New rod blanks.

[ksong]

I have one conventional and one spinnig rod from OTI's 7'6" blanks upto 80 lbs. The rod tip section is a little softer than my 8' GUSA Wahoo and a little stiffer than Smith 80P/35. I tested the prototype spinning rod of OTI for tuna upto 80 lbs and the rod has enough backbone and strong enough tip.
For casting, I don't want heavier than OTI's tip section because I have to cast light poppers for tuna.
The butt section can be shared for spinning rod and conventional rod.

[jureal]

Jep, I think that the rod would do fine as either a spinner or conventional. I like the two piece for travel convenience. I have made a number of two piece conventional rods by cutting the Calstar blank and joining with a locking ferrule. However, those locking ferrules are no longer made so I have switched to using a lakeland reelseat with locking ferrule. I always put the ferrule under the foregrip so it really does not show, is low enough on the rod not to affect action. This is very similarly positioned as the blanks by OTI as well as the Smith WRC 80p/35 that Kilsong aluded to. My two piece calstars have taken many trips to Mexico without fault. We need to change your mind about using a Stella on tuna....

[hatidua]

One butt section with both spinning and conventional rods? -I LIKE THAT!!

[lite-liner]

Just what i was thinking!
-B

[tdwcapt]

Originally Posted by xs_tackle

I do not enjoy fighting large fish on spinning tackle; it's just a personal thing. But, I do enjoy casting lures w/a 2-spd Accurate 665H loaded w/80# spectra + topshot. Most of my offshore rods are one-piece construction and built on either Calstar Graphiter or SuperSeeker blanks. How do you think the 2-pc 7.5 ft 80# blank would work out (and hold up) if made into a conventional casting rod? From the pix, I gather this blank has a butt-over-tip joint.

I was wondering the same thing. I have a 2-piece rod built by another company that I fish 40lb on with no problem. And I fish the iron alot with very heavy drag on my Baja Special.

I would like to know how far down into the grip that ferule runs. Can't get set in my old ways. I'd like to look at these new rods.

Nice part about my job is that I work offshore on crewboats and get to fish alot around the rigs.

[jureal]

Originally Posted by Minnow

Hey guys,

I will have another batch of limited run rod blanks.
5 1/2 ft, 600g, 80lb, blank $110
7 1/2 ft, 2-piece ( butt joint), 50 lb $120
7 1/2 ft, 2-piece ( butt joint), 80 lb $130

The 5 1/2 ft is brand new blank, more back bone than the first batch.

Please reserved yours now.

Blank will be available 2nd week of January 2008. 50% deposit required to reserve these blanks
Send check to:
360tackle.com
300 nottingham Drive.
Richardson, TX 75080

Hi TP. Yes I would like to reserve one of each blank. Total of three blanks. I will mail you a check for $180 today. Thanks.

[ksong]

I need one 80 lbs 7 1/2 ft blank.
My popping and jigging rod out of 80 lbs 7 1/2 ft blanks worked great for me on the recent Gulf Eagle trip. I lifted all blackfin tuna using the rods and it took only 2 - 3 minutes to bring 75 lbs tuna within a gaff range.
I am going to build top part of blank for short jigging rod and have longer foregrip with the buttom butt section as I feel the butt sections I have are a little longer rear grips for my taste.

[DeepBlueGulf]

Minnow,

If you still have another 80lb blank available, let me know, as I would like to build one in addition to the 50 I have. Send me a PM if you have one available.

Thanks, and Happy New Year!

Tom - DeepBlueGulf

[jureal]

Hi Kil, could you just have a bit of the butt grip cut to the lenght you want?

[Minnow]

Jureal,
I will keep an eye on the mail box for you check.

Kil,
I will let you know as soon as the blanks come in.

Tom,
I have few more 80lb blanks left.