I'm looking into having a BFS rod built. I already have a soft CDM rod kingdom stream king for doing super light stuff and creeks. What I'm looking for is another rod that not as soft and has backbone to it. Ill be either fishing from the bank or wading. I'd like to cast up around 2g to 10g if possible. This will be a jerkbait, jigs,nedrig, bladed jig, crankbait, topwater and all the plastics in between kind of rod The reel i have for this the Shimano CALCUTTA CONQUEST BFS 2023. Since its a bank rod under 6 foot is preferable. I've been talking to Bill Falconer at anglersresource about it and having him build it. I mostly target bass both small and large mouth. The occasional musky, walleye, catfish, snakehead. Just wanted your guys opinions. 

Sounds like a fun project. I don’t know the gent you mention, so if you’re going custom just make sure the guy knows BFS rods and what you want.  It is one thing to build a custom rod (and that’s fine if you know your specifics well enough) but it is another to rely on a custom builder’s experience to guide you.  So just make sure you’re getting what you need.

 

What you’re looking for (2-10g, or 1/16-5/16 oz) can be had in a factory for if that’s what you want instead.  

First off, dope reel.   

 

If you didn't already have the reel I would ask are you really sure you want a BFS combo.

 

I'm no BFS expert but some of the things you are looking to throw, and some of the fish you occasionally catch makes me "worried".

 

But once again, I'm NO expert.

 

I do know we have similar taste, if I ever get into BFS, that's the exact reel I'm looking at.

The OP is a little vague. What are you looking for opinions on? Bill is major player in the rod building world. I haven’t seen his work I person but I’ve read and heard enough from him to believe he knows what he’s doing and 1000% legit. He’s a builder whose advice you can trust imo. If you’d like to discuss future projects I d be glad to. 

I know Bill is a major player in the Rod building arena and knows what hes talking about. That's why I've chosen him for the build.  Primarily I'm targeting large and small mouth bass. There is just other species around.  I'm fishing the Susquehanna right by Harrisburg.  I think I'm looking for a medium light action with a fast tip.  Mostly looking for a rod with more backbone for using single hook rigs ie neko, neds, micro chatterbaits and such. 

I have built a couple for BFS and have come to the conclusion that the "group-think" about using ultra light power blanks is wrong-you want a CCS power number (ERN) about 11-13, not less than 10 as many ultra light rods are.  Longer is better for casting distance, and I wouldn't go 6 feet unless you are really concerned about avoiding brush.  Less than 10 will make it hard to handle substantial fish and gives poor hook sets.

 

My favorite right now is the Rainshadow Immortal spin walleye blank IMMWS72ML.  If Bill is going to use one of his new Katana blanks, then I would consider the PBK691LMF light power moderate fast action (6 ft 9 in) or the PBlKT701LMF (7 ft), both moderate fast actions.  I didn't go with the medium lights because I know most Point Blanks historically have been more powerful than the subjective power descriptions.  And I know the Katana PBKT701MLF has an ERN of about 19, which is what most would consider medium power, and is much too powerful for BFS.  I expect the new light power Katanas will come in at less than 15 ERN but so far have no data. 

 

I can't wait to get further into the Katanas; Point Blanks are my favorite high end blanks. 

 

Worth a long discussion with Bill.  He and I have discussed this, so he knows where I stand-feel free to mention this discussion to him. 

I have been discussing this with Bill he had me set on A CTS P2000 Blank at 5'9".

When I think of BSF Bulldog1935 comes to mind. Short rod the most important component next to the blank is the rod handle design.

Gary Loomis Edge rods in the Blackwidow series offers rods with 1/16-3/8 oz drip shot series that meets your goals.

Gary’s primary rod business today is suppling rod blanks to custom builds, his off the shelf rods suffer delivery as a result. Your rod builder could contact Gary for the perfect rod blank for your needs.

Tom

 

There is no perfect rod blank since preferences vary.  My first rod was 6 feet built under Bill's guidance, and while it handled very well, was so underpowered that hook sets were a problem.  I would ask CTS what the CCS numbers are on the P2000.  If it's under 10, it would not meet my preferences, but would Bill's. 

 

BFS is a conflict between low enough power to load properly on the cast and powerful enough to handle decent sized fish and to get good hook sets.  I think we all agree that actions should be mod or mod-fast, the the power and length is where the disagreements over preferences come.

 

Would be nice to know the numbers and to try some stuff out before investing a lot of money.  I have a nice 6 foot rod that I'll never use and could sell.

 

Can you give me a web site that shows and describes the CTS P2000?  I can't find anything.  thanks

I think this is the one Bill is planning on using.   It's under CTS inshore Air blanks. 

I respectfully point out that that blank doesn't come in 5-9 length.  Cutting it off from the butt?  AO2 model?  

 

Bill is good, but I admit I don't see where this is coming from or going.  But if you are pleased, that's all that counts. 

 

Still, would really be nice to know the CCS numbers on the blank as made, and as altered.   It's really not that hard to do.  I wonder what Turbo Taper means?  

 

I'll butt out. 

3 minutes ago, MickD said:

I wonder what Turbo Taper means?  

 

 

I know nothing about rod building, but I can cut and paste pretty good. 

 

 

 

CTS TurboTaper™ is a turbo-charge design concept to create a more dynamic, faster rod with exceptional power.

 

Aptly named the ‘turbo’ because it delivers extra power when needed, the TurboTaper™ is a CTS innovation that speeds up a rod taper, injecting more power in the butt of the rod, while keeping the tip area nice and agile.

I know that was a horrible screen shot. Let me talk to Bill again and get more info. I was at work when I sent the screen shot, sorry.   Too mention yes the blank would be cut down off the butt. 6ft is my limit for length. Or alittle shorter.  Most of the places I fish length isn't an issue. But there are some places that pretty tight.  An definitely have had issues with length before.  

You going to acid wrap it?

15 hours ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

CTS innovation that speeds up a rod taper, injecting more power in the butt of the rod, while keeping the tip area nice and agile.

Sounds a lot like an extra fast action.  I think rod blank advertising is written by the same folks who write wine labels.  Some fly rods even have "soul."  Rod action descriptions, fast-moderate-slow etc were developed as a description of the tapers on bamboo rods, fly I believe.  Meaning fast taper, slow taper, etc.

 

With all the new blanks from Point Blank I would think one of them would work very well.

I'm still leaning alot when it comes to rod building. Mick, I emailed Bill. He said he will let you know in good time. He is still waiting on the blanks to come in.