Hmmm. Lots of really good stuff here. I've been spending a lot of time over on the reel side, and not paying enough attention to the rods. So my question is what's the perfect glass blank for a long range Kite Rod with an 80T? 200 lb spectra. I cant handle the big graphite rods any more, the glass is easier on my back. But the biggest I have is a Boomer.
And would you run rollers on it or ring guides?
Thanks in advance!
Lamiglass and Seeker make some good glass stuff, though I understand Seeker has been turned over (not sure of all the details there). I use ring guides on kites but I suppose depends on your application. We use a clip in NC which lets the fish pop off to be fought straight on another rod and not the kite rod, like an outrigger. No need for rollers if fished that way. To be clear, are you fishing the 80 or using it to deploy kite? That would be way overkill. A narrow spool like a Penn 49 or 349 with 100lb dacron works well for kite deployment. I used to use a 130 Sailfisher but bumped up for capacity and the 130 is a nice shelfie. 49 can be had cheaply.
To be clear, this is a rod to catch the fish, not to fly the kite. My application is long range Tuna out of San Diego on the 15 day plus trips.
from my limited experience with kite fishing and looking at what the commercial rod builders provide it seems like ring guides are most prevalent fuji bhpng being one common style. Just sold a seeker 3x5 to a brother here and it was designed strictly as rail rod for long range with the mentioned fuji guides Whatever you do dont try to go cheap on guides or you will be sorry. dont ask me how i know. I have about 15 tuna capable rods both glass and graphite and all have bhpng and im happy with them. minimum maintenance great performance and do not fuzz the braid.