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txseadog · 07-14-2006, 10:40 PM

Here are some more blank recommendations for casting/popping rods that I have personal experience with (all are 7' unless noted):

30# (10-13# drag)
* Seeker SD8 - 8' and will cast a long, long way but better for smaller fish.
* Shikari BT7030 - 100% graphite with a nice bend, very light

40#
* Seeker CBJF70 - a little heavy but is often considered on of the best 7' 40# blanks

50#
* Gusa 70 MonMag / United URS-70H-Mega - one of the lightest heavy spinners you will find.
* Seeker CBJF70H - TJ's favorite
* Super Seeker CBJF70H - these seems to have much faster action (think Calstar Graphiter) than the black steel models

60-80# -- you need to be in shape or have a very good technique to use these effectively.
* Gusa Predator / United URS70XXH - light but powerful
* Seeker CBJF70xh - can double as a chunk rod but needs the 4oz poppers to cast well.

General blank observations:
Calstar - typically have the fastest action and can be a little rougher on the angler but are the gold standard IMO having the best compromise of weight, castibility, durability, cost and fish fighting ability.
Seeker - more moderate actions than the Calstars but a generally a little heavier than the calstars.
Gusa/United - are high tech and make the lightest rods of bunch but can be fragile if you don't treat them corectly (no high sticking)

My custom spinning rod recipe:
* blank of choice
* aluminum gimbal
* 12" hypalon rear grip
* reel seats -- use a fuji deluxe 24 for lightness or a aluminum to match a color scheme
* rod ring for using a harness with the 50#+ rods, requires aftco #2 (or comparable) reel seat) -- I suggest getting the 2 piece model so you take it off if you want.
* 10-12" taper hypalon fore grip
* Fuji M-frame guides -- 40,25,16,10,10,10,10,10 + 10 tip (use size 12 on the heavier rods) but let the blank decide if you need 4 or 5 running guides (the 10s or 12s).
Guides - the BMNAG alconites work well but if you spend $500+ on reel you might as well spend the extra $30 a get the MNSG sic guides.

Total cost:
These components will be somewhere in the range of $160-300 retail + $60-150 for the wrapping. You can bank on the final cost being somewhere in the $250-$350 range.

Final thoughts:
Custom rods look expensive when compared to some of the off the shelf rods that major retail chains carry but are close to the price of the factory rods from the blank manufacturers listed here if there is a comparable model. I can assure you once you fish a custom rod that is assembled correctly you will not look back.

**
edit 01/12/07 -- cleaned up a couple of typos and added a little more info

07-14-2006, 10:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
txseadog Administrator Join Date: May 2006 Location: tx Posts: 505	Here are some more blank recommendations for casting/popping rods that I have personal experience with (all are 7' unless noted): 30# (10-13# drag) * Seeker SD8 - 8' and will cast a long, long way but better for smaller fish. * Shikari BT7030 - 100% graphite with a nice bend, very light 40# * Seeker CBJF70 - a little heavy but is often considered on of the best 7' 40# blanks 50# * Gusa 70 MonMag / United URS-70H-Mega - one of the lightest heavy spinners you will find. * Seeker CBJF70H - TJ's favorite * Super Seeker CBJF70H - these seems to have much faster action (think Calstar Graphiter) than the black steel models 60-80# -- you need to be in shape or have a very good technique to use these effectively. * Gusa Predator / United URS70XXH - light but powerful * Seeker CBJF70xh - can double as a chunk rod but needs the 4oz poppers to cast well. General blank observations: Calstar - typically have the fastest action and can be a little rougher on the angler but are the gold standard IMO having the best compromise of weight, castibility, durability, cost and fish fighting ability. Seeker - more moderate actions than the Calstars but a generally a little heavier than the calstars. Gusa/United - are high tech and make the lightest rods of bunch but can be fragile if you don't treat them corectly (no high sticking) My custom spinning rod recipe: * blank of choice * aluminum gimbal * 12" hypalon rear grip * reel seats -- use a fuji deluxe 24 for lightness or a aluminum to match a color scheme * rod ring for using a harness with the 50#+ rods, requires aftco #2 (or comparable) reel seat) -- I suggest getting the 2 piece model so you take it off if you want. * 10-12" taper hypalon fore grip * Fuji M-frame guides -- 40,25,16,10,10,10,10,10 + 10 tip (use size 12 on the heavier rods) but let the blank decide if you need 4 or 5 running guides (the 10s or 12s). Guides - the BMNAG alconites work well but if you spend $500+ on reel you might as well spend the extra $30 a get the MNSG sic guides. Total cost: These components will be somewhere in the range of $160-300 retail + $60-150 for the wrapping. You can bank on the final cost being somewhere in the $250-$350 range. Final thoughts: Custom rods look expensive when compared to some of the off the shelf rods that major retail chains carry but are close to the price of the factory rods from the blank manufacturers listed here if there is a comparable model. I can assure you once you fish a custom rod that is assembled correctly you will not look back. ** edit 01/12/07 -- cleaned up a couple of typos and added a little more info Last edited by txseadog : 01-13-2007 at 11:06 AM.