Could not resist the specs on this Musky blank at only 6.2 oz. The total build came in at 15 3/4oz which is 12 lighter than the Black Steel that I normally use. Put the largest shark tooth that would fit and 5 pieces of abalone with Alps centra lock seat and shrink wrap on grips and a little cord on the fore grip. Pac Bay TICH guides spiral wrapped and Fuji SIC tip top. Looking forward to a good break in tomorrow if Mother Nature cooperates. The abalone used is made for ear rings. I did not grind away the hole area to keep me from selling it. I built this thing for me to use. Since I am an old guy I thought I needed a lighter rod.
(http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a526/dwebb49/ST%20Croix%20Musky%2010_zpso1dhjerw.jpg) (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/dwebb49/media/ST%20Croix%20Musky%2010_zpso1dhjerw.jpg.html)
(http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a526/dwebb49/ST%20Croix%20Musky%208_zpsbz8zklh5.jpg) (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/dwebb49/media/ST%20Croix%20Musky%208_zpsbz8zklh5.jpg.html)
(http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a526/dwebb49/ST%20Croix%20Musky%209_zps2x1wcage.jpg) (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/dwebb49/media/ST%20Croix%20Musky%209_zps2x1wcage.jpg.html)
(http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a526/dwebb49/ST%20Croix%20Musky%2011_zpscduliyok.jpg) (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/dwebb49/media/ST%20Croix%20Musky%2011_zpscduliyok.jpg.html)
(http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a526/dwebb49/ST%20Croix%20Musky%2012_zpszoqjglvr.jpg) (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/dwebb49/media/ST%20Croix%20Musky%2012_zpszoqjglvr.jpg.html)
(http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a526/dwebb49/ST%20Croix%20Musky%201_zpsad72f7x1.jpg) (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/dwebb49/media/ST%20Croix%20Musky%201_zpsad72f7x1.jpg.html)
(http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a526/dwebb49/ST%20Croix%20Musky%202_zpse2in7hyi.jpg) (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/dwebb49/media/ST%20Croix%20Musky%202_zpse2in7hyi.jpg.html)
(http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a526/dwebb49/ST%20Croix%20Musky%203_zpspxbfbxrm.jpg) (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/dwebb49/media/ST%20Croix%20Musky%203_zpspxbfbxrm.jpg.html)
(http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a526/dwebb49/ST%20Croix%20Musky%204_zpsgalboiqo.jpg) (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/dwebb49/media/ST%20Croix%20Musky%204_zpsgalboiqo.jpg.html)
Nice job, I really like those grips.
:o that is one bad mojo
very nice
Awesome! Looks like it could be a wicked Tautog stick up here in the North East. Great job.
Dwight, great job that is one beautiful rod. What does "fast action" mean? Dominick
In a few words less of an arch in the rod, or faster tip. Or a hot date!!
Thanks Guys!! Fast Action means it will shut down fast and cross a snappers eye balls. ;D
;D
By now, I didn't think they would keep getting better and better, awesome rod buddy ;).
I believe you had enough practice, it is now time to move on...if you know what I mean ;D.
Sal
I am still searching for my place in the industry. This was a practice pattern for a custom that begins Sunday. I will of course tweak it since I have not built any two alike and want to surprise one of us. Got some cool ideas for another forum buddy. ;)
Quote from: Alto Mare on April 10, 2015, 11:22:26 PM
By now, I didn't think they would keep getting better and better, awesome rod buddy ;).
I believe you had enough practice, it is now time to move on...if you know what I mean ;D.
I would agree.
Great work Dwight. Not sure what language you and Sal are talking, but I think you are building a rod for him. ;D 50 t0 100 is a pretty big Rod for what you normally show.
I'm having a Calstar IGFA 80 Blank and a Stuart short #4 Detachable Butt built for a Sharking Rod.
Nice job Newell Nut. Keep us posted on how you like the blank.
Quote from: Dominick on April 10, 2015, 08:57:56 PM
Dwight, great job that is one beautiful rod. What does "fast action" mean? Dominick
"Action:
This describes how much of the rod deflects (bends) when you put pressure on the tip. A fast action rod will bend in only the top third or less of the blank, a medium or moderate action will bend in the top half or so and a slow action will bend starting in the lower third of the rod. Sometimes slow action rods are termed 'parabolic', meaning the bend of the rod is similar throughout the length. This description is subject to the type of rod you may be talking about at the time; a fast action fly rod or steelhead rod will bend much lower and more easily than a fast action bass rod or offshore rod.
Most bass rod actions are fast to very fast because this action generally provides better sensitivity and faster power for hooksetting. By faster power we mean the rod 'shuts off' faster, or the bend ends higher on the blank, which means you don't have to move the rod as far on the hookset to get into the stiffer part of the blank. Fast action rods are great for most applications where a short to long casting distance is involved and single hooks are the rule, such as worm and jig fishing.
Medium and medium-fast rods will usually provide a little more casting distance and still provide adequate hooksetting power. These actions are often used for applications that involve treble hooks, such as crankbaits and topwater lures or other reaction baits such as spinnerbaits. The 'bite' of a treble hook is not as deep as a big single worm hook and it is easier to tear the hook out of a strong fish, plus the slower action will not pull the lure out of the fish's mouth before it fully engulfs it. The type of lure you use will usually determine the action of the rod you should use."
Mac
Well written but what makes life very interesting and confusing is that each manufacturer puts their own twist on those terms. Fast Seekers tend to be softer than fast Calstars. Fast graphites are a lot stiffer the fast e glass or S glass.
Quote from: Newell Nut on April 10, 2015, 08:27:59 PM
Looking forward to a good break in tomorrow if Mother Nature cooperates.
Have you been out to use it yet? And if so, your impression?
Quote from: Newell Nut on May 06, 2015, 12:07:22 PM
Well written but what makes life very interesting and confusing is that each manufacturer puts their own twist on those terms. Fast Seekers tend to be softer than fast Calstars. Fast graphites are a lot stiffer the fast e glass or S glass.
Your absolutely correct. Without Standardized definitions for rod manufacturers it all amounts to what one thinks. Look at the fishing line breakage claims. What a farce that is. But I don't want to shanghai this thread so I'm done. Nicely done rod, Dwight!
Mac
Quote from: BonitaBch on May 06, 2015, 05:04:53 PM
Quote from: Newell Nut on April 10, 2015, 08:27:59 PM
Looking forward to a good break in tomorrow if Mother Nature cooperates.
Have you been out to use it yet? And if so, your impression?
St Croix ratings of 50-100 are a joke. No place for all graphite rods on the ocean in my opinion. Factory rep said the musky guys use 21 to 25 lb of drag and that 28 may cause the rod to fatigue. Set my drag at 21. First snapper hook set took about 4 seconds to snap the rod about 3 inches from the fore grip. St Croix has replaced it with a very expensive blank with FRS which is their version of E glass with a moderate bend. Weird thing is that on their site it is listed as a spinning blank. This is an extremely robust rod and nobody would build a spinning rod out of this thing unless using a 12 oz jig or something. Thinking of building another bottom rod out of this one. This time the rep tells me to stay around 18 lb of drag. This one is a 40-80 and feels like 60-120.
I like St Croix blanks, however back several years ago I had one snap under stress forcing a stripper in that was probably close to a 50# fish and St Croix replaced it also with a much higher class rod. Ive not had the opportunity to build a blank that is a glass & graphite mix yet, I have looked at the various Pac Bay blanks and the next rod I do I will probably give one a go. The rods that I have done are in the lighter class then those that you are building, mine are more the 20-40 class and 7' to 7.5' maybe a .75" but with a 7.5 tip. med fast to fast action. I consider that stout for that length of stick. But I'm not fishing for Tuna or Shark either.
The Rainshadow RCLB79ML in 20-40 is a terrific blank you may want to try. I have built offshore spinners out of them and they work great. Designed for big tarpon but the tip is soft enough to cast light baits. My buddy Kevin fishes for tarpon with the XL version for very light bait casting and he has not broken any of his Rainshadows. I just added a bunch of Rainshadows and Seeker Hercules blanks to my stash for future projects.
Quote from: Newell Nut on May 06, 2015, 11:32:50 PM
The Rainshadow RCLB79ML in 20-40 is a terrific blank you may want to try. I have built offshore spinners out of them and they work great. Designed for big tarpon but the tip is soft enough to cast light baits. My buddy Kevin fishes for tarpon with the XL version for very light bait casting and he has not broken any of his Rainshadows. I just added a bunch of Rainshadows and Seeker Hercules blanks to my stash for future projects.
Would that also apply to use as a bait casting stick, or is it not a dual purpose rod?
Okay I just checked to see the blank you are referring to, because I was looking at rainshadow rods from Batson a few months ago. Funny thing is I was looking at the RCLB70ML-CG and the RCLB70M-CG.