Hello all,

Im new to rod building, well actually im looking into starting, because I need a new rod for lake trout fishing and I want to try this out. I found this forum and have already read and learned quite a bit, but figured id see if anyone has any comments specific to what im looking for.

I do most of my lake trout fishing in the BWCA, im USUALLY not fishing over 100+ ft of water either, I do ocassionally tie up into bigger fish but the average size is smaller than say a lake superior laker. One article I found on here suggested quite highly a batson solid glass saltwater blank? I was wondering if that would be more rod than id really want/need for my applications, and if so, what are some other rod blanks people would suggest? Oh and I do all my fishing outside of a shack. How

Thanks, and looking forward to hearing what you have to say,
Riley

If you want anything over 32" you'll have to go with the Batson - it is the best option out there for fish over 10lbs. There are options out there for shorter blanks (30-38") but nothing I would hand a nice laker off of while working a baitcaster and 1/2oz up baits

Riley,
I have built many many ice rods particularly for big fish and this is by far my favorite blank for these fish.

i.e. the 6 foot solid glass Batson Medium action blank that is trimmed from the butt of the rod only to the desired length. I build these rods in lengths from 30-60 inches. Most are about 40 inches long. Wonderful rod for the application and virtually unbreakable in the harsh climate if ice fishing.

Be safe

Would the batson blank work okay with jigs below 1/2 oz as well, or is that the kinda on the lower end of things youd wanna go? And seems like a lot of people like the baitcaster option for these but I prefer spincast reels, that wouldnt be any issue I dont think would it? Again im new to this so just want to check. Thanks.

Riley,
Virtually all of the Lake Trout Ice rods that I have built have been built as Spinning Rods.

Mud Hole CRB spin rod blank cut to size, about $12.00 wholesale................

Riley Jacobson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Would the batson blank work okay with jigs below
> 1/2 oz as well, or is that the kinda on the lower
> end of things youd wanna go? And seems like a lot
> of people like the baitcaster option for these but
> I prefer spincast reels, that wouldnt be any issue
> I dont think would it? Again im new to this so
> just want to check. Thanks.


Riley
Yes it will especially when cut down to shorter lengths.
My outside builds are 42" and inside builds are 28"-32".
Those shorter ones work fine with lighter jigs but still work well to 1.5 ounces or so.

I order my blanks from Utmost Enterprises and they are nice enough to cut them down for me so I save on shipping.

This is what the 42" rod looks like under the load of a high teens/20# laker.

[img.photobucket.com]

Regards
Dave

Fishing is Life the rest is just Details

Very helpful everybody, thanks!

For clarification, because there are a lot different kinds, is this the blank you guys are suggesting?

[www.getbitoutdoors.com]

Riley,
Here is a picture of the nice Lake Trout caught by this client that had purchased one of the Batson blank based ice fishing rods. The rod was based on the solid glass medium action Salt Water blank cut to 40 inches long.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

These blanks really work very well for this application.

Take care

Riley Jacobson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> For clarification, because there are a lot
> different kinds, is this the blank you guys are
> suggesting?
>
> [www.getbitoutdoors.com]
> lanks.html


Yes, that is the one I use.

Regards
Dave

Fishing is Life the rest is just Details

Roger and Dave, thanks! Im lookin forward to diving into this project. Been something I wanted to do for awhile now so here it goes!

-Riley

What kind of handles do you guys like to put on this rod? Is a regular "ice rod" handle good, or should I get closer to like a 10" spin rod handle?
- I have been ordering most my stuff from mudhole if theres something giod there you guys would suggest

These are probably pretty elementary questions, but I like hearing your guys' opinions.

Thanks

Riley,
I have been building up all of these rods as spinning rods with Tennessee cork grips 8 inches long for up to 40 inches. If longer than 40 inches I go to a 10 inch grip.

Tape the reel onto the cork grip and you are set. The cork and tape are both warm in the winter in contrast to cold metal or nylon reel seats that freeze in the cold.

Be safe

Thanks once again Roger! Appreciate it.

So, mudhole only seems to have a 10" tennesse handle. The rod im building I think I will make is 36". Would you say that the 10" TN handle will work fine still or should I keep looking for ab 8" TN handle somewhere (which im having a hard time finding anywhere actually)

Also, if I did buy the 10", does it harm the integrity of the handle if I would just cut out a 2" portion of it??

Thanks!