i try to always keep an ultra-lite outfit in my boat.  ..and, since i've begun fishing longer baitcasting & spinning rods, i've been looking for a 7' ultra lite.   ..have NOT been able to find one.

Sooooo, i talked w/andy & he hooked me up w/a "Beautiful" 7 foot CTS extreme ultra-lite blank.  ..and, man, it's as flexible as a buggy whip.  seriously, you can almost touch end to end with it.

well, it makes fishing "FUN" ..a bluegill feels like a whale, but, i've been wondering what a bass would feel like. ....today i found out, it feels Great & the rod just whipped mr bass, big time.

this is a couple of pics of the rod & one of the bass i caught this morning.

and:

and, mr bass:

Ronnie,

Very nice work.....It gets a 10!!!

Don't you just love bass on really light stuff, I do..... 8-)

Tight Lines!!!!

nice rod! i have been thinking about making a rod for a while now, and might have to now, so in, i will have to get another reel nice bass too, it looks like a pretty nice one for an ultra litem i bet that was fun! nice job

aaron

Ronnie,

Very nice work.....It gets a 10!!!

Don't you just love bass on really light stuff, I do..... 8-)

Tight Lines!!!!

thanks for the kind words, i really appreciate them.   i know, however, that a novice rodbuilder doesn't even know what it takes to be a "10" rod.  Your years of experience have taught you things that you do automatically, that i don't even know how to do.  i just want to enjoy trying, enjoy building rods that will bring happiness to those who use them.

my grand-daughter & i went fishing one day last month & caught 29 bass.  there were no giants, but, we had a blast catching them...all on topwater.  So, that led to me building her a rod.   i built it using threads of her favorite colors to wrap the guides & then put her name on it.  She's as proud of that rod as she would have been of a new car (almost! LOL)

so, i get the joy of building them, & they get the happiness of using "their" own fishing rod ....pretty cool.

you & flechero have really been an encouragement.  ...come on down here to where the "pore people" live & i'll take you out amongst them!  Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

you & flechero have really been an encouragement. ...come on down here to where the "pore people" live & i'll take you out amongst them!

I'm glad that I was able to contribute to your rod building... whether it's a few words of encouragement or an actual tip... reelmech and many others helped me out in the beginning and I hope that I can pass along the same.

Now, I think you are just fooling about the poor people.... because brother, there are few people alive that can stretch a dollar like good ol' flechero!! ;D I get an "allowance" each payday which covers anything related to fishing, hunting, archery, rodbuilding, and any other activity I enjoy. There is not enough so I have to really work to make ends meet!! My saving grace this year was actually my shoulder surgery... I got to save my allowance for 5 months... which gave me a lump sum to kick start this recreational year with!! ...lol (and that's how I ended up with CTS blanks and new 50 MG's. )

Now, if you will allow one small suggestion... you owe it to yourself to use some of Andy's exotic burl on your next build! I won't even consider traditional cork anymore. And since I'm a budget builder, his cork cost less than good quality, regular cork.

Keep up the good work!!

Very Nice Rod!!!,it is fun to take the little one's out and wet a line, wish ours were closer so we could do it more often.I do have a request...what Mdl#is the rod blank, and is that marbeling I see?(our computer screen is not the best)a run down on the parts you used would be great also....Thanks,Alan

hey flech,

it must be true, great minds must think alike --- i've got the burl in the shop,  waiting on the next build!!!!

andy called me a few minutes ago to check on a few things & we were talking about the new cts blanks he's getting.  ..they'll be a lot less expensive & are supposed to maintain the quality..we'll see.

i think i'm going to build a 7'6" frog rod next.  George Roth is really talking up a lamiglas blank w/telescoping handle (his is actually 8').   ..i think that's too much for me to handle.   ..you got any suggestions??

-------------islandfisherman

thanks bro - as for the model, it's a CTS elite blank.  really pricey for an ultra lite, but it's the only one i could find w/the characteristics i wanted.

lightweight fuji guides installed with the "new concept", graphite fuji reel seat, & yes, the split grip is marbled silver & blue.  ..the rod itself is blue & i used blue, silver & black thread.  it's actually a very plain rod, but, it fishes Phenomonal!

Hey Ronnie,

That is a great looking rod!  Nice bass too! I have been thinking of a one piece fly rod blank to make an ultra lite spinning rod.  I am starting my list of rod projects for the coming winter. This is something I have been thinking about for a while. Keep them pretty rods coming!

Ronnie

Hey that design looks familia ~.  Nice rod there Justtrying .  Thats the ONLY way to build a spinning rod in my opinion .  If thats your first rod that is an EXCELLENT job!

Tee.

Ronnie,

The more I think about this, the more I want to build a 7' ultra lite. For blanks, so far I found a Loomis GL3 and a St. Croix SCIII at the 'Mud Hole' for $80 and $55 respectively.

I know this will sound dumb, but who is Andy? - and where did you get the details on the 'CTS' blank. Specs., etc.

Thanks for getting me going on this.

Ronnie