Looking For Blank Advice

[clKiekhafer]

Hi All,

I've been building rods for about one year now and my oldest grandson (7) has really shown an interest in fishing. He would spend hours at the lake casting his rod off the dock in the evenings. Well this time up north he asked me to make him a fishing rod for his next birthday. How can you say no to that? He was using a spinning rod off the dock and doing quite well with it. He picked up the technique very quickly. When he would go out with his Dad or myself we would troll and then he used a spin cast rod. The reel kinda suck, but other than that he did pretty good.

So my question to everyone is what blank should I use for his rod? I'm looking for recommendations for both spinning and casting.

Thanks

[unfrozen]

When I build a rod for children, mine included, I almost always build on a Batson SB722. It's a good all around rod.

If the kids are a little hard on the equipment then a great choice would be a Batson SPG783. You could cut it down to 6' if 6'6" is to long. It's going to be a little "whippier" than the SB722 but it would be a fun dock rod.

These blanks would work fine for either spinning or spin casting. The rod doesn't care what kind of reel you use.

Good luck with the build!

[clKiekhafer]

Thanks Chad,

I was looking at those same choices and I appreciate your comments.

I'll be seeing you at the BYOB in two weeks. I see that you're on the agenda as a presenter, I'm not taking your seminar, too many choices and not enough time.

[Brad B]

Another good Batson blank is the spg601. The only thing is it is 5 feet long. I made my self a rod out of one of these and it worked great for short distances off of docks or in confined areas(ie : brushy areas on shore). This rod has since been given to a co workers special needs daughter. It was the perfect size for her and she is getting enjoyment from it, so I couldn't be happier. I plan to rebuild another one but this time I am going to put on a red cedar handle instead of the EVA foam handle.

[Billy 40]

I'd wait and see what I could pick up from the St Croix factory, everyone I spoke to when I was in Iowa in October told me the blank and component sales are INSANE.