popping rods

[mmarkey]

Last weekend at the Charlotte show my wife won a Lamiglass Popping rod 7' - 3 piece blank.

This is a quality blank that retails for over a $100 but I don't know how to build it.

I think it is designed to be either a crank bait rod or spinning rod. I don't think it is suitable for a fly rod.

Anyone know anything about popping rods? :confused:

[GonetoSeed]

Popping rods were first developed for SW guys to chase Reds and Speckled Trout, especially Gulf coast guys. They have a mod/fast action with a soft tip so that you can cast live shrimp under a popping cork and not fling the shrimp off on the cast. Because of this "softer" action, a lot of bass anglers have started using them for crank baits and other reaction baits. The tip will give and not rip the bait out of the fish's lips when it is slammed. The rod can be built as either a casting or a spinning rod (the blank doesn't know where which way the reel seat is oriented). It would be possible to set it up as a fly rod, but a 7' 10 weight would have limited uses :) .

Here is a rod set up for spinning that I completed a few weeks ago built on a 7' 3 power (medium) Rainshadow. It is for an angler that chases Reds and Specks around Charleston.

http://www.rodbuilding.org/photopos...p_seat_side.JPG

btw if you don't have a need for a popping/crankbait rod, if you contact Todd Vivian at Lamiglass and let him know, he might swap it for another blank of comparable price. The Lamiglass 7' 3wt Appalachian Traveler is imo great rod for fly fishing N GA. Not knowing the which popping blank you won, I don't know comparable pricing, but it would be worth asking. Todd is a great guy.

[mmarkey]

GTS
Thanks for the reply.

The link you gave bumped me to the main message board. Was it supposed to go somewhere else?

The rod is a IM700 series. Model IMP844-3, 7', 3 piece, 8-14 lb,
The price at Mudhole is $114. It's black natural graphite finish.

I was interested in building a spinning rod from this, it looks like it would make a nice one. I had in mind using those Blue ceramic with blue anodized reel seat. Do you think this is going to make an unacceptable final configuration?

Do you know where I can get some specs on building spinning rods, Guide spacing, sizes and count, etc?

[GonetoSeed]

Let's try this. It's the rod under the post - The Darkside:

http://www.rodbuilding.org/photopost/data/507/grip_seat_side.JPG

I think this blank would build into a sweet Bass/Inshore travel rod. I've built with the American Tackle Blue Zirconias. I think they dress up the rod, plus they are excellent guides - light, hard, slick. Dang near SIC, but a lot less expensive.

There is almost as many theories for spinning guide sizing and placement as there is for fly rods - almost. The hot set-up is the Fuji New Concept System. Here's a primer:
http://www.rodbuilding.org/library/newguide.html This is a highly way that is highly specific to the rod/reel combination. Most of us don't dedicate a specific reel or even know what reel may be used on a rod. So I actually use an easier variation on the New Concept developed my Rich Forhan who build rods for tournament anglers. It was in an article in Rod Maker magazine. When you get close to deciding on number and size of guides I can share what he recommends.

All the other things about building a spinning rod are the same basics as a fly rod.

[mmarkey]

GTS
thanks again. That's an awesome looking rod, I was kind of thinking in that line with the grip and reel seat. Before I get around to ordering parts I'll bump you again.