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Post by Fruin on Mar 9, 2006 9:53:24 GMT
Has anybody tried rods built from these blanks? They seem to get good press in the States but I have never seen them here.
They come in at an excellent price and sound ideal for building a rod specifically for shooting heads (14ft 9/10).
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Post by Len on Apr 1, 2006 20:05:00 GMT
8-)just built up the 14' 9/10, tried it for a short time last week, throws a micheal evans 9/11 intermediate no problem, tried a couple of casts with the old 8/9 xlt last thing but tried it out in a bad position, wind into my face with no room at the back to get a decent speycast , loop kept catching on the trees, still 30yds plus, will have to wait til spey in june to give it a thougher work out.
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Post by Fruin on Apr 2, 2006 13:15:28 GMT
Thanks for that Len. I was thinking about ordering one up to build specifically for throwing shooting heads.
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Post by davewallbridge on Apr 3, 2006 22:06:07 GMT
How about the Batson 'Forecast' blanks ? has anyone heard how they perform ?
I've built a couple of multi-piece trout rods on Forecast blanks and was surprised to find that, considering their ultra budget price, the rods turned out to be pretty good.
Be interested to hear if anyone has built up a salmon blank.
Dave.
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Post by Fruin on Apr 4, 2006 12:56:10 GMT
Dave, The blanks in question are from the Forecast range, which seems to be the budget range. I've never built on any of the companies blanks, but only seem to hear good things about them. I'm looking for two blanks just now, one from CTS and the other from Batson/Forecast. Unfortunately, I have to sell some stuff in order to justify more purchases to the wife  |
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Post by davewallbridge on Apr 4, 2006 13:47:35 GMT
Fruin,
I thought the rods/blanks under discussion were the Batson 'Rainshadow' and these, as you probably know are a step up, cost-wise, to the 'Forecast' range.
Sorry if I caused some confusion.
The trout blanks make a rod that is slightly more tip than mid to tip and have a reasonable recovery speed. I've handled some rods in £120 - £180 price range that did not have better actions. The people I made them for are pleased with the result as am I with mine.
If their 'Spey' blanks offer a similar action that would suit me fine.
Dave.
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Post by Fruin on Apr 4, 2006 13:55:01 GMT
Dave,
I think it was myself that caused the confusion with the title of the thread.
I have carried out a bit of research and from what I have learned I would say that the blanks have an action more akin to the modern styles of spey casting than the traditional (i.e. probably better for chucking shorter head lengths). Also, the blanks appear to be rated on the light side and you should go up one line size from that stated on the blank.
If I decide to get one I'll let you know how it performs once I've built it up, unless you build one first!
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Post by J on Apr 8, 2006 15:18:09 GMT
I've built a 14' 9/10 Forecast and it's heading out for it's maiden voyage next week.
I'll let you know how I get on.
J
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Post by J on Apr 20, 2006 17:21:20 GMT
Well I can confidently state that these blanks are FANTASTIC. It feels very light and punches out an elegant line. I used it most of last week in preference to my 15' Norway.
A couple of Gillies tried the rod and casually stated how nice it was to cast. -I'll be building a couple more
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Post by Fruin on Apr 20, 2006 19:43:32 GMT
J,
Okay, I'm almost sold on getting one of the blanks. Just one question - what line(s) did you try it with?
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Post by davewallbridge on Apr 22, 2006 9:15:33 GMT
I too would be interested to hear what weight/make line worked best.
Were you using the regular Spey cast, underhand or overhead ?
Dave.
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Post by J on Apr 24, 2006 9:42:55 GMT
Im afraid I only tried it with an Ian Gordon medium sinker, with a fairly short head. The line was rated 10/11 as I bought it with the intention of using it mostly with my Norway. I needed to roll cast each time to bring the line to the surface, then most of my casts were single spey. I found it could overhead quite nicely as well and loaded perfectly on the colour change. I am not a very experienced spey caster so my opinion is to be taken cautiously, but it did make me feel like a better caster as well as more consistent. The gillies seemed to like it as well. J  |
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Post by j on May 1, 2006 11:28:55 GMT
Thats me signed up then J |
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Post by j on May 2, 2006 16:30:38 GMT
Thanks Springer This thursday I'll be taking the Batson out to the Kola Peninsula for the season, along with my Norway. Theres no internet out there so I'll give a thorough review when I'm back. J ;D |
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Post by j on May 2, 2006 18:35:35 GMT
Nope, I got it ;D
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