Looking to build a center pin float rod for King salmon, will be used on my skiff in lower tidewater on my local Oregon coastal river, fish average #20 to #30, with the occasional bruiser over 35#.

Usually swing flies with 9 wt switch rods on incoming tide, however, when the tide slows up and kills the swing, a floated fly can work well. Fish are usually tagged anywhere from 30' to 60' from boat, rarely longer, often closer.

Usual practice is once hooked up, throw the anchor buoy over and follow the bigger fish until subdued. So thoughts are a 10'6 - 11', 10-20# or 10-25# should suffice as long as it has plenty of reserve butt power.

Currently considering Rainshadow RX-7 ISA 1266F 106' 10-25# (cannot find the ISA1265F 10-20# listed in catalog), and an MHX ST1355-MHX, 11' 10-20#.

Being my first build, would like to keep the blank cost reasonable, which both of the above are.

Opinions on these blanks, or other recommendations?

thanks

Anglers work shop
SH112M2 11'2'' Mod-Fast M 2 10 - 20. 1/2 - 1 ½.
BADSS12642CG 10'6'' Moderate Fast MH 2 10 - 17. 3/8 - 1. 5 0.58 4.04 Medium heavy slide float rod/Med moocher 103.15
BADSS12642CG 10'6'' Moderate Fast MH 2 10 - 17. 3/8 - 1. 5 0.58 4.04 Medium heavy slide float rod/Med moocher 103.15

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

From RainShadow Rod Blanks we recommend the RX8 XST1324 for a Center pin - [www.rainshadowrodblanks.com]

The ISA1265 was discontinued a few years ago.

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

any center pin fans with a opinion?

Might still have an All Star BESH12642 still around, bought a bunch from Mr. Dears when the factory closed and went to off shore production. MH, 10-20 lb. line, 1/4 to 1 oz. lure weight.
You can find info on the All Star rods in the archives of some of the PNW fishing forums.

Double post.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/22/2018 07:05PM by Spencer Phipps.

Forgot to mention, who All Star was, they were a rod company out of Texas, had some popularity in the bass rod arena, and made one of my all time favorite fly rod blank lines in their Titanium series, the same graphite was also used in their high end bass blanks, and another of my favorites the Tops and Tails blanks were built on this material.
They made a Titanium series salmon/steelhead rod that I never tried, and never saw in blank form. The blanks I used were made from the same material as the Batson RX7 blanks. They are every bit as good as the RX7 blanks in the 10 1/2 ft. lengths.

I built a 10'6", 10-40 lb blank into a really nice pin rod for chinook. Hooked and landed a 35lb chrome fish this fall on it. Lots of fun to play tug of war with big chinook on the pin. Good luck!

great info - what model blank did you use?

Lance