Have a blank I was thinking about building up as a gift. I'm land based so all my builds are 9-11 foot surf rods, never built a boat rod so I have a couple questions.
The blank is a CTS (BS705 ) 7'0" 30-45lb : 2-6oz that I was told would make a great small tuna or large striper rod.

Looking for some reference points to get me started....
Reel seat placement, was thinking 10-12 inches.
Fore grip, should this be around 10-12 inches, more to hold on to while fighting heavier fish and standing on a boat, also in case it hits the rail?
Anything different that I should think about with the guide layout or stick to what I've been doing (NGC)?
I was thinking about doing an under wrap which I never do on my surf rodst?

Thanks all for the help
lumo

Batson Rainshadow live Bait blanks are Strong and Reasonably priced

RCLB-70M Have built a lot of these for Striped bass on the chunk and using live Bunker and Spots, My Nephew took his out for tuna and caught several



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/17/2017 01:12AM by Barry Thomas Sr.

Thanks Barry but I already have the CTS blank.
Big fan of Rainshadow though! My first build was a SW 1087.

Try a spiral wrap. Works great with big fish. Especially those big stripers that run for cover behind rocks when hooked.

Hey Louis,
How are you??
I built that exact blank for my son and well as the 765.

It's a great blank.

10-12 " is a bit long for that rod. Especially aesthetically
I made his 5".
If you really want it longer I would install a separate smaller grip forward of the main foregrip.- ala an off-shore fly rod.
Or maybe one grip of 6".
Herb
Distrib. and retailer CTS blanks

Hi Herb,

I'm doing well thanks, hope you're the same. I was actually able to get a VT 1102-2, being delivered tomorrow.
Going to have to learn to plan ahead or order back ups with them I guess, but the blanks are worth it for sure. Four months wait is a whole fishing season!

Played with the 705 blank and a reel for a while and came up with a 10 3/4 inch butt, Had a nice piece of 8 inch cork so I went with that for the fore grip...can always cut it back if I don't like it.

I like the idea of a split fore grip..maybe for a canal jigging rod. I know some guys do that for surf rods they use as walking sticks in areas like Montauk.

Thanks for the help
Luis

My experience has been that the prime consideration for a tuna rod, even "light" tuna, is lifting power, while casting power is the chief consideration for a rod for stripers and blues. These two qualities are not very compatible in a blank.

Phil, that's a good point. It depends on the technique you choose to employ. I can see a tuna rod working for stripers in my location when using a drift bucktailing method. We use 8-20 oz sinkers and fish 30-80' deep locations. The tide runs like a river so having a rod with lifting power is a must. Especially when the lure hooks a kelp covered rock. It's not my favorite striper technique but it does need a specific type of rod. I prefer casting plugs and bucktails at rockpiles. Best MH