For that weight range, the Loomis 1448 is hard to beat. The Rainshadow 1418 is great too, but you're at the upper end of the weight range for that rod. The Rainshadow 1508 should fit the bill as well, as would the Lami 150-2MH.
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I'm talking about the 50+ pounders we catch on the east coast. I forgot you were using a unibutt, I always build my 50's blank through. I think the XH would still be fine trimmed from the butt and put in a uni butt though. I have used the XXH trimmed for a short curved unibutt for bluefins and put an 80W on it.
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I use the XXH for bluefin - it's overkill for yellowfin. The XH is perfect in my opinion.
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Take a look at the Rainshadow SW70MH, it's not nearly as big of a rod as the spec's would lead you to believe. An 18 seat will work on this blank and for the 7500. The 7500 will hold a good 300 yds of 17# line. I've used this blank before for big salt water sripers - matched up with the 7500 it would be a sweet combo.
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Cape Fear - the 7' model, either the 16-25 or the 20-30.
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If you want a 6oz rod, get the 1418. The 1266 & 1267 are better at 3-4 oz.
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Go to this site and do some pokeing around. Lots of good info for you.
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I've caught many, many drum on rods with electrical tape on the guides, with the guides on top as well. Duct tape works also, and packaging tape with the threads in it is plenty strong, as is Tommy tape.
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If he likes the Tica the Loomis is very similar. Tommy and Lou pretty much covered the bases.
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If you want the thinnest finish that will fully penetrate, try Aftcote. It's the only thing I use for guide wraps now. It's water thin, releases bubbles better than ANY finish, and it will take abuse from a flame without scorching at all. What I really like about it is that even though it is so very thin, if applied with a spatula you can still do a one coat finish. It's really amazing stuff
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Carbon Fiber is definately different from graphite. Bill, the one I threw I liked very much. Was very lightweight for the power of the blank and casted very well. I think we'll be seeing more of these in the future.
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A friend of a friend just started makeing some carbon fiber surf blanks. I test casted one a couple of months ago and was really impressed. It's based on the Allstar 1509 blank (9' tip section, 4' butt) with similar action and power. Two things really impressed me. They were able to keep the butt diameter small, small enough that a size 22 reel seat will fit (great if you like trigger seats!)
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I thought I was the only one who did that! :) Works great for marbleing effects as well.
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Shrink tube works great for this as well. Sometimes I build it up a little with a layer or two of cork tape first, depending on the size of the blank and the reel seat used. Works great and is easy and durable.
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For 2-4 oz I'll reccomend the Rainshadow SU 1267, it's two piece and 10.5 feet long.
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You been outside much lately? Seen any ticks? I don't want to alarm you, but if the ache's persist, have your doc check for Lymes. Caught early it's easily cured, left undetected it can be severe.
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Just take the tip top off.
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OK - 1_1 and 1_3 are lowriders. 1_2 looks like an MNSG to me. These do not look the same as the guides on the Aspire in the first photo to me.
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The one in the photo is held down with thread and epoxy. However the one I use is taped on.
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It's a plate type surf seat made by Fuji - atleast the one in the pic is. :) Most of the suppliers on the left will have them.
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Yes, & that's my first guess. Second guess is I got a lot of alcohol under the seat somehow during clean up. ???
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They're both essentially female ends, just one's glued and one isn't. Wrap them both.
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I would agree if the excess hadn't set up - but it did.
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Last night I cut off a reel seat that I scratched up. It had been cured for about 2 weeks. I used rod bond and fiberglass mesh tape, so I really wasn't looking forward to takeing it off because I envisioned it being a real chore. Well I made a horizontal cut along the length of the reel seat with my dremal and cut-off wheel, and was then able to easily slip the reel seat from around the rod bl
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Those aren't lowriders on the Aspire. The guides on the tip section are ceramic fly guides, and the others are high frame single foot spin guides. It's a simple concept system, and one that I bet you can set up better than the factory does. Do a search here for "new concept" and there's tons of info.
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Rainshadow SU1266.
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Sort of - not really though. Guess I'll just have to try it and post a pic.
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Anybody ever swirled in some silver or gold on a regular wrap? Been thinking of doing this for a while now.
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I like to use a fuji trigger seat whenever possible. Everybody's got their own likes and dislikes I guess. The triggers have never gotten in the way with me and I spike fish alot. You didn't mention the model # of the rainshadow, if it's a 1087 then a 20 will fit, 1088 will take a 22. I just built one of each a couple of weeks ago - with fuji trigger seats.
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Put less on. Wavy finishes are the result of too much finish applied. Sand it down with a sanding block and put a thin coat over it.
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