S Hovanec

I want to build another one already. St. Croix is making this blank in their Forest Green Pearl for 2016. I'll keep it the OEM length, and eliminate the winding checks and decorative butt cap, to cut down on the weight. Was a bit disappointed in the other one when I put it on the scale. I should have expected it though being I used the aluminum winding checks and butt cap. Like I said before, you can never have too many DS rods on deck.

I have had to be paged multiple times ,when dinner was ready, on more than one occasion. I guess when I finished one guide, I'd forget to go up and I would start another!

Nope. Kigan XLA. They are stamped like a guide, not bent wire. I used those original DSWK's when I first started building. I thought they were great til people started returning rods because they rusted. They replaced the ones on the rods that came back rusted, but wouldn't replace the unused ones I had in inventory.

I picked up a nice box of Fuji stuff from when they got rid of their regional reps. When I need something old for a repair, I can usually find it in there.

One like this is great for many applications.

Was a nice morning on the big pond. Fish weren't cooperating tho. On an aside, this is why you buy good electronics. That's a 1/4oz weight with a 4" shad shape worm above. Some bait and what I assume are steelhead. They were busting all around, but they had lockjaw too.

Not yet. This week. Was waiting for the right size reelseat. This has to be done and delivered in 2 weeks or so.

Or like this. I like this location for dropshot, jigs and T-rigged plastics and your location for treble baits.

With all of the manufacturers using split grips on most of their models, I don't know why they don't mount the hook keep behind the rear grip. It's out of the way and easily accessible.

Took the boat for a nice drag down to the launch and back. Too windy and bumpy for my liking. Stopped at Walnut and took the pups for a walk on the beach. Maybe we'll get to float the boat in the morning. Back to camp for more construction!

Didn't get to break it in yesterday. Today.......no better. Maybe tomorrow or Tuesday!

I build til I can't see the bench, then I put everything away and start over! Once I can't find stuff that's right under my nose, I feel it's time to organize!

I understand cursed rods. Had a few of them myself.

My favorite setup, currently, is a Stradic 2500MGFB on a SCV 6'9" MLXF with TiSiC guides and a split Tennessee grip. Spooled with 15/4 Tuffline and a 6# Inviz-X leader. It is the best dropshot rod I've ever had in my hand. I just gave that one to my wife cause I have a new one, which i haven't fished yet. It is a TwinPower 2500HGS on a SCV 6'10" MLXF extended to 7' with Ti/Torzite guides and split Tennessee grip. It is spooled up the same as the other one.

Maybe I'll try that this weekend with my new SCV!

Baitcast Finesse System. I didn't know what it meant til about a month ago. In my mind, I was just going to build a ML baitcaster! Now there's a label for it.

Never gave much thought to the label, but I guess you could say I have a BFS build slated for myself when I find some free time! It is an old SCIV Inshore 4SW70MLF from before they were discontinued and reintroduced a couple years ago. Want it for weightless plastics and Slender Pointers.

http://postcalc.usps.com/ Good luck with the recycled cardboard tube. I've had no success getting rods to my destination in one piece using cardboard. All I use now is PVC.

I store them in the original bags in Cabela's electronics storage bags. I have a few of them. one for tubes, one for dropshot baits, one for sticks & creatures, one for my electronics!

The reel was purchased in the spring in anticipation of the rod. It has been patiently waiting in it's box. Now they're together! TwinPower 2500HGS with St. Croix SCV 7' MLXF

You would need to get the smaller rings to hold the lighter reel. The 23mm may work. These are the 25mm. If you turn the cork and leave a snug fit for the ring, there is no need to tape the reel.

Yea. One of the few pits in this batch of cork. Didn't notice it til I took the pics. I typically don't fill unless they are really bad.

I must admit, now that I put the reel on it, I got a little spark back. Line and leader are on and threaded through the guides.

I've been trying to build me a new dropshot rod for the better part of 2 years. For one reason or another, things kept coming up and it would get put back on the rack for later. Back in the spring when I glued up the grip, I even went and ordered a reel for it. I was really excited to get back to working on it last week and put the final coat of finish on it last night.. Now that it's done, it just doesn't trip my trigger anymore. It excited me more when it was a concept and in pieces all over my shop than it does now that it's finished. Anyway, here's what I'm not excited about. The reel. The rod. Specs: Blank: St. Croix 5S610MLXF extended to 7' Guides: Fuji Torzite Hook Keep: Kigan XLA Decal: Decal Connection (black over silver) Slip Rings: PacBay Thread:Makoi charcoal main wrap, Gudebrod silver and glitzy gold metallic trim and inlay Butt Cap: Mudhole Winding checks: Mudhole