevier are taller still for the same size rings. Heavy duty is relative depending on the species and environment. I rarely use single
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Just about eveyone does including Sage. Don't look at the action discriptions, they float all over the place. Look at the line ratings.
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Doc, Mr. Britt at Angler's might have it. He told me he had been talking to them, how I don't know.
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That's where I get mine, it must be a local as American Sports Supply is the distributor, which is Angler's. Good stuff.
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Dan had some problems getting more Sig V blanks, I sent him an email to see what he has left not to long ago. The new FTL blanks last I heard were coming in slowly but surely, the first in were the 3 wts that were so popular in the old Sig III series. They are 5 and 6 piece blanks. I imagine he'll update the catalog when he can.
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The C600X or the B60UL? 5/16 oz will slow them down somewhat. Angler's Workshop has both on sale. BLS1032 is the B60UL and BLS1033 for the C600X. Nice sensitive blanks that are very tough for being high modulus. I can email the prices if you like.
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Paul, A blank is a blank. You can find examples of blanks all over the species/technique spectrum that will fit the criteria for just about anything. It's just a sales ploy and it does help the weekend fisherman in many ways as the good old neighborhood tackle store with knowledgable personnel is a thing of the past. The only problem I see is that now someone is telling your what works for you.
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Rainshadow IP 904, they also make it in an 8 ft model IP964.
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As I said before, I haven't messed with a PSJ702. Just the 662. I can see if I can CC the 7000, 702 and PSJ 662 if it may help. Like I said before the 7000 has an action similar to a St Croix 68MXF just lighter powered. Shouldn' t hard to find one of those in a finished rod near you to give you an idea of what you'll get.
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Narrowing the field would help with specifics, what critter are we going after?
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Lamar Reelseats, BAF 909-2, All Star Austin fly blank. Great blanks that you'll still be using years from now, would be high on my list.
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Skeet, Schneider's had one last time I needed one, might try there.
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I'd go to a few shops, test cast some rods, and build on that blank. St Croix, Lamiglas, G Loomis, Talon, Thomas & Thomas, some Winston, Graphite USA, Shikari, Sage, R B Meiser and C.F. Burkheimer are US blank manufactures found on this site. Also some of the larger shops like Angler's Workshop carry their line of blanks built by one of the above. Really depends on what you you're looking fo
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www.steelheader.net, www.sportfishingbc.com, www. fishsponge.com. There are a huge amount of steelhead fishing sites with info. Just google "steelhead fishing (your state)" and you should get lots of local techniques and other info.
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I too thought some of the "old" SC IV were similar, haven't fished a new one. My son fishes a 9 ft 7wt and 9 ft 5 wt Austin and loves them.
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For your criteria I'd go with the PP 7000 or the PSJ 662 or 702 blanks. The rating on the power are true on the PSJ blanks, exceed 3/8 oz and they really turn into mush. The furthest I've ever seen a 1/4 oz double willowleaf spinnerbait thrown on a casting rod was on one built on the 662, custom, minimalized contruction, with a tricked out Magnesium Diawa reel and 4/10 Fireline. He was just using
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FishSticks4U is probably the closest to you, but there is also Custom Tackle, Scneider's, Bingham's, and Angler's Workshop.
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Rainshadow 1081F or 1082F steelhead blanks will work great. I like the green ones.
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I think Andy at Lamar Fishing may have an Austin 8 ft 6 in 2 piece.
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Here's some stuff off the web. P 7000 blanks for walleye: An extremely fast actioned blank used to fish light-duty spinner rigs and backbouncers. The tip's light enough to throw small jigs and leech/jig combos, but has a powerful butt section. Give's you excellent control whether back-trolling or drifting. One thing I forgot is that this blank is great at throwing and retrieving minnow imitat
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With reels that size a size 20 Alconite is all you need to start with.
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Were you using mono or braided?
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Mo, Also have both, the PP 702 is a joy to fish. Action is much like other 2 power popping rods. Fast actioned but with less backbone lockup than a spin jig blank would have. If you've fished with a nice medium power 8 to 12 or 6 to 12 pound steelhead rod, shrink that blank characteristic down to 7 ft and add a little faster tip and you've got it. Makes a nice bonefish rod, smallmouth rod, bi
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