A question for you salty sailors, fly fishing out of boats. What length and weight fly rods do you prefere for both trout and larger fish? Do you typically take more than one out when you go? Are you interested in glass rods or graphite only?
The reason I'm asking these questions is, I'm a hobbyist rodbuilder. I build for something to do in the Winter months. I do sell a few but for only the material cost to keep it fun. I think I made a grand total of $50 after three sales last year. If I tried to charge for the labor involved,, they'd be unaffordable. Building them is satisfying but trying to sell them really sucks. Anyway I regress. I'm wanting to buy some NFC Iconoglass blanks this year and wondered if it should be 6,8,or 10 weights. Because of the superior lifting ability of these glass rods, I really consider them boat rods. Hence the questions.
Not sure I'd call it a "market" but tuna might where there's a need for shorter, tougher rods. That was the idea when @veilside180sx built me a tuna boat rod on a Lami 7' hybrid graphite/glass blank normally used as a plug trolling rod. It's basically a slingshot for short/heavy heads and works great for that. So far I haven't broken it!
With your high sticking…that’s a pretty amazing feat. Lol
The Iconoglass blanks are great for the $. I wouldn't limit them to boat rods though.
You can also have him put a third handle up by the stripping guide.Yeah, well, l have you know my high-sticking (and that rod) is marginally, and very temporarily famous, on a localized regional basis .
I knew I was pushing the limits of that stick but had no idea how bad until I saw this pic. Love that rod, but if you built me another, I'd go with the next size up.
Yeah one of my main reasons for not preferring fly rods for tuna on my boat is that I hate fighting them on the 9' rod. It just isn't that fun for me. If I had a 7-8' rod, I'd definitely enjoy it more.Not sure I'd call it a "market" but tuna might where there's a need for shorter, tougher rods. That was the idea when @veilside180sx built me a tuna boat rod on a Lami 7' hybrid graphite/glass blank normally used as a plug trolling rod. It's basically a slingshot for short/heavy heads and works great for that. So far I haven't broken it!
I know you're being Mister Smarty Pants, but strangely, I kinda like the idea!You can also have him put a third handle up by the stripping guide.
No. Fork Composites had a sale a couple weeks ago. Buy an Iconoglass blank and get a flor-grade cork grip and fighting butt for free, plus free shipping. I bought four. I'll keep busy this Winter..The reason I'm asking these questions is, I'm a hobbyist rodbuilder. I build for something to do in the Winter months. I do sell a few but for only the material cost to keep it fun. I think I made a grand total of $50 after three sales last year. If I tried to charge for the labor involved,, they'd be unaffordable. Building them is satisfying but trying to sell them really sucks. Anyway I regress. I'm wanting to buy some NFC Iconoglass blanks this year and wondered if it should be 6,8,or 10 weights. Because of the superior lifting ability of these glass rods, I really consider them boat rods. Hence the questions.
Yeah one of my main reasons for not preferring fly rods for tuna on my boat is that I hate fighting them on the 9' rod. It just isn't that fun for me. If I had a 7-8' rod, I'd definitely enjoy it more.
I keep forgetting what the exact blank the rod you built is, but it's close to ideal for a tuna boat rod. Love the flexibility and toughness of glass for this fishery. It loads great when casting the heavy lines, and is (obviously) super forgiving in combat. If you find a similar blank that's 6" longer and with a bit more stiffness in the butt, let me know because I'll want one.I’m always looking for alternative blanks. So far the striper trolling blanks work decent, but i do want to find a possible graphite alternative.
This is the rod the blanks are from.I keep forgetting what the exact blank the rod you built is, but it's close to ideal for a tuna boat rod. Love the flexibility and toughness of glass for this fishery. It loads great when casting the heavy lines, and is (obviously) super forgiving in combat. If you find a similar blank that's 6" longer and with a bit more stiffness in the butt, let me know because I'll want one.