Apple for apples and throwing a Gotcha-plug is about getting distance and speed of retrieve. Neither of which is even a consideration when fishing musky type spinnerbaits, bucktails and twitch baits. The application of a "spinning" type set-up is not sound. In reality you spend 10 hours throwing and receiving heavier type baits that produce a lot of drag to hopefully hook up and catch
Forum: rodboard

That’s what I was thinking. I need to hookem before you can catchem. I was thinking regular guide placement because most of the time the rod will be tip down, retrieving the bait. I would think this would get me best sensitivity feeling the blades and weed pick ups.
Forum: rodboard

The question is do I spiral wrap or not? I am leaning on not. The rod will be built using a NFC backbounce blank. I will be fishing mostly bucktails, spinnerbaits and stickbaits. Most of the time the tip will be down. Does it make sense to spiral wrap it? Appreciate your opinions.
Forum: rodboard

Could it be an old fen glass blank? Classic, built a bunch of them with i was a kid.
Forum: rodboard

A light spinning jig is not the same as a light steelhead or live bait rod blank, either.
Forum: rodboard

Justin, where are you located? Sounds like the same questions I had asked. I have made five spiral wraps this past year and all were for walleye fishing,casting rippin raps, trolling plugs, harnesses, bottom bouncing and rigging. I have three more on deck and I am looking at up grading all my trolling (walleye and salmon) rods. I think I Found the right blank finally. Very happy with the perform
Forum: rodboard

Where are the ice rods?
Forum: rodboard

That is a great blank for what you are looking at doing, I wouldn't change a thing. Don't use a standard steelhead handle. The handle will be the key for you. Make one that fits from your fore arm to your palm of your hand. Also, if you use planner boards, it is the best. Look into spiral wrapping the guides. I am building three very similar right now using NFC blanks.
Forum: rodboard

I use that blank for that exact purpose. Great tool for the job.
Forum: rodboard

It would be a shame to cut the blank down. What type of fishing do you do or what species. I have always liked the Extra Fast rods and Gary Loomis is the man when it comes to this rod action. That rod action has found its way into a lot of different fishing situations. Get the rod in your hand and let your mind wonder about the possibilities. I picked up 5 and wanted a couple of the one you have
Forum: rodboard

Sent email other day and haven’t heard back. ????
Forum: rodboard

Went to their site this morning and it is not available. I know they just moved, I hope everything is OK.
Forum: rodboard

How are you staring the rod? Is it possible the blank could have been nicked in a rod locker? Know the blank well, probably the best overall blank made. Good Luck, Doug Ps. I am sure St. Croix will help.
Forum: rodboard

Hey everyone, Looking for a blank for fishing with a dipsey diver for salmon on the Great Lakes. Right now I am using a 9'6" Shimano Talora, medium fast, medium heavy and I will be using 50# braid. I build rods because I like to fish with lures, flies, rods, whatever I can make or make better. That being said, these rods don't need to be sensitive, they don't necessarily need to be
Forum: rodboard

Well this is what I tried. Tried just reapplying finish, no go. Used stiff brush and removed as much finish as possible. When I was able to remove majority of Part A, exposing the threads and let sit, I reapplied correctly mixed finish, this worked. i tried the coffee filter with DA and it worked if I was able to get enough Part a off. The guides I didn't screw around with. Cut the thread,
Forum: rodboard

Lynn, One of my favorites and what I think is the best all-around freshwater blanks is the S369MLXF by St. Croix, about $90. Ken, I like color in builds too. Hard for me to build without a neon thread. I am enjoying the responses.
Forum: rodboard

After my long post about blanks, now I have messed up. On one of my experimental projects I have messed up my best wrap job ever. The finish on some of the wraps is wet, not tacky, wet. I mixed two batches as one was not enough. The second batch is fine. I am using Flexcoat lite build. I learned way back about not mixing thoroughly or not getting the right ratio but, those typical
Forum: rodboard

The way my brain works, I like to make everything mathematical. But, the more I get into building rods, the more it "feels" like art. I am not talking about decorative wraps, inlays and alike, that is no doubt art. I am talking about picking out the right blank for the right application or fisherman. Ratings of power depend often on saltwater or freshwater. Action is usually consisten
Forum: rodboard

Double surgeons doesn't hold either, by itself. I tied a overhand knot in the line and it slid till it got to the knot. Nanofil is slick.
Forum: rodboard

As of lately I have been using Berkley's Nanofil, 8-10 pound. No wax and very slick. Knots don't hold under a lot of pressure. Double tie the ends and play around with different knots. I am using old used line.
Forum: rodboard

Jason, Let me know what you end up doing. I am trying something new this year but, afraid it maybe TOO LIGHT. Go light on components ti help. Good luck, Doug
Forum: rodboard

I have experience with giant great lakes smallies and all the St. Croix blanks mentioned so far. First of all the, The MHX panfish blanks won't do what you are looking to do. I have built using most of them.. St. Croix still makes the Float and Fly rod. It is a 8' blank in the Avid series. The float and fly blank is made for "float with a light jig" not casting a light jig alon
Forum: rodboard

This is for a technique called long rodding. It is for hole hopping. They don"t sit down, always standing. The guys fishing these type of rods say they are very sensitive. The line is protected from the wind. They are fishing less than 10 feet of water. Basically as deep as they can set the hook and lift straight up without reeling. They are covering water. There is no concern for freezing
Forum: rodboard

I am looking to build an in-line ice fishing rod with and without using a spring bobber. Does anybody know of any in-line tip tops out there for rod with 4-5.5 rod tips. Or what can be used? Or is it not needed. Thanks, Doug
Forum: rodboard

First, I think the rod you are looking at is too heavy. I have St Croix 6'3"mlxf and mxf and I have the 6'9" mlxf. I would be going wth the 6'9" mlxf. This blank (rod) might be the best blank they ever built. I use that rod for casting 1/4oz. jigs and small cranks for walleyes and smallmouth. There is a big difference from1/8oz-1/4oz jigs. I use two different rods for these two jig
Forum: rodboard

looking for a telescoping handle like a flipping stick.
Forum: rodboard

I am looking for a couple of blanks. 1. 8.5'-9.5' telescopic handle, fast-extra fast, medium, around 12 pound line, using for trolling walleye, steelhead, hot shot, casting reel 2. 9'-11' 2 piece, fast-extra fast, ultra light-light, spinning real, 1-6 pound, for panfish mainly, $120 or below. I have found a couple for the panfish but, nothing on the other. Wondering what else might be out
Forum: rodboard

I am going to build a set (3 starboard, 3 port) rods for trolling. I am looking to build using the spiral guide placement system. The rods will be for trolling for walleye, coho, steelhead, etc.... Sometimes pulling planer boards, other times behind skis. the blanks will be something like medium power, fast or extra fast action, 12-14 pound, most likely mono. Does the spiral placement make
Forum: rodboard

Look at the extreme taper blanks. They will give you great versatility. They are very good quality.
Forum: rodboard

Send me a picture of what you are looking to have prainted. Might be able to do something for. I am in Green Bay. captainpaddlefoot@me.com Doug
Forum: rodboard