Looking for Bait Casting rod recommendations

[Gavin]

North fork Composites makes short casting blanks. I love my 5’6” with a 5” grip. Great canoe rod.

[moguy1973]

If you want a shorter rod, Lews makes a TP-1 Speed stick in M/H that is only 5'9" long.  I have this rod in a spinning rod and it's a great rod for $100.

[176champion]

18 minutes ago, Gavin said:

North fork Composites makes short casting blanks. I love my 5’6” with a 5” grip. Great canoe rod.

I ordered 2 blanks from them 6 weeks ago and havent received them...i would order from mud hole.

[Gavin]

Mud hole is the place 2 go. Shipping is expensive so order all at once. Have really liked the blanks from Batson/Rainshadow as well.

[176champion]

Just order the whole kit...anything over 99 bucks ships free....I like the MHX series rods..have built a couple of the mag tapper rods and i have built one 8 foot MHX blend rod which is very sensitive that is my crank bait rod, all rods are built spiral wrap..

[timinmo]

Like Gavin I really like my 5'6" NFC rod and have another in the closet to build.  Getting stuff from them seems problematic at this point and while I really like the product the delivery leaves something to be desired.  This is a shame as every rod I have built on their blanks is a joy to fish with.  My earlier replies are based on my understanding that Ham wanted a production rod.  I think there are several available that meet the guide lines he listed.  Obviously if he chooses to build himself or have one custom built, he can get exactly what he wants.  I think there is a shop in Mountain Home that builds rods, mainly fly rods, but I'm sure they would build other types as well.  Good luck in your search.

[Ham]

A pistol grip would be OK, but not necessary 

[Quillback]

St Croix Premier series has some shorter pistol grip rods.  BPS has a few models, ST Croix website has the whole series.  Reasonably priced with a good warranty.  I don't have any Premier models, so I can't offer any experience with them.  You can call St Croix and I bet they will give you the lowdown on them.

[mixermarkb]

Falcon Cara or Low rider AOY. It's a 6'8", medium heavy, has a shorter than most split grip handle, and MF taper. I LOVE this rod for roll casting spinnerbaits, and also use it for squarebills around cover, as well as spooks, and even jerkbaits. It's a very, very versatile rod, with enough backbone to move a fish, and enough give to keep a fish pinned on treble hooked baits.

If I had the money, I'd buy a second one. I really could be very happy with 2 of those, a great finesse jig rod, a Carolina rig rod, and a wiggle wart rod and get rid of about 8 or 10 "technique specific" rods that sit in the boat or on the rack. 

[Ham]

I’ll defknitely keep that in mind Mark.