After years of fly fishing in freshwater I got bit by the saltwater bug while visiting the Outer Banks of NC this summer.
Now I'm ready to build a fly rod for inshore SW targeting speckled trout, puppy drum, blues, maybe striped bass.

I'm thinking an 8' or 9' 8wt would do nicely. What do you think?

Any blanks you can recommend?

St Croix 5FS908-4.

Budget???
Herb

Thanks for responses so far. I hope to keep finished rod costs to +/- $350. Is that realistic? As far as blank goes, I am willing to trade off a bit of weight for a blank that will cast greater distance and deal with wind. Would love to find an older Sage or Loomis blank... What can I expect to pay for such a blank? And what others are out there that are comparable performance-wise.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/23/2014 09:29AM by patrick crisci.

The MHX may be what your looking for
Check these posts on them
[rodbuilding.org]

Bill - willierods.com

Dear Patrick
Your email is hidden.
Please email me at hladen@hotmail.com

Regards
Herb

Patrick: In general the lighter the fly rod blank the farther it will cast, the more subject it is to breaking, and the poorer fish-fighting tool it is. Heavier blanks are tougher, fight fish better, but don't cast as far or as easily. Just another compromise. I would recommend a 9' rod for the salt even though it is more susceptible to breaking from "high sticking" while landing a fish.

Don't go less than 9 feet. Lots of great 4 piece 8 wt 9' blanks out there. You can easily stay within $350 budget with many blanks that are available. I suggest what manufacturers call fast action, better in the wind. I really like my Pac Bay Quickline, and depending where you buy them, they can be very affordable. I'm not an expert caster, but I do understand the principals and often get it right. When I do, the Quickline really shoots the line. Beautiful gloss black.

I think the power of an 8 wt is right for what you are trying to do. 10 weights might be better for a few of the larger fish, but they are very tiring to cast.

Maybe I should stick with what I have. While in the OBX I fished my 8.5' Hardy Sceptre glass with a 7 weight intermediate running line and sinking head and it performed admirably. Just thinking that graphite might be better for casting into wind, making quicker, longer casts. Plus it's lighter, and should be easier after a day of fishing, on my 60 year old arm and shoulder!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/23/2014 01:19PM by patrick crisci.

patrick: It's easier to go from fly fishing salt water inshore [ one false cast, double-haul, and go!] to fishing fresh water [many false casts to dry your fly or whatever, lots of wrist, and release] than from fresh to salt. If a 7 weight glass rod has performed admirably for you in the salt up to now why change?

Good point. Exactly my question. I'm just thinkin a lighter, stiffer material like graphite might be better for casting longer distance, especially in windy conditions. Would also be easier on my arm. Thoughts?

I would opt for a 2 handed switch rod of about 11' in and 8 wt.

Patrick,
The Sage VXP is being discontinued and is a clearance blank at some shops.
The Sage 230G bluegill is only 8' but is a great deal of fun and is much easier on the elbow.
Either will cast into the backing and throw very tight loops.

Gene

patrick crisci Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks for responses so far. I hope to keep
> finished rod costs to +/- $350. Is that
> realistic? As far as blank goes, I am willing to
> trade off a bit of weight for a blank that will
> cast greater distance and deal with wind. Would
> love to find an older Sage or Loomis blank...
> What can I expect to pay for such a blank? And
> what others are out there that are comparable
> performance-wise.

Hi Patrick,
Here is our website:
Our RainShadow Flagship Eternity2 Ultra high modulus might just squeeze into your pricing through our distributors. The RainShadow Revelation model will fit perfect within your build costs.

[www.rainshadowrodblanks.com]
ETEF908-4 Cobalt Blue 9'0" 4 8wt N/A 0.450 4.5 XF N/A 1.9oz. Bonefish/FW Bass/Superb distance casting rod

[www.rainshadowrodblanks.com]
REVF908-4 Satin Black 9'0" 4 8wt N/A 0.378 4.5 F N/A 2.2oz. Largemouth Bass/Bonefish/Redfish

R. McBride

Batson Enterprises
BatsonEnterprises.com | RainShadowRodBlanks.com | ALPSForeCast.com | Build2Fish.com

If you want to be able to get distance in the wind and surf, go with a two hander.

Hey Patrick, email me at wisuwrhre4@aol.com

I fish the east coast for striped bass, bluefish, weakfish from the beach and my boat. I like to cast the TFO BVK blanks. They have good lifting power and work great in wind. Most of the time im using intermediate lines with clousers or deceivers. TFO also sells the mangrove series, that I heard work great but I haven't built one yet. You can go less expensive with the ATC Matrix series. I use those as well. Very inexpensive and casts very well with the intermediate lines and weighted flies. You can build a nice rod for under $200.00. You don't need to spend lots of money. Good Luck.

Michael Harmon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I fish the east coast for striped bass, bluefish,
> weakfish from the beach and my boat. I like to
> cast the TFO BVK blanks. They have good lifting
> power and work great in wind. Most of the time im
> using intermediate lines with clousers or
> deceivers. TFO also sells the mangrove series,
> that I heard work great but I haven't built one
> yet. You can go less expensive with the ATC Matrix
> series. I use those as well. Very inexpensive and
> casts very well with the intermediate lines and
> weighted flies. You can build a nice rod for under
> $200.00. You don't need to spend lots of money.
> Good Luck.

After I finish the live bait kayak rod I'm working on, I gonna do a saltwater 6wt BVK. I have their factory built 8wt BVK, and I can tell you it's about the best casting 8wt I've ever had my hands on. Better than my old Loomis Pro1. The only rod I think is nicer is the Orvis H2, but that's an $850 rod. That BVK 8 is awesome!

Michael Harmon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I fish the east coast for striped bass, bluefish,
> weakfish from the beach and my boat. I like to
> cast the TFO BVK blanks. They have good lifting
> power and work great in wind. Most of the time im
> using intermediate lines with clousers or
> deceivers. TFO also sells the mangrove series,
> that I heard work great but I haven't built one
> yet. You can go less expensive with the ATC Matrix
> series. I use those as well. Very inexpensive and
> casts very well with the intermediate lines and
> weighted flies. You can build a nice rod for under
> $200.00. You don't need to spend lots of money.
> Good Luck.

After I finish the live bait kayak rod I'm working on, I gonna do a saltwater 6wt BVK. I have their factory built 8wt BVK, and I can tell you it's about the best casting 8wt I've ever had my hands on. Better than my old Loomis Pro1. The only rod I think is nicer is the Orvis H2, but that's an $850 rod. That BVK 8 is awesome!