Phenix Abyss 808 - 20 Years of Rod Building

I built my first rod 20 years ago, a Calstar 270-7 which I matched with a Newell P 322-F and 20# Izorline mono. I slayed a lot of tuna with that rig and I still use it for flyline WSB. I bought the blank from Steve Volkers at the Rod Rack in Hayward. Steve gave me lots of tips over the years and he answered just about any question with 2 answers; "you can" or "some people do".  Lots of things have changed over the years but the old E glass rods by Calstar and Seeker matched with Newells can still get the job done.

This year I decided to build a long distance casting rod to toss sardines, swimbaits and surface iron for stripers, halis, lings and jurel. I have trouble getting distance from the sitting position in a kayak. I wanted an 8' rod which was as light as possible and had a moderate fast action. I ended up buying a Phenix Abyss blank which is 8' and is rated 15-40#. It is constructed as a Toray Graphite/Super S-Glass composite with a lazer etched finish, and a traditional west coast action for casting bait and surface iron. I decided to build it as a spinning rod since I had a PennLive Liner which was needing a worthy partner. I used a Pac Bay Channel Lock aluminum reel seat and Fuji Alconite concept guides and a Fuji SIC wrap over tip. A lot different than the SS rings and E glass blanks of 20 years ago. Well I finished the rod 2 weeks ago and it is really nice. My only complaint is that it was advertised as having a size 8 tip but it really is a size 9.  Casts great and has a nice parabolic action and plenty of lifting power. A little heavier in the hand than I thought it would be but lighter than my Calstar 800 ML which I cut down to a 760. If you wanted a dedicated surface iron stick, I would go with a 9'.

Nice work Scott.

No way, I was buying blanks and guides and thread and epoxy etc. from Steve when he was in Castro Valley. I remember when he moved to B Street. What a great guy, always had some good info on socal or long range fishing or rod building. I still have a couple of unbuilt blanks from him. I think I'll build one up next week. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Nice stick too. I need one of those for YT on the iron.

Scott, if that one doesn't work out the way you want, I'm sure your next version will be spot on.

Howard

God, I miss the Rod Rack. Always feels a little like gambling when I pick up a blank on the internet.

Interesting pattern on that Abyss. Nice looking rod.

God, I miss the Rod Rack. Always feels a little like gambling when I pick up a blank on the internet.

+1 on that.

Thx for sharing that build Scott. I have no such talent, very jealous

God, I miss the Rod Rack. Always feels a little like gambling when I pick up a blank on the internet.

Interesting pattern on that Abyss. Nice looking rod.

Yeah, I really miss Steve and the Rod Rack. Not only to check out the blanks before buying but to get the tip size matched correctly. The Abyss was advertised as a size 8 tip was actually a size 9. Had the same issue with a Seeker Hercules blank last year. That one was close enough so I sanded it down. The Abyss blank has a lazer etched finish which looks like a broken windshield.  Personally, plain black gloss would have been fine with me, but it does have an interesting look to it. The finish does make the decal hard to read. Phenix is another SCAL company and based on the Abyss blank I bought, the production standards and design are equal to Calstar and Seeker. Their all graphite Black Diamond production rods are very popular down south for jig tossing. Very light weight but too stiff for my casting preferences.

Beautiful work Scott.  You are giving me ideas for rods that I want to build.

Beautiful work Scott.  You are giving me ideas for rods that I want to build.

Jarod

Check out the MHX Muskie/Saltwater kits at Mudhole.com. I built one for PIF last year and for the money, I don't think there is a better value. They are little faster action than I like but really light weight and pretty good quality and you will end up with a $120 rod which is better than any $120 production rod. Congrats on the rod you built last year. I heard it came out good.

Scott

Very nice build.

I should have read this thread last week. I'm looking to build a rod for about the same purpose. My brother (Bob @ therodwerx.com) was down south with Jeff (Phenix rod designer/partner) for the weekend and I had him looking through Jeff's private stash for my blank. Haven't heard which blank they ended up with, would be interesting if they picked the same 808 (I'm leaning toward 807, 12-30 range).

Doug

I used it yesterday casting 3 oz 6 1/2" swimbaits for lings and it is a sweet rod. Really nice lifting power and can handle pelagics to 100# without a problem. Broke it in on a nice pair of jumbo lings. I wish it was lighter but can't complain.

Great looking rod Scott.

   I'd like to find a good rod wrapper (Rodsmith) if anyone knows of a used one for sale.

Quality work--I appreciate the valuable insight too. Thanks Scott and everybody else.

Nice guide wraps man on both rods. I too really like glass rods and will be builing a few 196's or maybe some gators for drifitng. A buddy of mine kills hali and wsb on the drift with a light action ugly stick. 

I will be building a phenix next if I ever have the money. Any expierence with the lighter phenix rods like say an 8-15# class? Also what type of thread and finish do you prefer? I use gudebrod and diamond 2 and am a little unsatisfied with the d2 due to cracking on a few rods at the guide feet.

 I built a rainshadow RX6 10-25# that I really like. Infact the rainshadow replaced my 6' grafighter as my light jigging rod and I have nailed quite a few nice fish on it and it has done real well. I think the topless mermaid sticker on the rod is key.