I need a rod for horsing/yanking huge bluegill & shell cracker out of lily pads, American Lotus and other vegetation. Don't want a cane pole. I need something lightweight with the backbone to pull these slabs outs of the weeds/pads. I would prefer something two piece in the range 12- 14 foot and not a telescoping rod. There will not be a reel on it, just a tip top to tie my line. I have seen these rods/fiberglass cane poles online but the reviews were not very good so I am going to build this one. Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated.

A steelhead or center pin rod blank in the length you are looking for is worth looking at. The Batson XST line has some possibilities and I am sure there are others like them.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/24/2017 01:58PM by Ross Pearson.

depends on how much you need in power either a center pin rod or the next step would be a surf rod for dip style fishing that I assume your doing ,fishing the pockets in the weeds and pads

The best day to be alive is always tomorrow !!
Think out side the box when all else fails !!!
Wi.

Why not a cane pole? You could easily shim out some aluminum tubing to make it a two-piece pole. I'm continuously cutting and throwing away 15 to 25 foot bamboo canes which are more than rugged enough to lift world-record panfish out of heavy cover. If you live in central Florida I will gladly give you a couple dozen 15 to 20 foot cane poles free of charge.

Don't know if the 12' two piece. or 14' three piece MHX crappie and panfish blank would work for you. I know their 10' blank will lift 2.lb crappie out of the water. Since they are composite blanks they are pretty tough and durable, but might be a little soft. The nice thing is they are relatively inexpensive. Center pin, Spey, salmon or light surf blanks will be more expensive and may not work any better. Some of the European match rod blanks would work well but you can not find them in the US.
[www.mudhole.com]
[www.mudhole.com]
Norm

I would say it should be moderate/medium power with at least 1 1/2 pounds lift capability and then of course you must factor in some fight/resistance from the fish & weed. I have to yank them out quick or I want get them out.

I have considered bamboo. Here in Texas we have river cane which is the same thing or almost the same, but for some reason it don't know straight, it just naturally grows crooked, I use a lot of it because I use it to build crappie condos and I am always on the lookout for some straight stuff and then when it drys it seem to get a bit more crooked. So I am kind of stuck with buying something manufactured.

Also I don't want to invest a bunch of money. Something cheep and strong. I do have a bunch of salt water blanks but they tend to be a bit heavier.

Any additional feedback would be welcome.

Kerry

Have you considered starting with a flipping stick blank and customizing for your type of fishing.

Good Luck!

John

Have you looked at any of the Japanese "Tenkara" style fishing rods available on line?. Sounds like they are rigged exactly as you mention. I think you can buy them in 1, 2, and 3 pieces or telescoping.

How about a bass jigger pole. They come in 14' or 16' models, can make shorter by removing butt section. Inexpensive and may work.
[www.bnmpoles.com]
Norm

Kerry - Hope you and your family are safe and sound with minimal problems due to Harvey. Take care of yourself!
Norm

Why not a cane pole?! Maybe because a cane pole weighs an ounce or two more than a modern blank. We like to keep them as light as possible, you know.

Checked my old rod stash and found a 16' telescoping jigger rod that somebody gave me awhile back. With the butt section removed it is about 12 1/2' . The diameter of the butt of butt section is 1 1/8", the diameter of the butt of the next section is about 1". It is a fairly substantial rod and I think it do what you want it to do. You can have it for free if you want it, just email me.
Norm