hoglaw Posted February 10, 2012 Posted February 10, 2012 Don't think you'll go wrong with any of those selections. Don't know much about flyrods, but I've been very pleased with MHX's blanks for casting and spinning. Batson makes outstanding blanks for sure, as does TF. I'd think that you'd want a more moderate action with big streamers though, but once again my fly knowledge is limited. One of the fly blank makers rates not just MF, F, XF, but on a scale of 1-12 or something. Maybe St. Croix? If you really want to spend the time and effort, demo a few "off the rack" 8wts, get the model number, and ask St. Croix which blank they used in it.
Jason R. Posted February 10, 2012 Posted February 10, 2012 I build a Lamiglas 8wt and it is sweet- but they don't make a 4 piece (which is stupid). Look at rodroom.com in the closeout section. Usually have some good deals and they are good southern folk and are easy to deal with. They have St. Croix, batson and lamiglas. I personally do not like how large the diameter is on most of those St. Croix blank/butt sections. http://flyinthesouth.com/
Outside Bend Posted February 10, 2012 Posted February 10, 2012 I've heard good things about the new TFO BVK- the blanks are pretty cheap, and you may want to look into them. <{{{><
Jason R. Posted February 10, 2012 Posted February 10, 2012 Bingo- they've got a SCV 9ft 8wt 4 piece blank for 90 bucks. http://flyinthesouth.com/
hoglaw Posted February 13, 2012 Posted February 13, 2012 I built two SCV blanks this winter - one football jig casting rod and I'm about to finish a shakey head spinning rod. They are very nice blanks.
Jason R. Posted February 27, 2012 Posted February 27, 2012 Bump- what did you go with man? Don't leave us hanging. I think the last few parts for my BVK 6wt will be coming in this week so (if I can figure out how) I will post some pics of it... you know if I don't ruin a perfectly good blank with my junk rod building skills. Hey hoglaw- would you suggest using single foot wire guides on a 6wt- i am a little worried about durability. http://flyinthesouth.com/
Wayne SW/MO Posted February 27, 2012 Posted February 27, 2012 I have a Scott 6 wt with single foot guides, it's 25 years old and no problems yet. Today's release is tomorrows gift to another fisherman.
Kayser Posted February 28, 2012 Author Posted February 28, 2012 Well, I haven't bought anything yet (friend said "Jamaica!" a couple weeks ago, so I re-purposed some money), but I'm looking at the MHX 9' 4pc 8wt. Link to Blank Gonna go with a full wells grip, with fighting butt, aluminum reel seat (link), Fuji flip-down hook keeper, fuji stripping guides, and recoil (flex-foot) snakefoot guides. The blank color is listed as "slate," so I think that reel seat will go well with it. And other than streamers/bass poppers, what is there to throw with an 8wt? That makes me think the fast action will be fine for this application (despite my love for my BIIx 4wt and it's slower action) This is meant to be a big rod for tackling big fish with big flies. Also going with a Ross Flyrise reel (thank you Hargrove's, and your salesmanship)- I like the large arbor and the smooth drag on it. I'm still looking for a line. Thinking a WF-F, hopefully in some stealth-ish color, and then getting some sinking leaders to go with it when the need arises. I think I've also got a Fast Sink line laying around in one of my cabinets somewhere, so I'll be finding another spool to go with the reel... Price totals yet to come (with reel, spool, and line). Not looking forward to it.... Rob WARNING!! Comments to be interpreted at own risk. Time spent fishing is never wasted.
Kayser Posted February 28, 2012 Author Posted February 28, 2012 Update- Prices! Blank- $132, Components- $75-$125 (upper end is what I want most...) Reel, spool, + line- $254 (assuming $75 for line) Total- a very painful $460-$514. Probably closer to $500... It looks like the blank is actually the lowest cost of this entire project. But the most expensive part (reel+line) would be transferable to a better rod if that opportunity ever arose. Or maybe I should just look for a good blank right now and be done with it forever. Back to the blank hunt, I guess... WARNING!! Comments to be interpreted at own risk. Time spent fishing is never wasted.
hoglaw Posted February 29, 2012 Posted February 29, 2012 Ugh, I'm not really that knowledgable about fly guides. But, I can tell you that I don't hesitate to use single foot guides on spiral wrapped baitcast rods where most of your off the rack rods have double foot guides. Check out rodbuilding.org and they may have some advice there. I would imagine that you wouldn't have a problem with them as long as you use appropriate thread tension and a forhan locking wrap. I've yet to have a guide pull out. If you do have a guide fail, it will certainly not be from ordinary fishing conditions, casting, or even tangling line around a guide. Properly wrapped guides pull out from abuse, not use.
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