First timer here, so please forgive the long post. I'm not sure if I am asking too much of this or just haven't been guided properly. I fish on charter fishing boats for striped bass and all of the boats use fiberglass rods while trolling. The reels themselves are about 30 ounces plus the weight of the rods with aluminum butts and very frequently, it can be noticed that clients can be fatigue by "fighting" the rod. I'm hoping to reduce this by one, having a rod acid/spiral wrapped and also looking for a blank less than say 9 ounces. The boats a generally moving 5-6 knots and when a fish hits, the inertia is immense and the rods just bends right over, as they're designed to do. A rod builder was suggesting carbon fiber rods, which of course are nice, but I was under the impression that carbon fiber does not handle this type of inertia well, as in "blowing up". I am just a mate on the boats and not getting paid for this but if I can help clients enjoy fighting the fish and less the rod, it will be nice to see.

I would suggest a blend rod, carbon fiber on the butt end, transitioning to fiberglass at the tip! I personally like the Batson/Rainshadow Bullet Proof series (BP)!

Thank you for the reply. The BP series that you mentioned is the RX4 line up correct? The only rod in that line up was model SWS70MH. It's weight isn't too bad at 4.5 ounces. Would you suggest cutting 6 inches from the top for more backbone? The R6/E-glass models remind me of the Grafighter rods, graphite down below, glass above. Looking at the weight of the models and what I need them to do (be much lighter and take the impact that an outrigger rod needs to take) seems to be asking a lot.

Arthur,
Frankly, for your use, I would stay with a 100% fiberglass rod. I think that for the stresses you mention, other rod materials would have a very good chance to blow up on the strike of a fish.

Take care

I build a lot of trolling rods for rockfish. I like the American Tackle AXGC66MH for that purpose. Of course I build mine traditional, but would think a spiral wrap on the blank would work as well.

Just wonder what weight line and how many pounds of drag are being used?
There are several Batson choices, "SWB" and "TS" in E-Glass, "BP" in 2 piece RX4, "SWS" lighter power in RX4,
"RCLB" and RCJB" in Composite.

Best wishes,
Ron Schneider
Schneider's Rod Shop
Mountain Home, Arkansas
[www.schneidersrods.com]
mtnron40@yahoo.com
870-424-3381

Roger, I do think that I'm asking too much and am afraid that may be the only way to go. Craig, I'll look at those blanks shortly. Ron, each boat is different, some use 50 mono on the outrigger rods and some use over 100lb braid. As far as drag goes, I haven't actually measured it. Penn 113h and diawa 450h are the most popular star drag reels and myself and other mates go by feel, after setting the line out, we adjust the drag for "strike" and tighten down once the fish is on.

For striper trolling we'd recommend from our RainShadow lineup:

RCKJB606-325 - 6'6", 30-60lb, 8-15oz., Moderate Action and Heavy Power - 7.96oz blank weight
RCKJB700-250 - 7'0", 30-50lb., 6-10oz., Moderate Action and MH Power - 6.8oz. blank weight
RCKJB700-325 - 7'0", 30-60lb., 8-12oz., Moderate Action and Heavy Power - 9.0oz. blank weight

RX6 Graphite with an E-Glass tip. Lot of our guides use from this lineup. We have or can have Spiral Wrap blueprints for these rods.

More details at: [www.rainshadowrodblanks.com]

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

Thank you James for the replay and information. The RCKJB700-250 is the most appealing from the 3 recommendations that you provided. If it would make any difference, I'd shave off 6'' from the butt end of it. I'll try to find someone local with that blank to check it out. Still wishing for that low weight blank but as I mentioned, it may be dreaming.

We could probably find some with a lower blank weight but since not all of your clients are skilled with a rod, durability is important the guide industry. Always feel free to call in and talk to one of the sales reps as well.

Yeah taking off 6-inches shouldn't change the blank too much.

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

James, thank you for the info. You are absolutely correct concerning durability and client's skill levels. I'll figure something out!