When you order a blank (say a casting blank) or you order a spinning blank, what is the actual difference in the blank its self? To look at them you can't tell a difference. It seems that the difference is in the components you put on the rod and where you put them. This may be a dumb question but I just ordered two St Croix blanks and they look the same as any blank except for the label. Could I make a spinning rod out of a casting blank and how would it effect the outcome. Phil

A blank is just a tube or shaft, there is no physical difference between a spinning or casting blank.

..............

Phil,
As Tom stated, a blank is a blank.

From a marketing view point, generally spinning rods tend to have less power and a lighter action than a casting rod.

But, yes, I have build up blanks labeled casting with a spinning reel reel seat and guides.

I have also built up blanks labeled spinning with a casting reel seat and guides.

Just match the power and action of the blank - no matter the label to the job that you want to execute with the fishing rod.

Be safe

The blank doesn't know any difference. Finding the optimum blank for the task at hand is what you should focus on. Action, power, where and what you will be using it for is key. That's one of the primary reasons to take the custom route imo.

It would be great if someone from one of the manufacturers would wade in on this thread!

I think the manufacturers, at least most of them, know that we would end up talking about CCS again, and they don't want to do it. Exc for Point Blank and Pac Bay.

I am working on building some spinning rods built on 3 Wt. fly rod blanks. The blank doesn't know what it was built for. I think I know what you are asking, are the Sage, St. Croix, Winston et all blanks better than some of less expensive blanks from Batson PacBay and such? I will leave the answer to the people that build a lot of rods. For me, I can't see a lot of difference other than price.

Mike Bradfrod
R.M.B. Fishing Rods
Nampa, Idaho

Phil Ayers, you have stumbled into a gem of info. Not only does spinning vs casting vs fly mean nothing, so does salmon vs bass and so on. The wise builder looks at diameters, wall thickness and materials and then buys and samples. He develops a database of blanks. Based on what he discovers he matches them to applications regardless of what they are sold for.

This isn't something everyone does. But IMHO it is something that can offer tremendous results and value. I think it is a road worth going down. Best of luck in your ventures.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Thanks to everyone, you are correct Russell about stumbled into a gem of information that is what I love about this board. I am new at this but I want to build the best rod I can build just for my self satisfaction. It has amazed me how small things effect a fishing rod performance. Thanks again, Phil Ayers

For me I want my casting rods to be a little slower and my spinning rods to be a little lighter in the tip and faster. I agree it does not matter what the blank is labeled. But the action does matter for the application.

When you find - or think you have found a blank you want to use for a certain lure -- All blanks throw WEIGHT weather it be lure weight or fly line Fly line is the weight Past the tip
Come here to see if it will or is good for the lure and or WAY you want to use it
Some one here has probably tried it and should know
That is what this site is all about -- ask before you spend that money

Bill - willierods.com

I bought a Fenwick rod a couple of year ago, on sale for about half price. It didn't work well for what I thought it would, but it turned out to be very nice for tossing a micro jig under a small float for trout. I still use it for that. I let a buddy use it one trip to Taneycomo. When he first held it he said, "hey, this is a walleye rod". I told him look closely. It says walley on the top when you're holding it in the fishing position. The trout can't see you're using a walleye rod, so it will be fine.

He gave a strange look, and started fishing.