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Standup YFT chunking/livebait rod

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21K views 76 replies 17 participants last post by  cchris  
#1 ·
Looking to build a standup rod for my Talica 25ii and kind of indecisive on which blank i want. So far I do know that its going to have a Winthrop Stripper and Tip and then Fuji's the rest of the way.

So far i have been recommended the following blanks:
-Seeker S655XXH
-Seeker S6455XXH
-Calstar 655XH
-Calstar Grafighter GF755XXH

What do you guys think of those blanks? What are other blanks that you guys would recommend?
Also, what's you guys opinion on the aftco Uni butt? Or is there a different aluminum butt you would go with?
 
#3 ·
85okhai said:
Looking to build a standup rod for my Talica 25ii and kind of indecisive on which blank i want. So far I do know that its going to have a Winthrop Stripper and Tip and then Fuji's the rest of the way.

So far i have been recommended the following blanks:
-Seeker S655XXH
-Seeker S6455XXH
-Calstar 655XH
-Calstar Grafighter GF755XXH

What do you guys think of those blanks? What are other blanks that you guys would recommend?
Also, what's you guys opinion on the aftco Uni butt? Or is there a different aluminum butt you would go with?
What lb test line are you fishing?

Are you planning to reel swivels through guides or using windons?

Are you trolling with this rod at all? If not no need for unibutt or any aluminum butt.
 
#4 ·
both Calstar & seeker class rods 6455 655 XH XXH are all Cal Tackle blanks...I feel ( know ) Calstar does a better job of building the blank...

I have had Seekers fail never had a calstar fail...

Unibutt the 6455 are better for cutting down into unibutts...The 655 are better for a full build..anything with a 4 in its # is x-fast..

On the composite end GF755 or super seekers...I don't like either but if I had to pick the Calstar are thinner lighter blanks & much better suited for ring guides...The Super Seekers are fat heavy very hard & fast but better suited for heavy Aftco guides..

I would build either a Calstar glass with roller guides or a United Composites CP composite with Winthrop guides or Winthrop & Fuji ring combo...

as stated what reel size & line class are you looking for ? What line are you using & knots or terminal tackle ?...

I have a 50-80 4'4" custom blank that fits a #1 unibutt designed to be fished with a 16 size reel with JB & top shot ...Its a small light package designed to take med to med/large tuna ...Troll & chunk...
 
#9 ·
why rollers and rings?

aftco are nice,
we have used a lot of alum, not many problems....

we do a all ring rod with the superseeker blank..paired with those reels.

the 655XH or XXH would be a good safe choice.
depending on the size fish you target, and drag used.

a parabolic jig rod is nice, I just don't like a rod bent over that much at boatside...always a PIA...
 
#10 ·
Yes on the parabolic jigging rod.....It would snap at the end of the rod holder when a nice fish hits...

When fishing out of a rod holder you need metal or meat...LOL...
 
#13 ·
no I didn't PM me...
 
#14 ·
jigging rods wont work out of a rod holder...It may work for a while but I'm 99% sure a snap & crack will happen..

If a metal reel seat causes them to snap while your fishing ..just think what a metal rod holder will do...
 
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#16 ·
if the rod shuts off before the gore grip then why would it matter what butt is used? Stand up rods kind of have the same dimensions of a jigging rod with shorter providing the most leverage but not sure current stand up rods are made of the same light materials. Been a while since I stepped away from those setups.
 
#17 ·
Yes it would...Jigging rods are not designed to be fished from a rod holder...Stand-up rod are...

maybe we can get a MFG to chime in..would you cover a jigging rod fish out of a rod holder for tuna .?

I don't know of any..
 
#18 ·
GARRIGA said:
if the rod shuts off before the gore grip then why would it matter what butt is used? Stand up rods kind of have the same dimensions of a jigging rod with shorter providing the most leverage but not sure current stand up rods are made of the same light materials. Been a while since I stepped away from those setups.
Its got nothing to do with where the rod shuts off. Rod shut off the pressure is transferred to the next fulcrum down the rod which is where the rod butt meets the end of the rod holder. Then you have a broken rod.
 
#19 ·
peterk814 said:
Its got nothing to do with where the rod shuts off. Rod shut off the pressure is transferred to the next fulcrum down the rod which is where the rod butt meets the end of the rod holder. Then you have a broken rod.
I get that. Still not grasping why a jigging blank can't be built to chunk. Are they not strong enough to sit in the gunnels assuming all components are built the same as a traditional chunking/trolling rod? Considering the drag pressures used to subdue big fish then the problem can only exist below the reel seat. I'm not a rod builder so just asking the question to understand.
 
#20 ·
your beating a dead horse...

Two very different designs..Calstar wont even cover its blanks if you cut them & put them in unibutts...Just for that reason...How do you know were to cut it so it wont snap at the ferrule...

I have seen many rods snapped at or just above the ferrule...I have seen 2x rod tips hit the gunnel of a boat on strike...

Trolling & chunking out of a rod holder & jigging rods don't mix...
 
#22 ·
Too much talking and imagination on the Internet instead of fishing.:) While you are talking, I am fishing for three days on the Yankee Capts now.
Right jigging rods are great for chunk in for Tuna on stand up as they are short and light. Many serious tuna fishermen already use them for chunking.
 
#23 ·
I think Rich is assuming cutting the blank is the only option. Like I said, I'm not a rod builder. Off actual experience I've chunked with non traditional chunk/troll rods. Reason I'm thinking of using jig specific rods to chunk in the future and provided that option to the OP.
 
#25 ·
peterk814 said:
What lb test line are you fishing?

Are you planning to reel swivels through guides or using windons?

Are you trolling with this rod at all? If not no need for unibutt or any aluminum butt.
Capt Richie said:
both Calstar & seeker class rods 6455 655 XH XXH are all Cal Tackle blanks...I feel ( know ) Calstar does a better job of building the blank...

I have had Seekers fail never had a calstar fail...

Unibutt the 6455 are better for cutting down into unibutts...The 655 are better for a full build..anything with a 4 in its # is x-fast..

On the composite end GF755 or super seekers...I don't like either but if I had to pick the Calstar are thinner lighter blanks & much better suited for ring guides...The Super Seekers are fat heavy very hard & fast but better suited for heavy Aftco guides..

I would build either a Calstar glass with roller guides or a United Composites CP composite with Winthrop guides or Winthrop & Fuji ring combo...

as stated what reel size & line class are you looking for ? What line are you using & knots or terminal tackle ?...

I have a 50-80 4'4" custom blank that fits a #1 unibutt designed to be fished with a 16 size reel with JB & top shot ...Its a small light package designed to take med to med/large tuna ...Troll & chunk...
going to be fishing in the GOM. plan on either 80 or 100 JB with mono top shot spliced in. I will also be doing some trolling here and there with it that is why i figured I'd go with the unibutt

paul708 said:
why rollers and rings?

aftco are nice,
we have used a lot of alum, not many problems....

we do a all ring rod with the superseeker blank..paired with those reels.

the 655XH or XXH would be a good safe choice.
depending on the size fish you target, and drag used.

a parabolic jig rod is nice, I just don't like a rod bent over that much at boatside...always a PIA...
no reason other than personal preference. also thought about just rings and a roller tip. more than likely going to go with the seeker as my cousin just got a set built and says he likes the way they feel. wish i had some where around my area i could go and see how they feel
 
#26 ·
85..The Calstar & Seeker glass blank are from the same company Cal Tackle Sabre rods...when you bend them hard to tell the difference...I like the calstar over the seekers ...

The composite differ seeker has black steel a moderate composite & Super Seeker x-fast hard & heavy..West coast rail type blanks I hate them...They beat the crap out of you..

Calstar has the GF 755 H XH & XXH...better than the super seekers but faster than the Black steel..Not a good blank for Aftco Wind-on guides..

United Composites CP or CA 50-80 -50-100 are the best of both worlds..composite lite blanks with a mod/fast bend...they fish very well in a unibutt...With UC unlike Calstar & seeker the high # in the rating is a sold # so a 50-80 can fish 80

Its up to size of fish how your fishing type of boat reels line so on...Not a easy thing to do over the internet...

From what I'm reading one of two blanks the calstar 6455XH or the united Composites 50-80...Guides Winthrop striper & tip Fuji rings just to keep cost down ..If $$$ not a problem go all W/T...Now bent or straight butts or a W/T adjust a butt...

You can do a great set on the cheap with a slick butt & all rings for 4 each or go crazy & get a UC all high end Express W/T guides & a W/T adjust a butt of 1k each...Will the 1k rod fish 2 & a half times better no...but guys like to show off & have big $$$$$ boats & money is nothing...

Me I fish the calstar 6455xh cut to a 14 tip in a #2 unibutt with w/t striper & tip with Fuji rings..

one think you don't want to do is over build..Go to heavy & your going to lose fish...don't buy super seekers they suck...