What are good cheap fly rod blanks

[msteudel]

Someone mentioned that Tiger Blanks are fairly good blanks for the money (they seem to average around 30 - 50 bucks for a blank). On a site I found that they were selling powell rod blanks for 40% off ... Haven't a clue as to what are good blanks and bad blanks ...

I'd like to try and build another rod for cheap, so what are cheap, yet fairly good blanks to buy? And places to buy them from?

Mark

[msteudel]

Also what's the difference between a freshwater blank and a saltwater blank?

[KerryS]

http://www.batsonenterprises.com/

Try the above link. Not sure what you consider cheap. I would not consider Rainshadow blanks cheap but they might be the best value around. If you want to spend less money look at thier Forecast line. And they are made right here in Washington.

[Rob Blomquist]

Well, when I say cheap blanks, I mean inexpensive.

Rainshadow IM7 blanks are nice medium flex blanks, as I hear the Tiger Eyes are.

Rainshadow XCEL blanks are not dirt cheap, but they make the price of Sage XPs seem over inflated. And they are fast taper rocket launchers.

Then, you can stoop to rod-blanks.com rod blanks, at $15 each, they are dirt cheap, they are ok blanks, but not great in my opinion.

If you want to try before you buy, then check out www.gregscustomrods.com. And if you want to read more than our opinions of rods, then check out www.rodbuilding.org.

Rob

[Dblhaul]

Hi Mark,

You may want to also check our www.dancraftent.com

Dan offers a wide range of high quality rods, blanks and accessories at very reasonable prices. He also is very happy to provide assistance over the phone or by email.

Hope this helps !

Steve

[Nailknot]

I have a "Sig IV" Dan Craft in a 6 that Metalhead built- it's a sweet stick. Very similar to XP, but lighter.

[Old Man]

Yes he does build sweet rods. He made one for me out of a St Croix Avid blank into a sweet 8wt.

Jim

[sanjuanmaster1]

THE ST. CROIX ULTRA LEGEND IS A GOOD FAST ACTION BLANK. I BUILT ONE FOR MYSELF AND ONE FOR A FRIEND OF MINE AND WE BOTH REALLY LIKE THEM. $100 TO $150 DEPENDING ON THE WEIGHT.

[lotech joe]

I'll second the Batson Enterprises rods. I'm personally considering the Forecast line for my first endeavor. I's a lower modulus blank, and perhaps just the ticket for a slower casting oldtimer like me.
Lotech Joe

[JRSly]

I think H&H is having some sales on blanks like the St. Croix SCIV and SCV blanks. I love St Croix rods, I have two (9' 8WT SCIV, and a 14' 9/10WT), and I have built two (the 9' 8WT, and a 8'6" 5WT SCIV for one of my friends). I really do enjoy them all. They also do have some others on sale, check it out.

http://www.hookhack.com/

JRSly

[Rob Blomquist]

One thing to consider is the Greg's Custom Rods sells Rainshadow Seconds for $20 at the last 2 Puyallup Fishing/Hunting Shows. These are the IM7 series rods and are quite nice medium-medium fast action rods. And there is little wrong with them as seconds, I have a 4 wt that I fish from these rods, and I love it.