Hi folks,

I've been scouring the web for a 7'10" 8 or 9wt fly rod blank with no luck at all. I have a client that will be using it from his kayak for blues and striped bass. The closest manufactured rod would be the reddington predator 7'10" 8wt.

I would be grateful if anyone knows where I can find this length blank OR could a 9ft blank be cut down to that length??

Thank you for your thoughts!!

Chris



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/26/2016 11:17PM by Chris Santemma.

Chris,
CTS has a custom fly rod program that can get you very close.
You can get a 7'9" (3" increments) in 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 pieces. In weights from #0 to #18.

You can get it in 3 graphite models - Fast, Moderate Fast, Moderate. Or fiberglass.

Check out link - [ctsfishing.com]

Email me if you need prices/help

Regards
Herb Ladenheim
U.S. Distrib. CTS Rod Blanks

Schneider has a 2 piece popping rod blank, IP963F, a blank is a blank. Can cut some off the butt.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/27/2016 11:33AM by Spencer Phipps.

Chris,
The IM7 blank you're looking for in an 8 foot length should have a butt of approx. .391 with a tip of .068 and a weight of 1.7 ounces
The IM7 blank you're looking for in an 9 foot length should have a butt of approx. .448 with a tip of .068 and a weight of 2 ounces
These specs should place you in between an 8 and 9 weight line.

Spinning, casting or fly shouldn't make any difference. Cut to the requested length.

Gene

Depending on how much you want to spend, Sage makes 7' 11" bass series blanks from panfish to peacock bass.
Norm

Out of curiosity, how does the fact that this rod will be used from a kayak require a 7'10" blank"?

From my understanding and experience in the keys it makes getting your hand on the fish much easier. i had grip the fly rod way up high to try and bring the catch close to the kayak. personally i just find it awkward. Also i can move with the fish so distance is no longer a primary factor so i can get by using a shorter rod. This is just me. Everyone has has their own way..

Chris

From my understanding and experience in the keys it makes getting your hand on the fish much easier. i had grip the fly rod way up high to try and bring the catch close to the kayak. personally i just find it awkward. Also i can move with the fish so distance is no longer a primary factor so i can get by using a shorter rod. This is just me. Everyone has has their own way..

Chris

I built one for myself to use on kayak. I started with a 9' 9wt matrix 2pcs. Cut it down to 7'10". Built it like any other fly rod only played with guide spacing to get it right for me. I use it a lot and it works good. I feel the rod weight dropped one size with the amount of butt I cut off. I cast it with 8wt sinking tip and floating lines. Other than that just some casting technique adjustments and it works fine for stripers and blues. Also, I recommend building one for yourself first. It will help you figure out the way the rod works and give your customer an opportunity to demo it and give you feedback. Check out the 2pcs bushido fly blanks.

Michael
Consider yourself lucky that the rod did not snap at the top of the grip.
The butt section of fly rods are built beefier to accept the loads. Besides resting a rod on the gunnel of a boat when a good fish hits - there are two ways top break a rod:
1. Hi sticking
2. Improving your leverage by holding the rod above the grip with a good fish on. In effect - that is what you are doing when shorting a rod from the butt.

You can get a rod properly built almost to any length you wish with the proper "meat" in the grip area.
Herb

Herb, I agree cutting that much off is risky, but it's a risk I feel is worth taking. I want to see what the rods limit is and if it casts properly. I used a size 17 spin seat on this rod so it will flex more than a metal seat and hopefully reduce the possibility of breaking. I have a feeling the false albacore run this fall will be the true test. I appreciate the input. Thx MH