I have a 4-8lb bait casting rod and wanted one slightly lighter, I dug up the stock of blanks that I have and I found what I needed... a 2-6lb, 6'6" North fork composite blank.
Since the 4-8lb rod was using Fuji skeleton reel seat, I wanted something different. Getting bored of Fuji components and so I planned to use components of other brands.
This skeleton reel seat is from Sea-Guide. Looks kind of unique but I took me awhile figuring how to mount it on the blank, until I saw the similar reel seat being used by a rod builder from USA.
I mean seeing is one thing, but I still have to find the suitable material to use for the installation of the reel seat.
Elevation view of the reel seat mounted on the blank for test fitting
Bottom view.
Reel seat aluminum trim and a small straight EVA rear grip on the reel seat.
The handle set up before epoxy.
I made some changes at the fighting butt to make it more interesting. The earlier version was just too plain.
Then I decided on the hood. Plain carbon tube with silver aluminum trim to finish off at the top.
The guides are from ALPS. Titanium frame SiC ring micro guides size #4.5 - #6.
On with the rod decal.
And epoxy.
The guides wrapped. I only put up the guides after getting the decal done.
That's the first coat.
Final coating.
ALPS butt cap
The handle
Completed rod with micro guides.
Just a quick update on the rod testing..
I was using a 4lb fire line in the Quantum Smoke reel.
Tested with LC Wander 60 (6.2 grams) and a few other micro lures and have no problem casting 5 grams to 14 grams lure.
Caught this peacock bass on a spin fly .
