Where can I get some cheap blanks to practice on? Like bottom of the barrel cheap.

Batson has some entry level blanks, but the CRB lone from Mudhole are really inexpensive and not bad at all.

If you contact a retailer of ours, there is a discontinued blank list that we have. Many are very inexpensive, but also very nice!! 

Cheapest and best practice is to strip down a rod you no longer use and rebuild it. Everyone has some crap leaning in the corner. I have a whole garbage can of broken pieces parts sitting there for practice and repairs.

Cheapest and best practice is to strip down a rod you no longer use and rebuild it. Everyone has some crap leaning in the corner. I have a whole garbage can of broken pieces parts sitting there for practice and repairs.

I would but our house burnt down and took a lot of my stuff with it.

Try some yard sales. Spring coming, lots of folks cleaning out their garages. There may be an Avid out there waiting for you!

Thank you all for the replies. I found someone down the road that will hook me up for cheap.

Mudhole will have blanks that are like $10 each but you have to buy like 3 of them at a time.

 

Allen

I say if you're gonna take the time to build a rod, even if it's your 1st build, make it something you're gonna want to use. Way to much trouble to strip down a garbage rod. Check out the Rainshadow Revelation spinning blanks. Cheap enough yet something you'll put to use. Just take your time with the wraps and epoxy. No need to rush.

try e-bay

I dunno, I'm probably in the minority here, but I wouldn't buy cheap rods to practice on.  You can buy a nice blank and do just fine your first time.  As long as you go slow and don't try anything too fancy you'll be ok.  It's not as hard as it looks, it just takes patience.

I dunno, I'm probably in the minority here, but I wouldn't buy cheap rods to practice on.  You can buy a nice blank and do just fine your first time.  As long as you go slow and don't try anything too fancy you'll be ok.  It's not as hard as it looks, it just takes patience.

 

 

I agree.  I would buy a kit.  Mud Hole has them starting at $70.  That's a good blank, handle kit, reel seat, and guides.  That's what I did and still have and use several of them 10 years later.

I can get decent blanks down the road for cheap. I will build a few for my mom, nephew, etc. before I tackle my own project. Just to get a good idea on my strong and weak points. I'm not much into anything too fancy, but I want them to look as good as possible so a few practice rods couldn't hurt.

I kind of disagree with buying a cheap blank for first build. Why not get a good blank something your going to use, practice wrapping just don't epoxy it in. When you like what you see wrap it epoxy it and fish it.

Trust me, its not that hard to build a basic rod.  Get something you want to fish.  My first rod is a bit of an eye sore, but it still catches the heck out of fish and I'm glad I didn't skimp.

I kind of disagree with buying a cheap blank for first build. Why not get a good blank something your going to use, practice wrapping just don't epoxy it in. When you like what you see wrap it epoxy it and fish it.

Wrapping isn't the hard part. Finishing is what always trips up beginners. Why booger up a $100+ blank with a bad finish job, only to strip it down and risk taking the paint off or gouging it. Practice on dowel rods if nothing else is available. That's what a lot of people that do decorative wraps practice on.