choosing a custom rod blank

I'm looking at the Calstar or Seeker blanks...any opinions?
 I watched Jim slay 'em with a seeker last week & liked the light tip & sturdy backbone combo of the seeker rod.

I'm thinking 7', medium heavy, line wt 40# braid. I'll be using this rod as my 'go-to" heavier setup for vertical jigging/ maybe some live bait

Hi Yakers:

  Pacific Bay is another Vendor to check if, you're trying to save money. Check with Eric K
for Intel.
                                                                          Sea-ya
                                                                          Ernie

I've owned / played around with Shimano Terramar, Lamiglas and GLoomis rods.  My go to favorite is now a factory Seeker Blue Lightning BCSW708-7'T for lures up to 4oz. I am not sure you can buy a blank only. 

Some blanks to consider:

Calstar 700XLH or Pacific Bay XG70L (Calstar 700XLH clone)

Calstar BTG870 (same as the GG rod series)

Lamiglas TXC841M (same as the factory TFX7030C)

The 700XLH is a great all around rockfish / bay rod.  Fast action with sensitive tip for live bait.  For jigging, probably up to 4 oz or so is the sweet spot.  I have a PacBay XG70L, which is a good clone of the 700XLH and it has been a workhorse for me over the years.

BTG870 has a more moderate action (great for spectra line) and lots of strength... can probably handle 6 oz jigs with ease... tip is not quite as sensititive as the 700XLH though.

Lamiglas TXC841M has extreme strength, stiff but moderate/fast action.  Probably the best for all around.

Any of these will make for great rods... it'll be a personal preference.

I know Dustin (Rockhopper) has the Factory version of the Lamiglas.  I will have a Pac Bay XG70L at Albion.

Excellent! Thanks Erik, that's just what I needed.

There are so many choices, and it's tough to pick one without holding it & feeling the action of the blank.

I've owned / played around with Shimano Terramar, Lamiglas and GLoomis rods.  My go to favorite is now a factory Seeker Blue Lightning BCSW708-7'T for lures up to 4oz. I am not sure you can buy a blank only. 

Blanks are available.  I got a Blue Lightening (mis-made in burgundy) in a 9 foot jigstick.  It's in this link, as well as teh jigs I made for wrapping (someone had asked me for pix of those a long time ago)  Sorry it has taken so long to post these

http://www.kayaksportfishing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=9593

Sean

I have a Calstar 700 XLH which I like. Made one for Etienne which he likes also. I can lend it to you next time we hookup if you want to try it before buying. I haven't been using it much because I have a 2 piece Lamiglas rod which casts better and is easier to store for surf launches.

Scott

Thanks Scott, if it works out I would like to just see what the rod action is like.

I think I'm leaning toward a "jig" style rod vs a "live bait" rod, but I'm still not 100%.
Jim is wrapping this rod as a Christmas present, and since he is most familiar with Seeker & CalStar I'll probably go with one of those makes.

So maybe the calstar graphiter GF700XLH. I was also looking at the Seeker CJBF70, which is a jig style.

Thanks Scott, if it works out I would like to just see what the rod action is like.

I think I'm leaning toward a "jig" style rod vs a "live bait" rod, but I'm still not 100%.
Jim is wrapping this rod as a Christmas present, and since he is most familiar with Seeker & CalStar I'll probably go with one of those makes.

So maybe the calstar graphiter GF700XLH. I was also looking at the Seeker CJBF70, which is a jig style.

Be sure to post up with the results of your search. I'm curious what you go with and how it turns out. I've been wanting to build up two rods for Mexico trips, one in the 20lb class and one in the 30 lb class. I was contemplating the GF700XLH paired with my Avet SX 6/4, and building the GF700M paired with an Avet MXL 6/4.

Scott and Eric...I am with Sean. I hate to buy w/o seeing. If you got some time at Albion I'd like to take a look.

Sean check out the "Seeker Hercules" inshore light! Its built in the thinner diameter with lots of reserve power.

Sean check out the "Seeker Hercules" inshore light! Its built in the thinner diameter with lots of reserve power.

oooh, yeah I wondered about those. I'll check them out, thanks Mark!

 I've been wanting to build up two rods for Mexico trips, one in the 20lb class and one in the 30 lb class. I was contemplating the GF700XLH paired with my Avet SX 6/4, and building the GF700M paired with an Avet MXL 6/4.

I've got my Avet SX 6/4 paired with a Seeker CLB 704 composite for 20# line.  Works great for the Lings, rockfish, Calicos...  It has a flexible tip but a stiff butt end.  My Avet MXL 6/4 with 30# is on a CalStar Graphfighter 700 ML, too stiff for the Lings and rockfish, but would be great in Mexico.  It's what I caught a Thresher on the other day.  My CalStar Grafighter 700 M is set up for using 40 to 50# leaders with an Avet JX.  I've used it fishing from pongas in Mexico.  It was great for casting irons for Yellowtail and Cabrilla.  I wrapped the Seeker and the 700 M.  Here are pictures, left to right, Seeker, 700 ML, 700M.  Have fun!

 I've been wanting to build up two rods for Mexico trips, one in the 20lb class and one in the 30 lb class. I was contemplating the GF700XLH paired with my Avet SX 6/4, and building the GF700M paired with an Avet MXL 6/4.

I've got my Avet SX 6/4 paired with a Seeker CLB 704 composite for 20# line.  Works great for the Lings, rockfish, Calicos...  It has a flexible tip but a stiff butt end.  My Avet MXL 6/4 with 30# is on a CalStar Graphfighter 700 ML, too stiff for the Lings and rockfish, but would be great in Mexico.  It's what I caught a Thresher on the other day.  My CalStar Grafighter 700 M is set up for using 40 to 50# leaders with an Avet JX.  I've used it fishing from pongas in Mexico.  It was great for casting irons for Yellowtail and Cabrilla.  I wrapped the Seeker and the 700 M.  Here are pictures, left to right, Seeker, 700 ML, 700M.  Have fun!

That's good info, thanks!

building the GF700M paired with an Avet MXL 6/4.

Jay -

Personally I think the GF 700M is too stiff to be used from a Kayak and I own one. If you wanted to use one, I would get a GF 800M and cut 6-9" off the butt to take the edge off or use the BTG 870. The heavier Grafighters are are designed for use on boats where you are standing up. For kayaks, lighter line and more flexible rods rule because the the kayak moves with big fish. If you are going to be panga fishing also, the GF 700 M would be a good choice. Just my 2 cents. BTW, miss fishing with you and the Mrs.

Scott