I'm building a new rod, which one?

[BassManDan]

I plan on building 5-7 rods this summer, ranging from a swimbait rod to a wimpy dropshot spinning rod.

I only ask for assistance because I don't know which to build first.
I''m not going to say what I have and/or need to build, meaning that I want no rhyme nor reason as to "why". I've got a crankin rod on deck to build first and then its free reign after that!

Thanks for exacerbating of my indecisivness!

BassManDan

[aNNieNsaLTIE]

i think it would depend on what you need........or what your favorite lure to throw. i would build a flipping stick. i could always use that for mission fish or spinnerbaits.

Steven

[dockboy]

Depends on what you'll need most. My first build was a dropshot setup. Loomis DS820 blank with REC guides and a split handle. Good stuff and has paid for itself already a few times over. If you can build a crank rod, the spinning rod will come easy. I would say build a finesse or jig rod first, depending on what you fish the most.
As far as swimbait rods go.... what type of swimbaits do you throw most often? If its the usual Mission Fish, Huddleston, Lunker Punker stuff, there are some many rods available out there for you it doesn't pay to build a rod. Swimbait blanks are typically expensive, require many high end guides, and the handle can be something else. If you really want to do it, that's fine. But when you can get an Okuma or Daiwa (or even a Powell or Dobyns) that does most swimbait fishing fine, I wouldn't worry about it because the money and labor you invest in it would really be about equivalent. Plus, a swimbait setup is one of the rods modern anglers are most likely to break. To me, it makes more sense to buy a factory rod with a warranty, and then send it in when it breaks or has a problem. Then, when something breaks, you can get a new one quick. Break a rod for swimbaits you built and all that hard labor goes out the door, no refund. Good luck trying to get a blank manufacturer to replace a blank, and if they do its rarely a speedy process. Your swimbait season could be over by the time you hear back from a blank manf. on the warranty.
There are two real rods you could build for swimbaits. If you fish the biggest baits ( Hudd 12", Tool 13"), the Calstar 800L is a great heavy, heavy duty rod. I means, this is the rod for the biggest baits and trophy hunters. There is no a blank when built right that can really throw a big 12" Castaic like the 800L custom wrapped.
On the other end of the spectrum, there is a lack of really good rods for wood baits like the 7" Slammer and the like of smaller, lighter baits with a low center mass and trebles hooks. The blank that many SB guys like is a Rainshadow (Batson) SW967. Its a whippy composite rod that acts like a giant crankbait setup, but has a ton of backbone when need be. Great rod for light baits cause you can launch normally tough to throw baits like a Slammer into oblivion. This is probably the rod you would want to build if you get into swimbaits big time. It can cover most smaller baits, unlike the 800L, which really isn't useful for anything under 10". Plus, the SW967 is a great rod for DD22s and big spinner baits or even a big spook.

[BassManDan]

You guys are missing the point, there aren't really any new rods that I NEED, its simply what to do next, with no particular reason why!

Thanks for the input!

BassManDan

[SHAFT]

Build a spiral wrapped crankbait rod , I would like to try rod building and have read a few articles on the spiral wrapped rods the theory makes sense to me it would be interesting to compare a standard and spiral side by side . How did you get started with your equipment and supplies ? did you buy on of the kits ?

[BassManDan]

Hey Shaft, thanks for the idea!

I have heard good things about spiral rods and the glass rod I have would work well for that.

As for your questions, check you pm

BassManDan

[dockboy]

I that case, go all out! I've been building for about 3 years now, and love it. I'd say a Rainshadow SW967 would be an awesome build for you. Versatile, light, and fairly well priced blank. If you want, you could go with a SW967 and build with SIC guides and a long EVA handle like the Dobyns Mike Long Series. Awesome setup.
For drophot... I like the Loomis DS820, but Rogue has a great blank. Light and fast. They are overall a solid bank company, and good warranty too. For a jig/worm/Senko rod, there are really 3 companies for me; Loomis, St. Croix, and Rogue. Shikari made great blanks before Gary Loomis bought them out and start revamping them into a new company last year. Lots of good Shikari blanks going around at great prices. I got a pair of 6' med. SHIIs I love for everything, small Senkos and small topwater, great Pointer 78 and small crank rod too.
Try a Seeker 706 glass blank for your crank and spinnerbait rods. Many, many guys out here use a 706 custom wrap Seeker. One of the best blanks made for heavier spinnerbaits and large deep divers.

[aNNieNsaLTIE]

i would go for a mice finess casting rod! not to many nice ones out there. almost like a forgotten strategy.

Steven

[BassManDan]

I've been thinking, and the Finesse Casting rod is in the lead, since I'll be leaning on the football heads and dropshot this summer, and since the Punching Rod is gonna be a bigger expense (about $130 compared to $85)
The Swimbait rod is gonna need some redesigning before I'm satisfied on a complete plan. I wanna find a green blank, wrap with puple thread and call it "The Hulk"!

Thanks all,
BassManDan

[Jason Milligan]

Hey Dan. That rod you had at Redwood Marine last weekend was pretty sick. Have you thought about a 7.5 to 8 foot glass cranking rod? I know you'll pry be fishing Trinity and that rod would be great for deep cranking up there for those monster smallies. Also a 7.5 foot spinning rod would be cool.

[BassManDan]

Hey Jason,
I do have a 7.5" glass blank at my house, I just need to get the rest of the parts, so that big cranking rod is on deck...THEN comes all the other ones over the summer.

And on a related topic, I will be in Lincoln all summer, so if you ever wanna get together and fish, let me know!

Later bud,
BassManDan

[Jason Milligan]

I hear the spiral wrapped guides are better for putting less stress on the line when under a load. I can't bring myself to using them though. A lot of my friends use rods with spiral wraps and i've used em but don't really care for em. Yeah we'll have to go fish for sure man.

[Steve45]

Ditto on the Rainshadow SW967 I working on my 6th one now to go with my dark rainbow Slammer, I'm building a Lamiglas senko rod using the IM700 blank and 2 weeks ago built a lamiglas 7'2 XMG LMB864 sweet rod split grips and working on a Loomis 6'9" spinnerbait rod also. It's an addiction can't help myself. After that might build a skip'n rod for tubes. Steve

[BassManDan]

I've been primarily looking at Lamiglas rods, but there sure have been alot of noise about them rainshadows...hmm

Yeah, Steve, the rod I just built is the Lami 7'2" XMG; split EVA grips, no foregrip, Fuji Alconite Guides, it's not the super high end stuff, but it is a super nice rod! I use pretty much exclusively for 1/4-1/2 oz weighted sweet beavers, with 20 lb line, it's got a nice tip for pitching and a pretty parabolic action to act as a bit of a shock absorber so your not tearing out hooks on...shall we say, less than ideally hooked fish!

Glad to hear anymore input from fellow builders.

BassManDan