Pretentious Snobby Bastard Fly Fishing!

Fly Fishing BS => The Gravel Bar => Topic started by: bullship on March 05, 2012, 18:04:58 PM

Title: blank-e-ty blank
Post by: bullship on March 05, 2012, 18:04:58 PM
Looking for some advice por favor. I'm thinking about building a rod "for my son", but i haven't a clue where to start with blanks. I wouldn't mind doing a fiberglass build, but I'm not dead set. I can get a lamiglass blank for a hundred or so, which seems high, but I'm worried I'll end up with a wet noodle $20 eagle claw(which i already have). If they're better quality blanks I'll do it, but I'd like to hear from someone....anyone who has experience with their rods.

I've also been checking out the batson blanks. Are they shit? They're like $30 bucks. Seems like they'd be shit. i dunno what the hell I'm doing, but I'm pretty sure I can figure out how to wrap some thread and wipe glue on it. Any advice would be welcome and much appreciated.

For your trouble
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Title: Re: blank-e-ty blank
Post by: outdoorguy3 on March 05, 2012, 18:50:03 PM
Batson blanks are good blanks.  Different series for different actions.  Which Batson blank you talking about?  You might want to check out Mudhole too.  they have an MHX blank and you can get the whole kit for just over $100.00 on and 8' 6" rod.  Just received one of their kits to build for a buddy and was really impressed with the blank and it's quality, along with the quality of the components sent.  I'm going to get one of their 10 foot blanks to build a rod for myself.

Ralph ;D

Title: Re: blank-e-ty blank
Post by: 22midge on March 05, 2012, 18:56:33 PM
Raf when you get through with that butt section can I watch you wrap her eyes??? bd;0 bd;0 bd;0
Title: Re: blank-e-ty blank
Post by: bullship on March 05, 2012, 19:52:40 PM
Thinkin about a forecast 7 1/2 foot 3wt. I want a slower action, so if I go graphite, that's probably it. I'm leaning towards fiberglass just for the fun of it. My son is just over one, so he obviously won't be using it anytime soon, but I can nearly guarantee the first fish he catches will be a bluegill out of the neighbors pond. I just have it stuck in my brain that he should catch his first fish on a yellow rod.......maybe I'll get both.
Title: Re: blank-e-ty blank
Post by: OldDominionAngler on March 05, 2012, 20:07:51 PM
Quote from: outdoorguy3 on March 05, 2012, 18:50:03 PM
Batson blanks are good blanks. 


x2.  I built a 6'6" 2-weight Forecast RX6 2-piece kit from Hook and Hackle a few years ago and it's been my brookie rod ever since.  It'll throw any flies you need for brookies just fine and it's taken pretty good beating without breaking.  I've no interest in another 2 weight until this one breaks.

I worked on a 7' 3- weight 2-piece Lamiglas honey a year after that and broke the tip off on my second trip with it  b';...still haven't wrapped the new tip section. I love the way it looks and I enjoyed fishing it briefly...but it was a small sample size.  It's not noodly, but it could be more crisp..and I wouldn't be shocked if someone thought it was clunky.  I'm building out a McFarland glass blank for my brother right now and if if you want a nice glass blank, that's where you should look.  Defintley more pricey though. 

Good info on glass here: http://troutunderground.com/2008/01/casting-glass-the-undergrounds-wholly-biased-take-on-the-modern-fiberglass-fly-rod/ (http://troutunderground.com/2008/01/casting-glass-the-undergrounds-wholly-biased-take-on-the-modern-fiberglass-fly-rod/)
Title: Re: blank-e-ty blank
Post by: Jfey on March 05, 2012, 20:44:08 PM
I wrapped the 6'6" 2-weight Forecast RX6 a while back also.  Mostly used it for bluegills, but I was surprised how much action it had for a 2 wt. 
Title: Re: blank-e-ty blank
Post by: blue ridge angler on March 05, 2012, 21:26:17 PM
My favorite rod is a Batson RX7 7'9"..It was a kit that I got from Hook and Hackle..I recently built a Hook and Hackle xi 6.5' 2 wt 4 pc kit, and everyone who has fished it agrees that it is an absolutely killer rod for tiny creekin'..Tranny held it and seemed to like the feel of it..Although I did have to return the original blank due to a set in the tip, there customer service was superb, and they had a new blank shipped out the same day that I contacted them, and it is straight as an arrow..

They also have some high end blanks that are designed by Gary Loomis, and made in the US, the price has kept me from building one so far, but I bet they make real sweet sticks..

If you go the route of getting the blank and components seperately Check out REC for the components..They have some higher end stuff that is really nice..I built out my 8' 6/7 wt 1970's Lami blank with components from them and have been real happy with that rod..

Building rods is great..If you tie flies it comes as second nature..Slippery slope though..Be careful..

 
Title: Re: blank-e-ty blank
Post by: bullship on March 05, 2012, 21:39:59 PM
Sweet. Thanks guys.

Quote from: blue ridge angler on March 05, 2012, 21:26:17 PM
Building rods is great..If you tie flies it comes as second nature..Slippery slope though..Be careful..

understood. as of now the wife is encouraging it, but we are broke, so that will end soon enough.
Title: Re: blank-e-ty blank
Post by: robs_seven on March 05, 2012, 23:26:41 PM
I enjoy my batson blanks and American tackle blanks. Go with a kit, best way to not over spend or end up with mismatched components.  1st one can be a doozie.  Becareful what you start. After my first I'm spending a ton on builds and trying to get my equipment upgraded. Basically building just to support my habit of building.
Title: Re: blank-e-ty blank
Post by: robs_seven on March 05, 2012, 23:28:32 PM
One last thing the wifey support won't last long. I know from experience after #5or10 she gets pissed seeing the bank statements.  Lol :P
Title: Re: blank-e-ty blank
Post by: _Fish_Pimp on March 06, 2012, 01:59:56 AM
I built a 7'6" 4wt lamiglas honey rod for my grandpa a couple years ago. It feels really nice, its not a wet noodle either. I've also built on a few of the batson forecast blanks and they're good for the money and fish well too. The american tackle matrix blanks are nice too, I've got an 8' 4wt, it was my first rod...its more of a medium action if thats what youre looking for. It doesn't come in yellow though  -0-
Title: Re: blank-e-ty blank
Post by: Gofisher on March 06, 2012, 08:29:12 AM
Quote from: bullship on March 05, 2012, 19:52:40 PM
Thinkin about a forecast 7 1/2 foot 3wt. I want a slower action, so if I go graphite, that's probably it. I'm leaning towards fiberglass just for the fun of it. My son is just over one, so he obviously won't be using it anytime soon, but I can nearly guarantee the first fish he catches will be a bluegill out of the neighbors pond. I just have it stuck in my brain that he should catch his first fish on a yellow rod.......maybe I'll get both.

I like a man that leaves plenty of time to finish a project!  'c;
Title: Re: blank-e-ty blank
Post by: bullship on March 06, 2012, 12:20:08 PM
Quote from: Gofisher on March 06, 2012, 08:29:12 AM
Quote from: bullship on March 05, 2012, 19:52:40 PM
Thinkin about a forecast 7 1/2 foot 3wt. I want a slower action, so if I go graphite, that's probably it. I'm leaning towards fiberglass just for the fun of it. My son is just over one, so he obviously won't be using it anytime soon, but I can nearly guarantee the first fish he catches will be a bluegill out of the neighbors pond. I just have it stuck in my brain that he should catch his first fish on a yellow rod.......maybe I'll get both.

I like a man that leaves plenty of time to finish a project!  'c;

just being optimistic........