Based on my participation in some fairly recent threads, I'm reconsidering my preference for fast or extra fast action rods for flipping and pitching. The blank listed above is the blank I plan on using. It's rated as mag heavy power, and rated for 3/8 - 2 oz baits, and has a moderate fast action.

I feel more than pretty confident that the blank would fit the bill quite nicely for the techniques I listed above, but I'm wondering if the rod I build on that blank would serve me well as a hard bodied swimbait rod as well?

If anyone has experience with the above mentioned blank, I'd love to hear their opinions, as well as their opinions as to what other baits they feel a rod built on this blank would fish well. Like ...... would it make a good frog rod?

Thank you in advance for any responses



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/04/2016 08:52AM by David Baylor.

Why don't you ask them? info@northforkcomposites.com.

David;
Apart from the length( Suggest 7.6 to 8 ft for flipping)
That blank is IMO one of the finest(if not the finest) blanks you will find for that application.
Gary has a better understanding of the characteristics of what it takes to build good flipping blank then most if not all the other companies building blanks for that technique.

As for using it for hard swim-baits it might indeed serve well for that purpose. But I have not used it for such.
The moderate fast action should do well to help them stay buttoned up once hooked. and should sling them a country mile.

If you are attending the ICRBE
The Seminar on "Building Technique Specific Bass Rods" will cover the subject of what makes a good flipping blank in great detail and may be an eye opener for many.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/04/2016 06:43PM by Steve Gardner.

Spencer, I appreciate your response. I've never really thought about contacting a manufacturer to ask if a blank would work well for baits and techniques other than the ones they list the blank would be good for. I guess I figure if they thought it would do well for other baits, that they would list it. Perhaps the blanks shorter length than most swimbait blanks are, could be a reason.

Steve. thanks a lot for responding. The reason I chose the above mentioned blank is because of a couple of threads on the subject flipping and pitching blanks that you and I both participated in. So I was definitely hoping that you'd respond.

The moderate fast action of the blank is going to be a new animal to me as far as a flipping and pitching rod is concerned, so I'm going with this blank because of its power. While I know a 7'6" rod would give me greater range for flipping, that length of rod would be difficult to get in and out of my rod locker. Anything longer than 7'3" and I'm having to put the rod through stresses that make me a bit uncomfortable. So that's why I'm going with the 7' blank.

My thinking mirrors yours as far as me questioning whether it would serve me well as a swimbait rod. I don't throw a lot of hard bodied swimbaits, but having a moderate fast action will definitely make fighting a fish hooked on one, a lot less stressful.

As far as the ICRBE goes, some day I hope to make it there, but this year is out of the question. We're crazy busy at work, and I'm soaking up the OT while I can. The OT is what is paying for this up coming build.

And thank you again for your response. It is very much appreciated.

David,
Give John a call at North Folks composite and he will be very helpful in answering all of your questions.


[www.northforkcomposites.com]


I have called various manufacturers from time to time over the years and have always found them to be very helpful and able to answer any and all of my questions about any of their products.

Be safe

David,
Gary Loomis has always been an out of the box thinker, his catalogs were a great source of other species uses for his individual rods and rods in a series.

Your hook to land ratio will diffidently improve with a moderate blank

Batson Enterprises is the Exclusive wholesale distributor for all of the NFC blanks. We will have a very nice selection for all to see at the ICRBE.
Any one of the Batson Distributors can get you any of the 250 models that Gary has produced. We carry a large inventory on hand.
If you ever have any questions and cant get a hold of NFC directly please feel free to contact us.

Batson Enterprises
Rainshadow/Forecast/ALPS/NFC product lines
877-875-2381
www,batsonenterprises.com

Roger, thank you for your response. Yours and Spencer's suggestion is something I'll definitely do in the future.


Bill, does that mean I can contact Carol or Mick at Utmost Enterprises, and get my blank from them? That would be outstanding if that were the case. I love dealing with them. It's a top notch organization, with top notch people.

Plus it will save me ordering components from them, and the blank from somewhere else.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/06/2016 08:42PM by David Baylor.