HOIST-N-HAWGS

I'm looking to build my 1st rod and putting together the list. I would like this rod to be a mat punching/small swimbait rod,Matt lures/6" Hudds, say from 1oz to 2 1/2 or 3oz rating. There's a local company that carries Rainshadow blanks and they seem to more closely mimic the Shimano Cumara & ST Croix Avid blanks I'm used to more closely then any other blank they carry. #1) Is anyone fimilar w/Rainshodow blanks? #2) Should I be looking for a more stought blank for these applications? #3) Someone recommended using a lite fly epoxy on the entire blank and flex coat lite on the guides and eyes. Do I really need to put an epoxy on the etire blank? I'm very partial to the Matte finish. Last ?, I've noticed St Croix uses a heavy thread w/an overlay of tape for their wraps. I've been using a grade "A" nylon thread for my wraps. Is the St Croix wrap any better vs just the thread and do they do it just for mass production purposes? As always thank you for your time and input!

Thanks for the clarification Eddie Nice looking set up you got there. I gotta clean out the basement and give myself a decent work area. I've always heard how hard and tedious rod building/modification was. But for me it's been very satisfying as well as relaxing. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

Looks like you even had a little Captain in ya as well. Ooooooooh, this one's to easy, I'll hold back ;D

EJ, being a rod building virgin I'm wondering if I'm reading your explination correctly. Are you thinning the feet in order to make for an easier transition w/the thread from the balnk to the guide? Thanks, Paul

Your not looking to big or cool in this pic, on the right at the very end ;D Go ahead and try to tell me that ain't you

Extremely appreciated

Fishing out of a boat and always artificial Lake Gibson ,Lake Agnes & Mud lake. Appreciate the help FishinDaddy

Hi guys, I'll be hiiting the Plok county area for6 days sarting 1/5/09. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind offering some info on what pattern the bass will be in. I readsomewhere they are already starting to make beds. Which sounds so wierd to me being up north in New England. Thanks for your help Paul

Hey Alan, here's a few links w/everything you'll need. Though Picasso and Revenge jig head design & paint jobs are hard to beat,you can get them undressed and tie your own skirts. But here are some other links as well. You can also get Picasso heads,undressed from Northern Bass supply, $7.00 shipping and on your door step the next day. Good luck! http://www.staminainc.com/jigs_bass/weedlessflippin_jig.html http://www.lurecraft.com/catalog.cfm/materials-~and~-tools/lure-~and~-jig-paint http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/flipping-jig-heads/ http://www.nbswebstore.com/cgi-bin/web_store/web_store.cgi http://www.picassooutdoors.com/cart.php?target=product&product_id=66&category_id=17 http://www.barlowstackle.com/acb/showprod.cfm?&DID=6&CATID=111&ObjectGroup_ID=659

There is a slight bit of noticable difference in weight when removing the cork on the handle in addition to the foregrip on the Avid, more noticable on the Crucial swimbait rod. Yet, that wasn't my personal reason for removing the cork. #1) Multiple contact points w/blank on the Avid #2) Comfort, both rods. #3) Personal preference w/the spit grips over full cork. #4) Both rods were guinue pigs for my 1st attempt at a rod build from scratch. I had the Avid up for sale for around $70, so it was a no brainer, though the Crucial Swimbait set-up, took a little more courage. As someone pointed out, the modifications will most likely void the warranty on the rod. I'm not to worried about the warranty. If I break an eye or guide, I can fix it myself now. If I snap one in half, I blame it on my other personalty and make him pay for it. ;D

Very cool low cost set-up ej! I may steal that one!

Thanks guys! More to come. Now that I've started I just can't stop! ;D

I just used low luster or satin finish paints and clear coated. No airgun being used, very low cost set-up, ;D yet an airgun will be my next purchase. I painted a few lures by hand and some just using spray cans a few years back, and I was extremely surprised how well the finish held up(2 seasons or more). So I did it again useing acrylic latex(brushed by hand) for plastics, and enamel(spray cans,Krylon indoor/outdoor) for wood, but took my time.

Bump

I don't like the high gloss finishes, so I went with Satin. This is getting addicting as well! Buzzjets; Dark Trout Pircherel Pike/Perch/Pickerel 7" Slammer; Bleeding shad

Finally complete, including my 1st guide wrap.. Thanks again for all your help! Now on to the Crucial swimbait rod ;D

Seriously? :-? That sucks man! In that case, you should have just had them turn it into a "Big Daddy Diesel" sheath.

with cheerleaders

Hows your hole healing, you jacked up freak ;D

Thanks Flech, it's probably a good thing I misplaced my drumell. ;D I took a pair of metal snips to to the lip and the check popped off the rod like a loaded spring. Looks good and I thank you again for your help. Now I need to learn how to wrap a guide. Once complete I'll post the pic's, don't think I could have done it with eveyones help

So I have nothing better to do! ;D

Woke up to snow today!!!!!!! S*& o# a b*^%#!!!!!!!! >

Not sure if anyone has posted this before, but I found it funny as heck and wanted to share. Just follow the directions and click your way through. Rating: PG 17 Not sure if it's innapropiate for the site, so if that's the case dealete away;) http://joecartoon.atom.com/cartoons/142-joe_fish

Thanks Glenn! PM recieved and returned!

So I decided to take more off the cork handle, as well as completely removing the foregrip. Very excited the about the way it's coming out. I may just have a new favorite rod! One problem though, once I removed the foregrip I noiticed the winding check above the foregrip is wrapped w/the hook keeper, but it's aluminium. Now I'm sure I'll have no problem re-wrapping the keeper once I remove the exsisting wraps, but I'm not sure how to go about removing the alum. check w/o damaging the blank. You suggestions are greatly appreciated and thank you for all the advice so far.