Rod blanks

[Carpenter]

Where/who do you guys get your rod blanks from? I'm just a hobbyist, don't have a business/tax id, but would like to save on St Croix blanks. Any suggestions are appreciated.

[unfrozen]

Without question the best place to get St. Croix blanks at a steep discount is to attend the Custom Rod Builders Guild North Central Regional gathering at the St. Croix factory in Park Falls, WI. This year it's being held on Aug. 13 - 15.

They have many blanks available at great prices. Last summer I purchased a 4 wt. SCV fly rod blank for $30.

While that doesn't help you right now it is something to consider this coming summer.

[18 inch Crappie]

Find out what blank you want and search the web for best pricing, Mud Hole, Jans netcraft and Thorn Bros here in the city can help you. good Luck

[Willow Sticks]

try Anglers Workshop.

[Carpenter]

Thanks all.

Chad, I've participated in the guild, done the byob and spent a ton on the blank feeding frenzy. Very good time and would like to do it again. Might see if i can get a kitchen pass...

[TK Tack]

I've used the rainshadow blanks in the past, seem to be nice for the money. I believe Thorne Bros also uses them.

[clKiekhafer]

St Croix has a pricing policy that makes their distributors sell at MSRP or risk loosing the business. There are times throughout the year that they will be on clearance like at of model year and they need to liquidate the inventory before the new ones hit the door. They could be as much as or more then 25% off. If you don't believe that someone could loose the privileged of selling them look at Reed's. They had St. Croix rods at one time, St. Croix stopped in saw the pricing and bought everyone back and they have not sold any since.

Chad is right about the pricing at the regional meeting in Park Falls. I bought a 9' 2-piece musky blank for $30. Now you have to remember these are not first run blanks as I understand it and there is no warranty. You really don't know what is wrong with them, but my impression is St. Croix wouldn't want to make the custom rod builders upset with inferior products so I think the rods are structurally sound, but there could be some cosmetic flaws.