I am looking for a suggestion on a blank to use to make an open water sturgeon rod.  The rod I have right now works but I need another one for a guest, my wife, or upgrade for myself.  What I am using right now is the rod I had built many years ago from Thorne Brothers for trolling for muskies.  It is similar to the glass trolling blank that ST. Croix made for e-glass series catfish rod (discontinued).   The blank is FM90BK (they call it F-90M now).  It is a 9’-0” blank that I had 6” taken off the tip (8’-6”).  For my new build I would like a blank that has a softer tip and fast action, stronger butt/mid-section, and around 8’-6” to 9’-2” (would be the finish length).  I am thinking of sticking with a glass rod for the strength and most of the time I have the rod in the holder and am watching the tip.  Thank you for the help and tight lines.
Edit: this will be for MN lake sturgeon



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/13/2017 04:43PM by Mike Tuma.

I just notice in the search how to look back past 30 days and found this post
[rodbuilding.org]

Spencer Phipps recommend a Batson Rainshadow SWS597 in that post. At 7'-10" the blank is a little shorter than what I was looking for. But I can learn to extend the butt of the blank. The only problem I have with this blank is that it is parabolic. I have read on other forms that this would not be their first choice in a blank. But they didn't say what one would be.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/13/2017 09:24PM by Mike Tuma.

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

Thank you for your insight Paul. I live in MN is there a way I can get my hands on some of these blanks to see them in person before I buy one?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/13/2017 11:30PM by Mike Tuma.

RCLB 80 XL
I have 2 for my personal use, and built 2 more for friends (who are super happy with the way it performs)
Also have one SW967F, built it this year and use on my sturgeon trip in october. It is different rod, but was performing very good as well.
If you fish from boat I would go with RCLB80XL. I have one with cord wrapped handle and Fuji heavy duty saltwater reel seat. Light and thick enough for rod holders.

call them direct and they will help you and answer your questions
333 Broadway, Suite 408
Troy, NY 12180
1-844-RODgeek (763-4335)
M-F 9 am- 5 pm

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

Don't know where you got your info, the SWS597 blank is in no way a parabolic blank, it is in fact fast to X fast, if I remember right it has a 5.5 tip. Email me your email and I'll be happy to send a pic of the blank in action. We use them for targetting keeper sized sturgeon in the Columbia River which are similar in size to the big midwest sturgeon, but we have heavier current flows. Largest sturgeon I've caught on the blank, just under 8 ft. Works best with fish 25-100 lbs.
It's a large butted blank so extending will take some bigger materials than many have around their bass/walleye shops, but it could be done.
Also a nice catfish blank, and many other things you will think of.
Like Sergiy, I've also used the RCLB80XL, and it is one of the favorites of the Batson clan for sturgeon. Batson builds a RCLB810L, 8 ft. 10 in. blank, but I've not used one, the people at Batson can help you. They have all built on the SWS, SWB and RCJB blanks for sturgeon.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/14/2017 09:58PM by Spencer Phipps.

Thank you for clearing up the information about the blank for me Spencer