S Hovanec

Depends on the series. Batson blanks range from $12 for some rx6 models to $100 and up for some of the RX8+ models.

As much as I hate them, Minimas or Recoils will fit the bill. Just make sure you use a ceramic tip. Fuji KT single foot would be as rigid as any double foot you'd use and the KB guides are even more stout.

rod. Pole is my nails on the chalkboard word. Poles are long things, typically cane or fiberglass, with an 'eye' on the end where you tie the 'string'. On a bit of an aside. That retirement rod I posted the pics of last month.....they kept calling it a POLE. It was hard to let that one go, but I did.

Breaks that close to the tip are difficult to do properly and the rod is never the same again. What I do is cut the rod back to remove all of the damaged fibers and install a new tip. Sometimes you have to remove one of the running guides if the new tip is too close.

You really should. I went to my first in 2007. Loved it, but wasn't able to go back til 2010. Been to all since, working for Karen at the Bingham Booth.

Do you go to the ICRBE??

For me, its the ability to have a grip with a larger OD than is available with normal reel seats. For others, it allows them to place the reel where they want to achieve the balance they prefer.

I only use mono on my topwater rod. I use fluorocarbon on my crankbait rod. Braid + leader for everything else.

I really want to try the carbon skinned, but haven't made the leap. I don't need another thing to occupy more time that I don't have! I may get a set at the ICRBE this year. Had a set in my hand last year but didn't pull the trigger. Went to the booth too late and didn't like any of the colors he had left in the style I wanted.

42. And I have one on a dropshot rod and one on my centerpin rod. Soon to have 3 more bass rods with them.

I prefer cork, but I have done some work with Hydra's high density EVA. It's the hardest EVA I've ever seen. It has a real nice feel.....but it's still not cork!!

Plan on switching out my green PowerPro for a hi-viz in the spring. Would like to try the blue.

Brackish won't harm either as long as you rinse the rod with fresh water after your outings. Both rods have stainless framed guides and are equally susceptible to rusting.

Avid 6'6" M/F spinning is rated for 6-12# line and 3/16-5/8oz lure Tidemaster 6'6" M/F spinning is rated for 8-17# line and 3/8-3/4oz lure. It's about 1 power heavier than the Avid. Would probably compare to a MH Avid. All of the saltwater St. Croix's I've played with are heavier than the freshwater blanks of the same labeled power. for example, I use a 5s69mlxf for dropshop and a 5s68mxf for tubes. There is a very large gap between those 2 powers. The 5SW70MLF or the 4SW70MLF fills that gap in my line-up.

Unless there is something specific you want in the Tidemaster that isn't available in the Avid, I'd go with the Avid. Avid uses SCIII graphite as opposed to SCII in the Tidemaster. Also, the Avid has better guides. One other thing to consider: A Medium power in the Avid will not equal a Medium power in the Tidemaster.

If anyone remembers the Villain pics I posted a while back....The Aetos has those same high quality guides, LOL!! I'd never pay what they're asking for an import with components like that. Disclaimer: I am a big St. Croix fan, so I might be a bit biased.

That is a 9' 9wt. fly rod I built to donate for an event, I didn't have a fly reel to put on it to photograph the rod, so I just put my float reel on it.

Sometimes, yes. Most of the time......NO. I think shape and size play a bigger role than color. I'm trying to get down to 3 basic colors. Greens, grays and browns. I'm a little overboard right now as I have probably 15 or so different shades of watermelon and 10 or so different browns. I have a problem!

I love the Islander. Got it years ago when the silver color was a limited run. I have an email from them saying it was one of the first dozen or so made in silver.

I bought the 15' Avid blank a few years ago. I was appauled by how heavy it was. Ended up selling it without even building it. It was heavier than my built 13' Talon ITM. Croix discontinued the Avid float series for 2015. My guess would be due to the weight.My Islander. This isn't the rod I use. I just put it on this rod so I could photograph the rod.

I hook the weight in this and then spin the line around the rod a few times and hook the line on the opposite side of the stripper guide. It keeps the hook and line pined against the blank.

Weight keepers like this make life much easier.

I like the pencil style finesse weights. Lightest I use is 1/4 for up to 15-20' and up to 2.5oz for deep water in heavy waves. I make them myself. For hooks, I prefer Owner Mosquitos. Had issues with the Gammie DS hooks breaking. Favorite worms are Crosstail Shads, Shad shape worms, Roboworm Sculpins and some custom pours my friend makes. I usually start with my hook 18-24" from the weight but have fished as much as 4' and down to as little as 6". You gotta let the fish tell you what they want. I have a variety of ML rods I use. My favorite is a 6'9" ML/XF St Croix/2500 Stradic Mg. It is spooled with 10/2 Powerpro and a 18' leader of 6# PLine Halo. The long leader allows for multiple reties and breakoffs without the need to tie a new leader. Also, the connecting knot is on the reel when fish get close to the boat.

Not a single local store carries what I use. When I'm in Erie, Field & Stream has some stuff I can buy. Tackle Warehouse gets an order from me every other year when I get low on Cross Tails. Other than that, I have a friend locally that pours custom stuff. Trying to get to a point where I use his stuff exclusively. Almost there.

All finished. Thanks for allowing me to document this build on the forums. Stay tuned. I may do a little more in-depth photojournal when I have time to build mine!