Mo

I assume you're referring to Dan Craft's blanks?

If so, I have not used them. Heard very good things though. I really don't do much with fly rods so have had no opportunity to use the DC blanks. And the last I checked, that was all that was available from DC.

I love the Loomis's. Just wish they actually spined their rods.

Pudd - No one is spining their rods, except the custom guy. Its a step that the rod companies don't want to deal with. You should see how fast the handles get put on those rods!

First and foremost...forget that M and ML terminology when comparing rods. There is no industry standard when it comes to power ratings. Companies can do what ever they want to do. So one companies ML can be the same as another M. Or worse. Look to the actual weight ratings they list on the blank. T...

Mattman, I'm dithering between size 5 and size 6 fly guides for the upper half of my rod. A few have said with 2-4 lb diameter lines, I can use size 5 without any detrimental effect. It would sure be even that much lighter than size 6. You should be able to get by with 5's. I don't use them as my l...

I would agree that there is a point of diminishing return when it comes to length. I’ve not pushed that envelope. I certainly feel that it is somewhere past 7’. Given the lightness of tips and the lack of need for large butt diameters, I suspect that anything much over 8’ will s...

I agree with Canbass. Casting distance will be helped, no matter what line, with longer rods and larger spool faces. A Moderate to Slow action rod will load easier under lighter weights propelling your lure further. Longer rods will generate more tip speed on the cast propelling your lure further. L...

Fireline comes in 4 pound test/1 pound diameter. Flat tape rejected? Why? It's still significantly smaller, limper and more managable than monofilimants. Again, I don't believe more drag is created here. The 4 pound line is of a waxy nature and is still smaller in diameter than 4 pound mono. When ne...

BUT we want longer cast and higher capacity. We are going for trout with UL reels and thus want to say in the 2 lb test range. This is just begging for a superline. Add to that the memory issue. But why 10 pound test? Why aren't you using 2 pound test superline if you'd use 2 pound test mono? If a ...

Sounds like Walleye applications. I don't use casting reels for those techniques so I'm not terribly up on those models. However, you're going to want a reel with a Flippin' Switch. A Flippin' Switch is going to allow you to quickly and easily adjust the depth your bait is at. I have a Browning A3 w...

I think you've made some good selections there. The ULF is a dynamite Panfish/Trout blank. Truthfully, hard to beat that option. The ML is a very popular Smallie rod with my customers. I've built quite a few of them. A St. Croix MH is a great choice for Bass. Not much of a Muskie blank, but could do...

5 years ago, or so, I picked up a lure in a clearance bin somewhere. It was a Yo-Zuri topwater bait. They don't make it anymore but it was shaped kinda like their Surface Bull GT. And it had feathers coming out the sides. The thing sat in my tackle box for ever. Then 2 years ago on a whim I tied it ...

With today's graphite and ferruling technology 2-piece rods are much more acceptable. They don't turn into dead sticks like they did in the past with the metal ferrules. Today I suspect you will only loose a minute amount of sensitivity, but nothing the human hand could detect. I always opt for the ...

Bought a Biomaster last summer. Own 2 others. How well do they wrap line(level). Very well. It lays line in a heavy cross to eliminate that superline dig in you can get with other reels. Excellent line roller also! Zero line twist problems. Are they excellent casting ? Yes Is there a maintenance por...

I personally prefer the 82 over the 02. As I said above, with the dramatic tapers Loomis has in their SJ series, the 6 footers tend to feel quite stout and I do know of guys that step down in power class when picking a rod because of that. 1/4 ounce jigs/tubes are perfect for that 782 rod. I have a ...

The CR842-2 would be a good option. As a matter of fact, that is a blank that I would recommend for a custom. They use the same blank for their Spinning 842-2. I have one of those personally and it is a great big Panfish/Trout rod. I guess if you are looking for some more precision then I would step...