Message for JamesDean

[wicklundrh]

Eric,

After reading what you are looking for and looking to do, I think I found something that won't break the bank and will fit the bill for what you are wanting to do with it.

Although I do not own one, I have had the thought of building one ever since I had one in my hands about 5 years ago. A fellow Crappie Dot Com member had one built and was at a camp. I had the opportunity to put the rod in my hands and I really loved the action and feel of the rod. It was a 9ft rod built on a 4wt fly blank. Unfortunatley, they don't seem to make this exact model anymore however, you can get it in a 5 wt 9 foot model. I am specifically referring to the American Tackle Company "Matrix" fly rod blank series.

American Tackle Matrix Fly Rod Blanks

These blanks on "noodle rods" for the most part. They have a moderate fast action and a lot of whip!

For a slightly more expensive blank BUT a ligher in the hand model with a little faster action, I would suggest the MHX 9ft 4wt in a two piece model.
MHX F904-MHX Fly Rod Blank | mudhole.com

Two piece rods in longer lengths are getting harder and harder to find. Looking to the fly rod section is alway a great option for longer rods as you can still build them in to a great spinning rod.

These are just a few ideas. Now that you kind of have what you are looking for, go ahead and look through the catalogs and see if you can find a comparison. I like to compare "Actual Rod weights". The two above, although the same in length, and action are vastly different in terms of weight in the hand. Still much lighter than a traditional crappie rod that sometimes come in at pretty heavy weights.

[Jamesdean]

COOL, Thank you for the help wicklundrh. I will definitely look at both of them. Thank you very much for the direction. Eric, AKA "jamesdean".

[T_om]

Just be aware that fly rod blanks are not set up with much mid-rod strength (or power, if that's what you want to call it). They tend to flex further down the rod than actions we normally need. Most crappie rods need a faster taper with more tip flex and less mid-rod flex.

Tom

[Jamesdean]

Ok, thank you for the info. I have a fiberglass fly today now I tinker with...one day I may actually learn to use it...hahaha.

[snake River]

I have used fly rods for many years for pan fishing that you're great for vertical fishing I converted A regular flyrod Input smaller guides Such a spin cast type In we use regular monofilament line For probably over 20 years Thank you for the information I will take this under deep consideration In maybe build me another rod What' a fly rod blank.

[crappie wrangler]

I use pretty much the rod you are talking about and it is my favorite long rod. It is a 4 wt GLoomis fly blank which are unfortunately no longer available. I have a St Croix 5 wt fly rod that I use also. Instead of building it with a standard fly rod type reel seat I used half of a Tennessee grip for the rear grip and a 3” fore grip. With the length of rod you have to work with you can get creative with your decorative wrap. The Confederate flag wrap I did was on one of these.

I use to get some pretty good inexpensive fly rod blanks from CUI products out of Tulsa, Oklahoma but I have not ordered from them in a while and am not sure if they are still in business. CUI is a wholesale only distributor so a tax number will be required.

I built rods under the label “Cast Master Custom Rods” and is possible that some of you guys might have seen one. Even though I am retired I have retained the LLC and label name and still build the occasion rod.

[Jamesdean]

Thank you for the informative post crappie wrangler. I will keep this all in mind. As far as cui goes, well I am just starting in the field of rod building for myself, and a tax I.D. number is out of the question. But thank you for the info. Eric, AKA "jamesdean".

[crappie wrangler]

Starting my second application of expanding glue in my reel seat. I pour it in slowly from the tip wiping off any excess from the reel seat as I apply.

[T_om]

Just curious as to why you did not use the tried and true method of building up arbors out of tape and epoxying the seat and handle?

Tom

[crappie wrangler]

About 35 years or so ago I figured out that tape works as a natural shock absorber between the rod blank and the reel seat. Using two graphite arbors on either end of the reel seat and the expanding glue to fill the void the maximum vibration transfer is achieved between the rod blank and the reel seat which was always the desired effect. I do not personally know of anyone else that glues the reel seat on this way. When I sold custom rods my clientele wanted the best money could buy so the 12 hours to glue a reel seat was not an issue. In the end having the best is far better than saving time and effort in my opinion.