Shore casters (whippas) looking for more distance will be familiar with the Kastmaster. A Kastmaster will make any fisherman with any tackle look good.
Kastmasters have been around for seventy years and copied often because they are so simple to make. Just cut a piece of round metal stock into thin slices.
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/kastmasterA.jpg)
Brass was used here because that's what I have. Stainless steel will make a better lure but is more difficult to work with.
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/kastmasterB.jpg)
It's just a piece of round stock cut at an angle. A hand hack saw will leave fewer tool marks than my junk jury-rigged band saw.
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/kastmasterC.jpg)
Two factory Acme Kastmasters seen from the side. If the cuts are angled just right there is very little wasted stock.
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/kastmasterE.jpg)
Since the second cut is at a slightly different angle, one end will be heavier than the other. This keeps the lure from tumbling in the air and increases casting distance.
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/kastmasterF.jpg)
You can polish it as much as you want and there are unlimited possibilities for dressing it up. You can add bucktail or flash dubbing to the hook. Use treble, double or single hook. The body can be painted, electroplated, clear-coated, covered with adhesive foil tape or holographic tape, knurled, stamped, monogramed, whatever you want.
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/kastmasterG.jpg)
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/kastmasterH.jpg)
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/kastmasterI.jpg)
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/kastmasterJ.jpg)
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/kastmasterL.jpg)
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/kastmasterM.jpg)
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/kastmasterN.jpg)
Top to bottom: three factory Acme Kastmasters, a Chinese knock-off, a half-dozen homemade. All are between 3/8 and 1/2 ounce. Mine are not coated and will tarnish after every use. A few swipes with a scotch-brite pad or 150 grip emery cloth will bring up some sparkle,
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/kastmasterO.jpg)
Acme Kastmaster comes in a variety of sizes from 1/3 oz. to 2 oz. They cheat on their weight though. The package here says "3/8 oz" but the actual weight with hook and split rings is about 1/2 oz.
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/kastmasterP.jpg)
My other favorite spoon for shore casting is the Hopkins.
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/kastmasterQ.jpg)
Another Kastmaster-like lure.
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/kastmasterR.jpg)
An early Kastmaster knock-off was the Weber Mr. Champ. When they were available I would choose the larger 3 oz. Weber Champ.
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/kastmasterS.jpg)
Here is an article with the Kastmaster history. Kastmasters they are still made in Providence, Rhode Island. Hopkins spoons are still made in Virginia Beach.
https://www.onthewater.com/featured-lure-acme-kastmaster (https://www.onthewater.com/featured-lure-acme-kastmaster)
-steve
Very slick, Steve !! And the proof is in the catchin' !!
Well done Steve I need to start making some shinny lures from the pluming scrap pile ..
Steve, you are a true mad scientist! I'd love to see your project shop, but since Hawaii is not in the works, I, and others I'm sure, would love to see an overdue picture of your rod and reel sets you have crafted in the collections thread! Great stuff!
John
Great work and thanks for the lesson! I thought it especially clever how it looks like you used a "C" letter punch to create a scale pattern! - John
Excellent work, Steve!
For those of us old enough to remember the Professor on Gilligan's Island that could make short wave radios out of coconuts — I recommend that Steve's name be put forward as the "Honorary Professor" of our site...
Best,
Fred
I'll second that recommendation !
Nice work Steve. I caught my first big fish on a 3/4oz Kastmaster w/ bucktail dressing. It was a 33lb striper!
nice homemade lure Steve,
but it doesnt matter if we like it or not, fish seems to love it!!
on another topic, dont you guys love how Steve secure the reels on his rods? looks very unique and the looks of the reel, custom made bamboo rod and home made lures with a fish put the picture on another level, picture of the month material right there !!
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/kastmasterL.jpg)
one question amigo, do you remove the reel after every use from the rod or leave ut there after many uses?
kind of worry of corrosion caused byt the wet cord by saltwater on the reel seat
Quote from: steelfish on July 26, 2019, 06:28:56 PM
nice homemade lure Steve,
but it doesnt matter if we like it or not, fish seems to love it!!
on another topic, dont you guys love how Steve secure the reels on his rods? looks very unique and the looks of the reel, custom made bamboo rod and home made lures with a fish put the picture on another level, picture of the month material right there !!
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/kastmasterL.jpg)
one question amigo, do you remove the reel after every use from the rod or leave ut there after many uses?
kind of worry of corrosion caused byt the wet cord by saltwater on the reel seat
I love it too! I wish I had the time and skill to do this kind of work like Steve does!
It must add a new level of gratification when catching fish :)
Steve, what reel is that in this pic? I would have not expected to see such a "modern" looking baitcaster on one of your rigs.
"DUDE!"
"Professor Steve", never even thought one could cut their own outta bar stock. I'd have'ta go the hacksaw route. If bought a new blade how long would it take?
Here's a couple of the Chinese knock-offs I get from Wall Mart. Change the hooks and dress 'em up a bit. Not only a distance caster, but accurate too. Great surf lure.
That goatfish looks about 1" bigger than the one I used as drift bait last week. Very hardy critter, the hook I used is in the top of the picture. 'Bout a 20 lb. Kahala(Greater Amberjack) gobbled him up and gave me a drag and knot test. Been awhile since I've seen a fish that size jump clear outta the water. Sometimes you know by the way they fight, your chances of landin 'em are slim to none. Couldn't even lift the rod outta the holder. So the braid to mono knot turned out to be the weak link... I went through those connections on all my reels and re-tied with the braid doubled-up.
Way to go, Steve, well done copy of a fine lure.
In early spring in the tailwaters of my favorite dam when it's generating, I often use the 1/12 oz gold Kastmaster on UL spinning tackle with 4 lb test mono. It'll catch a wide variety of species, yellow bass, yellow perch, white bass, crappie, smallmouth, walleye, rainbow trout and practically any panfish. I like those Hopkins also. More favorites are the Sidewinder spoon and Little Cleo.
Nice, Steve! Nothing better than catching fish on tackle & lures one has created. A little lacquer or urethane clear coat will relive some of that polishing for awhile. Copper also is a great color for lures. Some Daredevils used to have a copper backside. I always favored them the most and still use the ones I have.
Alex, I hate reel seats and other long term commitments. You can untie string, but reel seats have to be cut off. Lashing takes a few minutes though so I leave the reel on the rod when possible. My bench is set up so the reel can be disassembled for maintenance while still on the rod. It's cumbersome though so I need a better system. Better yet, I need reels that never require maintenance.
John, my collection is just a box of reels, a box of string, a box of guides and a stack of old blanks and cane. Pieces and parts get reconfigured often so I have a "new" rod and reel to play with every week or so.
"Collection" is a dirty word in our house. We have collections from three generations, all vying for a bit of dry space to keep them. If you ever turn your back, someone will haul your collection to the dump.
Greg, I have forgotten what a drag and knot test feels like. The gill netters wiped out the oio but I check regularly to see if any strays have moved into the area. In the mean time I have to be content with assorted crap like moana and those slime ball nunu. It might be time to start oama fishing.
Your lures always look so nice. I won't put in the effort because they are short lived. Fishing over the coral heads in a shallow bay, some are snagged and lost on the first cast. Others may last for hundreds of casts but it is just a matter of time. You never know.
Tommy, you're right and I need to clear coat them. Clear coat will not last long, but it's better than throwing raw brass into saltwater.
Chad, that little black reel is a Ryobi V-Mag 3 with user modifications. They must have come out when I wasn't paying attention as I learned about them here when John (Thorhammer) mentioned them. Because they feel so small in the hand, they are one of my favorites. But, they have a serious design flaw that makes them maintenance hogs. That would be a whole discussion in itself.
Other weekly specials pictured are a Calcutta 50 and a ABU 2650. The original Calcutta 50 is another of my favorites but also a maintenance hog. It is on a 10 ft graphite steelhead-type blank that can be bought off ebay for about thirty bucks plus shipping (look for Roger). The blanks are not marked, but they come from the same Chinese factory that produces blanks for Batson Enterprises and sold under the brand names Rainshadow, Alps and others. I don't really like Rainshadow because they break so easily and they do not have the snap or spunk of a St. Croix with the same specifications. But, for thirty bucks I could not resist.
The 2650 is on an old 10' Harnell fly rod extended to 11' with a bamboo handle. It feels just like a lighter version of the great Harnell surf rods from yesteryear. You can put all your umph behind the cast and let the slow lumbering action go to work. There's nothing else like them.
-steve
Quote from: steelfish on July 26, 2019, 06:28:56 PM
on another topic, dont you guys love how Steve secure the reels on his rods? looks very unique and the looks of the reel, custom made bamboo rod...
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/kastmasterL.jpg)
Yes I do. I was very intrigued the first time I saw this... Jeff
Continuing in the vein of catching non-target species with a homemade spoon and weekly specials......
I was wading and casting at what I thought was some papio working baitfish along the edge of muddy water. Instead, it was this guy:
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/hammer3.jpg)
In defense of the fish, it should be stressed that the spoon was tipped with a two-inch Berkley Gulp sandworm (those squishy flavored things)
and the fish probably couldn't even see the spoon in the muddy water.
The hook is barbless and the fish released unharmed.
The rod is an eight-foot something late 1950's St. Croix fly rod, extended to nine-foot something with a bamboo handle. In an attempt to up my game, ink was dripped on the bamboo handle and then coated with spar varnish.
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/hammer4.jpg)
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/hammer2.jpg)
The reel is a Langley Lurecast model 330. The Lurecast was in a group of similar Langley reels from the late 1950's. The size, frame, spool, bushings and journals are identical to the Langley Target. See:
https://alantani.com/index.php?topic=26433.0 (https://alantani.com/index.php?topic=26433.0)
The Target had a freespool clutch, but the Lurecast did not. The Lurecast had a levelwind, but the Target did not.
I have noticed that the Target can cast about the same distance whether the clutch is disengaed or not, as long as the gears are kept coated in a very light oil. The thinking was that the Lurecast would be a pretty good casting reel too; and it is once the levelwind is removed.
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/hammer1.jpg)
It's liberating to do without some of the frills like anti-reverse, drag and clutch.
-steve
Very nice Steve, I wouldn't have believed it if you didn't show a pic.
Amazing what that little knuckle buster reel can do.
St Croix are nice rods, I have a couple.
Sal
St. Croix does have some nice rods. I'm really liking this one of Steve's. It's sad that St. Croix no longer provides blanks for rod builders. Steve I'm really liking the idea of this knuckle buster. I've been meaning for some time to get another knuckle buster to fish on the river.
Steve's adventures deserve to have his own TV channel or a least a youtube channel.
Quote from: Rivverrat on August 03, 2019, 02:56:23 PM
It's sad that St. Croix no longer provides blanks for rod builders.
Yeah. We should get Alex to go on a recognizance mission and see if they can be had directly from the new factory. There's still some blanks around. If I were younger I'd try to buy up a few while it's still possible.
St. Croix made a good tobacco/trevano blank back in the day. On par with the best except, perhaps, the pre-Browning Silaflex.
-steve
Quote from: steelfish on August 03, 2019, 05:31:59 PM
Steve's adventures deserve to have his own TV channel or a least a youtube channel.
I was hesitant to show that picture Alex. I'm the guy who is always harping about avoiding the baby hammers in their nursery. They are so ignorant and vulnerable at this age. Give them a few more months and they will have it sorted out and disperse.
-steve
Awesome catch Steve!
I bet the knuckle buster lived up to it's name in that fight!
There wasn't any fight Chad. It ran laterally about twenty feet, I turned it's head and it just swam in as I cranked. It didn't even struggle until I pulled the head out of the water for a picture. It might have kicked once more when I picked it up by the nape of the neck and removed the hook. Back in the water it took off like a rocket.
I don't know. Maybe the flight instinct develops later. When it leaves here it will start hanging out around patch reefs farther out in the bay. There are a few blacktips patrolling out there so it better learn quick.
The hammers come into our neighborhood to gorge on schools of finger-size kanda mullet up in the shallows. They chase them day and night. There will be noticeably fewer mullet when the hammers move to deeper water.
Kanda mullet were introduced here in the 1950's. What were they thinking? The smaller Kanda mullet displace larger striped mullet and are considered an invasive species. The Kanda spawn several times per year, are very prolific and there are always lots of them. I wonder what the hammers ate before the Kanda were introduced?
-steve
Great info, thanks Steve. You've a wealth of knowledge!
I have a couple small knuckle buster's that I found for almost free. Wasn't sure what to do with them, but now you've inspired me to try putting together something similar. If you don't mind, I might be sending you some questions soon.
Yeah, good knowledge "Professor". Bout 6 miles west of me is a big hammerhead nursery ; Port Allen. Basically a big marina/dock area on a large crescent type bay with a big river commin in. Locals like baby hammerhead chopped up for bait, usin it for catchin opilu, akule and small jack species off the dock at night. So that's it, they're eaten the kanda mullet. They are quite numerous at times. I've yet to see a hammerhead < 2ft., here, though.
Edit: oops, I mean bigger than 2 feet.
I've never measured one exactly, but with the tail they're about two foot when they're born Greg.
DLNR should allow the mainland-style cast nets with small mesh and draw strings for catching Kanda mullet. It will slaughter them. Less of the invasive species and plenty bait for everyone.
-steve
Nice work "Professor"!! Way to improvise!!
West
Nice post. The Kastmaster design is a classic. I've heard of the Hopkins used a lot as a jigging spoon.
Frank
cut and pasted from the web.....
HOPKINS LURE STILL WORKS AFTER 42 YEARS
SKIP MILLER Staff WriterDaily Press
The man was new to saltwater surfcasting, so he was forgiven his trespass of not knowing one of the most famous of lures.
He looked at the slab of metal dangling from the snap swivel and said, "Do fish bite on that or do you try to hit them in the head with it?"
The Hopkins Lure, manufactured in Norfolk, draws that kind of reaction when seen for the first time. It's little more than a hammered slab of stainless steel, more oblong than spoon-shaped. Although it comes in all sizes, the 4-incher with a single, bucktail-dressed hook is a surfcasting favorite.
A Hopkins Lure is standard inventory for a surfcaster. It's heavy enough for the long casts surf fishing requires and it has an excellent track record.
Its design hasn't changed much in 42 years. Nor has its success. In 1971, Rita Mizelle caught a world-record 24 1/2-pound bluefish while surfcasting a Hopkins at Kitty Hawk, N.C. More recently, the New Jersey-record speckled trout (11-2) was caught while surfcasting a Hopkins.
In all, the lure has figured into the catch of dozens of world and state record fish, especially freshwater catches.
"It started as a saltwater jigging and casting lure," company vice president Robbie Roberts explained. "Its first freshwater use was on the Santee-Cooper in South Carolina. People used it to jig for striped bass.
"Now, freshwater use is our biggest market. I guess that stands to reason: There are four times as many freshwater fishermen."
The original lure was a hobby invention of Les Hopkins.
He owned a Norfolk seafood business and divided his leisure time between tinkering in his workshop and fishing. In the mid-40's, he started experimenting with a jigging spoon for gray trout fishing.
He cut the spoons from stainless steel knife handles, then pounded them into shape with a ball peen hammer.
The lure, indeed, caught gray trout. Hopkins made lures for his friends. Eventually, he patented his lure and made plans to market it.
"That was sometime around 1948," Roberts, Hopkins' son-in-law, said. "About the time the lure got marketed, the trout disappeared.
"It took a couple more years but it finally caught on as a casting lure for bluefish. Surfcasters in North Carolina and in the New Jersey-New York area were the first to use it. Then it became popular in central California for stripers.
"It just kind of grew from there."
Hopkins did not live to see his invention's success. He died shortly after including marketing the lure as part of his seafood business. His widow, Tirzah, took over and eventually formed Hopkins Lures as an independent operation. The operation is headquartered on Boissevain Ave. in Norfolk.
The original lure was produced in three sizes. That has since been expanded to dozens - everything from the original hammered finish to a smooth finish to a new line that is adorned with prismatic tape.
"Oh, I don't know that anybody can predict a success," Roberts said. "Certainly nobody could have predicted the success of the Hopkins Lure.
"But nobody can knock what's happened, either. All kinds of fish have been caught with the things. We've had everything from state record catfish (48-pounder caught in South Carolina) to five straight wins on a pro bass tournament's western circuit.
also this.....
For over 60 years Hopkins has thrived on a single objective – to make the best lure on the market. Time and time again experts agree that we are meeting and exceeding that goal.
Our story began in 1949 when R.L. Hopkins, an avid salt water fisherman and experimenter, decided that a better lure was needed. His initial objectives were to develop a lure that could be cast for distance, that had good fish attracting action, and that could withstand the rigors of salt water fishing; a lure that would resist corrosion and be tough enough to handle those trophy-sized fish.
He built, tested and rejected many lures for one fault or another until the No=EQL® evolved. It satisfied the requirements of castability and aggressive fish reaction and is equally deadly for jigging and fine for trolling.
Hopkins® Lures are forged from solid stainless steel stock.
I try to use rod and reel combinations that are from roughly the same era and are plausible marriages. But, this is a juxtaposition of sorts. A 1950's Langley Target with user modifications on a brand new modern Chinese-made Batson-like rod. A 10' 4-6 wt flyrod blank with a quick and dirty jetty wrap.
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/juxtaposition.jpg)
The results were both predictable and unexpected at the same time.
I had been using this reel on a nice tobacco/trevano Phillipson blank also from the 1950's. Phillipson made some terrific rods in his day; some of the best. I would say that the Phillipson is probably the best casting tobacco rod I have. But, the graphite squeezed out some extra yardage.
The overall weight is noticeably less too; even with the lead counter-weight in the butt to bring the balance point under my hand. The old Langley Target with mostly aluminum construction, drilled InfiniSpool, no drag and shaved tail plate is lighter than modern reels of roughly the same capacity. Of course, graphite is much lighter than fiberglass.
The little white papio inhaled the homemade kastmaster. I usually release everything but killed this one trying to get the hook out and had to have fish tacos for dinner last night.
-steve
Steve,what is that fish in your last pic ?
Jeff, how-in-the-heck can you replay before I finishing editing the post?
White trevally (Caranx ignobilis). Here, they call them papio when under ten pounds and ulua when over ten pounds. The blue-fin trevally (also called papio when under ten pounds) tastes better IMO. Sometimes the white ones will have a bit of a iodine taste if the bloody streak is not removed from the side. It's actually an organ rather than muscle tissue.
-steve
Quote from: oc1 on August 10, 2019, 08:22:01 PM
Jeff, how-in-the-heck can you replay before I finishing editing the post?
Well Steve I control all of the interwebs :D
Is that fish pretty prolific in your area ? Kind of like the perch is to fresh water kind of like the perch of the ocean waters in your area ?
That's one I never seen or heard about Professor: White Travally. I think the bluefins are the best tasting reef/surf fish I've had so far. Do you know what time a year they spawn?
Great thread buddy.
You're married right Steve? So is your wife a Maryann or more of a Ginger?
The white ones grow up to be the big ulua or giant trevally (GT for short).
I tried to take a nice picture of a blue fin trevally today to show you how pretty they are, but my phone case fogged up. Wish I knew how to fix that.
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/bluefin.jpg)
There are a lot of both species (plus yellow spot trevally and yellow stripe trevally) around the inshore and nearshore reefs and that's what a lot of people target. The young of the year are about 6-8 inches now and the photos above are both two year olds.
I think the white and blue ones spawn in the summer. The yellow stripe trevally with vertical bars must spawn earlier because I saw some last week that were only about three inches.
Mrs. Howell perhaps. Mr. Magoo is my hero add I strive to be just like him.
-steve
Quote from: oc1 on August 11, 2019, 05:44:44 AM
The white ones grow up to be the big ulua or giant trevally (GT for short).
I tried to take a nice picture of a blue fin trevally today to show you how pretty they are, but my phone case fogged up. Wish I knew how to fix that.
the mighty GT
its a bucket list fish for many, all fish from the trevally family are pure muscle and offer a great fight
btw, that blue trevally its a beautiful
Ya ! that is a very cool looking fish.
Steve I hope you dont take your access to the water you have there for granted. Dont believe you do based on your posts... Jeff
Steve I would be wrong to not comment on your cool rod and reel combinations/style. It never occurred to me that you could just lash a reel on, I like it. What I like more is your homemade kastmasters though, I have got to try that out for myself! I was looking around for stock within minutes of seeing your method but I don't have anything large enough to make a useful weight spoon. If I make anything passable I'll be sure to post some pics, with all of the much deserved credit going to you of course! Thanks for the inspiration.
Quote from: BrettS on August 14, 2019, 11:47:18 PM
I don't have anything large enough to make a useful weight spoon.
There's an invitation to spend some of your money for you Brett :) :) :)
McMaster Carr and I don't get along well but they do have some stuff.
https://www.mcmaster.com/316-stainless-round-bar (https://www.mcmaster.com/316-stainless-round-bar)
The old three ounce Weber Mr. Champ was cut from about 1.25 to 1.50 inch brass stock, about three inches long, and was then electroplated. Hopkins spoons are solid stainless. Brass and stainless have similar densities so the lure sizes are going to be about the same. Stainless is more difficult to cut. Anything is possible if you throw money at it.
-steve
In a desert-island situation, Steve is the one you want to be stuck with. 8)
Quote from: Decker on August 15, 2019, 04:39:52 PM
In a desert-island situation, Steve is the one you want to be stuck with. 8)
That's for sure!!
Steve, I haven't got the equipment to cut stainless. True about throwing money at it... sometimes, but I'd rather save it for gear that isn't gonna get snagged or cut off as often. I don't think I have the equipment for anything harder than brass, and I don't think I'll be getting into the electroplating game. Brass will work for gold as you have shown, have you tried polishing hot rolled steel for a silver color? From what I understand it would be manageable to cut. I know it would rust quick in the salt but maybe a couple dips in poly would keep it flashy till the toothy critters or the rocks get it?
Haven't tried steel or any kind of poly or clear coat. I wouldn't want to have to cut stainless either. What I have been doing is putting a piece of holographic (really should be called prismatic) tape with a fish scale pattern on both sides. It's from Jann's Netcraft. I don't know how long it will last, but it doesn't tarnish overnight so that's an improvement.
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/kastmasterT.jpg)
Trouble is, I can't catch anything but little dink reef fish like you would put in your aquarium.
A really pretty birdnose wrasse. They change sex in mid-life and this one is male already.
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/kastmasterV.jpg)
A roi or peacock grouper. They were discussed here before.
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/kastmasterW.jpg)
Moana, a type of goatfish.
(http://www.raingarden.us/snap/kastmasterX.jpg)
-steve
That holographic tape is a great solution.
On another note, FYI, Steve, your picture hosting site is blocked by my ad-blocker app. I have to pause it to see your images.
Steve,
Do those reels come out of gear to cast, or does the handle spin when casting?
PS - I'm sorry for bugging you so much about your gear lately! :)
Quote from: oc1 on August 16, 2019, 05:20:18 AM
.......They change sex in mid-life and this one is male already.
I though that was only a "thing" with the humans :D :D ;D
You're a funny dude Alex.
Chad, that's a Langley Target and they come out of gear. You pull the handle outward and the main gear moves away from the pinion. Sort of like the Penn 15.
Nelz, there are no ads, but you must have a pop-up blocker that prevents a larger version of the photo from coming up when you click on it. They are not hosted on AT. I don't know how to fix that. As a work-around, you can right click on the photo, then click "properties" at the bottom of the list, then cut and paste the URL address into a new window. You will get the full size photo then, but it is probably not worth the effort.
-steve
No need for all that Steve, I just pause the ad-blocker and then they appear.
Quote from: oc1 on August 16, 2019, 06:34:22 PM
Chad, that's a Langley Target and they come out of gear. You pull the handle outward and the main gear moves away from the pinion. Sort of like the Penn 15.
Ah, ok.
I now remember you mentioning that previously, thanks!
Quote from: Rivverrat on August 03, 2019, 02:56:23 PM
St. Croix does have some nice rods. I'm really liking this one of Steve's. It's sad that St. Croix no longer provides blanks for rod builders. Steve I'm really liking the idea of this knuckle buster. I've been meaning for some time to get another knuckle buster to fish on the river.
I was just on the St Croix website and they still do sell rod blanks. It's hard to find but once on their site search for rod blanks. Blanks are now sold exclusively through a distributor called Rod Geeks.