My new Canal Rod Blank just came in. this is the one I posted about earlier which is autoclaved (Hot Isostatically pressed?)


Its awesome , very powerful , I bet it could handle 8 without breaking but tops for me jigging is 5 so that's easy. Hope it loads well with 3 OZ also since that's my bread and butter , I'm going to try to have it built for the MSBA Show. Biggest decision is going to be how long to cut it. The tip won't get touched but the butt is not tapered so I can cut it anywhere I want. Currently I use 10 feet. I know I can handle 10'6" cause the 1266 Smokey uses is 10'6". I am tempted to go 11 feet. Its currently just under 12 but that's pretty long.

Anyway , a new toy for this season! :)

I like to play with small numbers on my rods, 10ish 11ish ect. 10'10'' has a nice ring to it :) can you load that much there?

It's sound's like a nice stick.
for the Canal mine is 10'1/2" & rated 4-8oz.It loads real nice.

Saltheart,

" I am tempted to go 11 feet. "


How I see it.

I usually use 10' and a 10 1/2 ' at the canal. 11' is ok if I'm @ Pip's where I can level that sucker out behind me or if I'm wearing boots and standing in a place far enough out in the water and away from the rocks. But 11' cramps things up if you're standing ON the rocks with that bank climbing up behind you - doesn't seem like much, but the 11' cramps up the whole swing under those conditions.

Where you fish ( I think I've got that down pretty well
;) ) , I wouldn't push it over 10 1/2.

Where he fishes, 10-1/2 was a real load before they cut down all the brush. Especially right at the top of the tide.

I liked 9-1/2 there. Now, you can easily throw an 11'. You don't have to cast all that far at his place ;)

Even 10 and sometimes 9 catches the b u s h es there. I was even thinking 11 might reach over the b u s h e s there.. ?? :confused:

Tough decision. I could build it 11 and try it out then move things if I want to cut off 6 inches.

Be nice to have the 11 feet at the bottom of the tide though!! I guess I better really think about this. best bet wiould be to figure a way to try 11 and cut it more if needed. I could build it and go try it. before putting finish on. Easy thing to move the guide if they have no finish yet.

Always more complicated than anticipated!!

Btw Mike and Jim , we only fish there about 40% of the time now. We got another place for every other week cause we like it going right left somewhere else. We like that place going west but the other when its going east. We also fish odd places about 20% because of all the rifraf that has moved into that area. Too bad , if people knew what the heck they were doing we could all fish there no problem. Tons of new guys last year really gumming up the works at that spot. had one guy could only cast 30 yards , all 30 was over other peoples lines!! :)

I'll have to let you guys know where we go a lot now when I see you. Don't want to post it .

Mike P,

"Now, you can easily throw an 11'. You don't have to cast all that far at his place "

MY PLACE??? Hardly. Only "MY place" @ 3:00am........, in the rain...........and the cold. :p The thing with that spot is at low
( standing in the H2O as far as possible) an 11'er would be ok. It's at High that things get gummed up there and at most places.

Blong and I discussed handlining last year - maybe throwin' a jig out there the way David threw at Goliath..
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.but then we both bought Saltigas.
:rolleyes:

Where you fish ( I think I've got that down pretty well
) , I wouldn't push it over 10 :af:

" KEEP OUT OF THE B.U.S.H.E.S"

do it 11 Mike and just tape the guides on and try it out that way.
tough call

Whatever you do Mike, I hope to see you at the show so I can have a look. Sounds interesting as Hell.

We are going to the show on saturday. Which day are you going Jim?

Mike,

I'm shootin' for Sat morning, but it depends on if I'm ahead or behind the 8 ball @ the office. I've only made it one in the last three years.:mad:

I dunno Jim, now that they cleared all that brush, I'm throwing my 10-6 Arra there with ease, even at high tide.

Assuming Mike still fishes in "that place" ;)

Mike,

Got a new plan ( and a new reel) this year.......
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. gonna try and hit the that spot from the other side. ;)

Yep , "that" spot. :)

The weights thrown there would certainley lend itself well to an 11 fter.I hear ya on the high tide thing.Why not make a high tide an a low tide rod.if it really becomes ur favorite u can chop it up later.Mike what do u think u can do one for.for me I mean.I just can't help myself when it comes to rods.

I needs to get me one, that thing feels like it will chuck a clam belly and a sinker a mile.........;)

Seriously, saw the blank yesterday, MAN IS THAT THING POWERFUL!!!!!!

NIB , with all Fuji components , I think its gonna be about $370 for one of these custom made. I may be able to do a little better if I can order several blanks at a time but that may only mean about $10 difference.

I know I was very happy when I pulled the blank out of the shipping tube. This thing is awesome and really feels perfect for canal weight jigs.

Mike,

STOP. You're makin' me crazy.

I'm also going crazy having it but not being able to go out and play with it!! :)

Rod is done except for the tip. The one I got the tube was too small. Not a fancy rod but basic black to get it done in time for Saturdays show. I'll have it with me. I settled on 10 feet 10 inches which is the longest I can get in my blazer with the two pieces together. Nice meaty handle to grab which should help the hands .