Anyone tried one of these? I’m tempted to order one just to try it out.
http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/fiberglass-rod-blanks/029710400009.aspx
Have built maybe half a dozen of the Diamond Glass blanks, and have maybe that many more to build. Find it hard to get beyond DG!!! ('cept now I’m going to have to!! they’ve discontinued the blanks!!)
Curious to see what you think, and how they build up!
I think several folks over on the fiberglass fly rodders forum have built them. I’ve been tempted too. I don’t need one, but I AM curious about them.
I have built a ton of them; not on that particular blank; mostly on the SPG-720 and 780 one piece fiberglass spin blanks, which are much lighter than that particular blank. I named the rods i built with them “Tadpoles” and there are a number of pics over on fiberglass fly rodders. The 720 and the 780 blanks are cut and either fiberglass spigot ferrules or the metal ferrules attached. The rods turn out as 3/4 and 4/5 weights; some 5/6 weights. They are great fishing little rods, especially for bream and warmwater fish. The blanks are inexpensive but fish like more expensive rods. They have nice flex tips and moderate butt strength and cast surprise you as to the distance you can cast a line. They are ideal for the beginning rod buider because the blanks are so inexpensive. By using a butt extension the 780 and the 720 blanks can be built in sizes ranging from 5’6" to 7’3"-p-
I broke down and ordered one today. If it works, we might have a good foundation for another rod swap. This one will probably go to my youngest son to learn on if it turns out to be decent.
These are $17.+ ? and 3 for $40.+? How can you loose?
That’s what I was thinking. And they have been getting pretty decent reviews on the fiberglass forum that lotech referred me to. Looks like a good 6 weight when they are done.
Dang, order me one or two, I’m good for it:cool:
Just curious … did you get one (two or three)??? You’ve certainly piqued my interest!
I just ordered 1, but I sure would have got a few extras if I’d known there was interest. But, I’ll get this one in, and if it is as good as it sounds, perhaps a mass order is called for. Maybe we can get an even better deal if we buy 10.
Would anyone be up for another rod swap? :mrgreen:
BTW, I’m wondering if this one might be too heavy for my youngest to learn on. I think a fiberglass 6 weight might be the perfect companion to my FTL 6 weight and he can use my other tadpole from the swap. I do have some extra burl cork rings sitting around waiting for a project…
Are we up for another swap? Darn straight!! Any time!!!
Where did you see a weight for this rod blank? I found the line weight, the butt size, the tip size, but not the weight weight. My 8’ 6# fiberglass rod isn’t any (read: much) heavier than the graphite one of the same line weight and length.
I think this one would be swap worthy!!!
I didn’t see a weight for the blank itself. I was working on the assumption that a 8’ 6 or 7 weight would be a lot tougher for the little guy to cast for any length of time as opposed to a 6’6" 4 or 5 weight.
.426 butt…? Isn’t that kind of big?..almost a 1/2"
or is that normal for fiberglass?
Big butts are the norm in the world of fiberglass. Pac bay dl5/ul5 and Anglers workshop ADD reel seats will fit a .426 butt. For a little more coin many of the REC reel seats will work and they will bore out the wood to .438 for a couple extra pesos. With a little hand reaming Struble D8, D1 and D3 will work also. If your feeling loose with your money the Bellinger dl720 will work and looks quite beautiful.
Those are some of the reel seats I’ve used on fiberglass blanks.
I use aluminum seats. Their IDs are large, and will fit most anything out there. Batson and PacBay’s number is A16 (retail lists $5.50). I also use the A7 style.
Big butts are the norm in the world of fiberglass.
Sir Mix-a-lot would approve.
(Sorry…couldnt resist!)
I got it in, and it doesn’t feel too bad. But then again, what can you actually learn from wiggling a blank around? :rolleyes: